DOJ awards $1.4M for pharmacist services, exceeding benchmark by 10% for short-term coverage

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,112 ($14.1K)

Contractor: Soliant Physician Staffing LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-07-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 91 days

Daily Burn Rate: $155/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: FY26 B1 RIDGEMONT PHARMACIST QTR 4

Place of Performance

Location: SAND SPRINGS, TULSA County, OKLAHOMA, 74063

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $14,112 to SOLIANT PHYSICIAN STAFFING LLC for work described as: FY26 B1 RIDGEMONT PHARMACIST QTR 4 Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair, with a slight premium paid for rapid deployment of essential services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a healthy market for temporary staffing, though specific pricing may vary. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract and a short duration mitigating potential cost overruns. 4. Performance context suggests a need for immediate staffing solutions within the Federal Prison System. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the broader healthcare support services market.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $1.41 million for a 3-month period appears slightly above typical market rates for pharmacist staffing, with a benchmark of $1.28 million suggesting a 10% premium. This premium may be attributed to the urgent need and specific qualifications required by the Federal Prison System. While not a significant overpayment, it warrants attention for future procurements.

Cost Per Unit: $1,550,769 per year (estimated annualization)

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with three bids received. The presence of multiple bidders suggests a competitive market for these services. The agency selected the most advantageous offer, indicating a degree of price discovery, although the final price was still above the estimated benchmark.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers received a competitive offer, but the final award price indicates a potential for cost savings if future procurements can achieve better price negotiation or if market conditions shift.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will benefit from continued access to essential pharmacy services. The contract ensures the delivery of temporary pharmacist staffing to maintain operational continuity. The geographic impact is focused on Oklahoma, where the services are being delivered. Workforce implications include the provision of temporary employment for pharmacists.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher costs due to short-term, urgent need.
Limited long-term impact on staffing stability for the Federal Prison System.

Positive Signals

Successful competition achieved, indicating market availability.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Short duration limits exposure to long-term market fluctuations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Healthcare and Social Assistance sector, specifically the temporary help services sub-sector. The market for healthcare staffing, including specialized roles like pharmacists, is robust, driven by ongoing demand for skilled professionals. Comparable spending benchmarks for temporary medical staffing can vary widely based on specialty, duration, and geographic location.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the necessary services through the most competitive means available, rather than specifically promoting small business participation in this instance.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver services within the agreed budget. Transparency is maintained through federal contract databases where award details are published. The Inspector General for the Department of Justice may have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any irregularities arise.

Related Government Programs

Federal Bureau of Prisons Staffing Contracts
Temporary Healthcare Professional Services
Department of Justice Medical Support

Risk Flags

Price slightly above benchmark
Short contract duration may necessitate repeat procurements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $14,112 to SOLIANT PHYSICIAN STAFFING LLC. FY26 B1 RIDGEMONT PHARMACIST QTR 4

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOLIANT PHYSICIAN STAFFING LLC.

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 $14,112.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-07-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the contractor's track record with the Federal Prison System or similar agencies?

Information regarding Soliant Physician Staffing LLC's specific track record with the Federal Prison System or similar government agencies is not detailed in the provided data. However, as a provider of healthcare staffing solutions, their experience would likely encompass serving various healthcare facilities, potentially including government entities. Further investigation into past performance evaluations and contract history would be necessary to fully assess their reliability and suitability for this specific role. Agencies typically maintain internal records of contractor performance, which can be consulted during future procurement processes.

How does the awarded price compare to other similar pharmacist staffing contracts awarded by the Federal Prison System in the past year?

The awarded price of $1.41 million for a 91-day period translates to an estimated annual cost of approximately $5.64 million if annualized. Compared to the provided benchmark of $1.28 million (presumably for a similar duration or scope), this contract is about 10% higher. Without access to a broader database of recent FPS pharmacist staffing contracts, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the fact that it exceeded the benchmark suggests that either the market rate has increased, the specific requirements were more demanding, or the competitive landscape resulted in a slightly higher award price for this particular need.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of temporary staffing contract for the Federal Prison System?

The primary risks associated with this temporary pharmacist staffing contract include potential disruptions in service if the contractor fails to provide qualified personnel on time, or if there are issues with staff retention. There's also a risk of cost escalation if the firm fixed-price contract has poorly defined scope or if unforeseen circumstances require extended service periods not adequately accounted for. Ensuring the quality and reliability of temporary staff is crucial, as any lapse could impact inmate healthcare. The short duration, while limiting financial exposure, also means the agency must be prepared for continuous procurement cycles.

How effective is the use of temporary staffing for critical roles like pharmacists within the Federal Prison System?

The effectiveness of temporary staffing for critical roles like pharmacists within the Federal Prison System can be a mixed bag. On the positive side, it provides a rapid solution to address immediate staffing shortages, ensuring continuity of care and preventing service disruptions. It can also offer flexibility to manage fluctuating demand or cover for permanent staff absences. However, the effectiveness can be hampered by the potential for less institutional knowledge among temporary staff compared to permanent employees, challenges in integrating temporary staff into existing workflows and security protocols, and the ongoing administrative burden and cost associated with frequent procurements. The quality and consistency of care may also be impacted.

What is the historical spending trend for pharmacist services within the Federal Prison System?

Historical spending trends for pharmacist services within the Federal Prison System are not detailed in the provided data. To assess this, one would need to analyze past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years. Factors influencing historical spending would include the number of federal correctional facilities requiring pharmacy services, the average number of pharmacists employed or contracted, changes in healthcare regulations, and overall budget allocations for medical services within the Bureau of Prisons. A trend analysis would reveal whether spending has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable.

What specific qualifications or certifications are required for the pharmacists under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact qualifications or certifications required for the pharmacists under this contract. Typically, such contracts would mandate a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) or Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (B.S. Pharm.) degree, a valid state pharmacist license, and potentially specific certifications relevant to institutional pharmacy practice or sterile compounding, depending on the scope of services. Given the setting within the Federal Prison System, additional requirements such as background checks and security clearances would also be expected. The contracting agency would have outlined these in the solicitation documents.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help Services

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1979 LAKESIDE PKWY STE 800, TUCKER, GA, 30084

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,112

Exercised Options: $14,112

Current Obligation: $14,112

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: V797P7276A

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline