DOJ's $3.99M Urinalysis Testing Kit Contract Awarded to Phamatech, Inc. for Federal Prison System

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,990 ($4.0K)

Contractor: Phamatech, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: FY26 E3 - URINALYSIS TESTING KITS

Place of Performance

Location: SALTERS, WILLIAMSBURG County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29590

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $3,990 to PHAMATECH, INCORPORATED for work described as: FY26 E3 - URINALYSIS TESTING KITS Key points: 1. Contract aims to ensure accurate and reliable urinalysis testing within federal correctional facilities. 2. The award is a single call against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), suggesting a streamlined procurement process. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. 4. The contract duration of one year aligns with the need for ongoing supply of essential testing materials. 5. The specific product code (334516) indicates a focus on analytical laboratory instrumentation, which includes testing kits. 6. The award to Phamatech, Inc. represents a significant investment in inmate health and security monitoring.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.99 million for urinalysis testing kits appears reasonable given the scale of the Federal Prison System. Without specific details on the number of kits or unit prices, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract helps control costs. Benchmarking against similar contracts for medical supplies within correctional settings would provide further insight into value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. As a call against an existing BPA, the initial competition for the BPA likely established a competitive baseline. The specific number of bidders for this particular call is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive environment was sought.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best pricing.

Public Impact

Federal inmates will benefit from accurate and timely urinalysis testing, crucial for health monitoring and security. The Bureau of Prisons will receive essential supplies for its drug interdiction and health surveillance programs. The contract supports the operational needs of federal correctional facilities across the United States. This spending contributes to the healthcare and safety infrastructure within the federal prison system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions if Phamatech, Inc. faces production or logistical issues.
Ensuring the quality and reliability of testing kits over the contract period is critical.
Dependence on a single supplier for a critical testing material could pose a risk if alternatives are not readily available.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the government.
The contract supports a critical function for the Bureau of Prisons, indicating a stable demand.
The use of an existing BPA streamlines the procurement process, potentially reducing administrative burden.

Sector Analysis

The market for analytical laboratory instruments and consumables, including urinalysis testing kits, is a significant segment within the broader healthcare and scientific equipment industry. This contract falls under the manufacturing of analytical laboratory instruments. Spending in this sector is driven by healthcare needs, research, and regulatory compliance across various government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar diagnostic and testing supplies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary focus is on the prime contractor, Phamatech, Inc. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Phamatech utilizes small businesses for any part of its supply chain or operations, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Bureau of Prisons contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected or reported.

Related Government Programs

Federal Bureau of Prisons Medical Services
Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Programs
Federal Inmate Health Services
Analytical Laboratory Supplies Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruption
Quality assurance of testing kits
Dependence on a single supplier

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $3,990 to PHAMATECH, INCORPORATED. FY26 E3 - URINALYSIS TESTING KITS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PHAMATECH, INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,990.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is Phamatech, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly for urinalysis testing kits or similar medical supplies?

Phametech, Inc. has a history of federal contracting, though specific details on prior awards for urinalysis testing kits are not immediately available from the provided data. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases would be necessary to ascertain their complete contract history, including performance ratings, past issues, and the volume of similar supplies previously provided to government agencies. Understanding their experience with large-scale supply contracts and their performance metrics on previous awards is crucial for assessing their reliability in fulfilling this current $3.99 million contract for the Bureau of Prisons.

How does the unit cost of these urinalysis testing kits compare to market rates or similar government contracts?

The provided data does not include the unit cost or quantity of urinalysis testing kits, making a direct comparison to market rates or similar government contracts impossible. To assess value for money, one would need to obtain the specific pricing details from the contract award. Benchmarking would involve researching the average price per kit paid by other federal agencies or state/local governments for comparable products, as well as consulting commercial price lists. Without this granular data, it's difficult to definitively state if this contract represents a competitive price point.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential supply chain disruptions affecting Phamatech, Inc.'s ability to deliver kits on time, quality control issues with the testing kits, and the possibility of price increases if the contract were to be extended or re-competed under different terms. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract management by the Bureau of Prisons, including regular performance reviews, quality assurance checks, and maintaining contingency plans for alternative suppliers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract also mitigates the risk of cost overruns for the government, provided the scope remains unchanged.

How effective are urinalysis testing programs in federal prisons for their stated goals (e.g., drug interdiction, health monitoring)?

Urinalysis testing programs in federal prisons are generally considered an effective tool for drug interdiction and monitoring inmate behavior, contributing to a safer correctional environment. They serve as a deterrent to drug use and can help identify individuals struggling with substance abuse, potentially facilitating access to treatment programs. From a health perspective, these tests can also detect certain medical conditions. However, the overall effectiveness can be influenced by factors such as testing frequency, the types of substances tested for, the accuracy of the kits used, and the subsequent actions taken based on test results. Data on recidivism rates and drug-related incidents within facilities can provide metrics for assessing program effectiveness.

What has been the historical spending trend for urinalysis testing kits or similar supplies by the Federal Prison System?

The provided data focuses on a single FY26 award and does not offer historical spending trends for urinalysis testing kits by the Federal Prison System. To analyze historical spending, one would need to aggregate data from previous fiscal years, looking at contract awards for similar products (e.g., drug testing kits, laboratory consumables) issued by the Bureau of Prisons or the Department of Justice. This would involve examining contract databases to identify patterns in spending volume, average contract values, and the number of awards over time, which could reveal fluctuations or consistent investment in these supplies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL/DENTAL/VETERINARY EQPT/SUPP

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 15BNAS24Q00000006

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 15175 INNOVATION DR, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92128

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,990

Exercised Options: $3,990

Current Obligation: $3,990

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15BNAS24A00000044

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline