DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $2.28M contract for lab supplies to PHAMATECH, INCORPORATED

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,280 ($2.3K)

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: $6/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: FY26 E3 PHAMATECH UA CUPS SUPPLIES QTR 3

Place of Performance

Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92128

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $2,280 to PHAMATECH, INCORPORATED for work described as: FY26 E3 PHAMATECH UA CUPS SUPPLIES QTR 3 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via BPA Call, indicating a pre-negotiated agreement for efficiency. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 3. The contract duration is one year, aligning with typical supply needs. 4. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement. 5. The contract falls under Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing NAICS code. 6. Awarded by the Federal Prison System, serving correctional healthcare needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.28 million for a one-year supply of laboratory instruments and related items appears to be within a reasonable range for federal correctional facilities. Benchmarking against similar contracts for laboratory supplies within the Bureau of Prisons or other federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without specific unit cost data or comparison to market rates for the exact items procured, a definitive assessment of pricing efficiency is challenging. However, the use of a BPA Call suggests some level of pre-negotiated pricing, which can contribute to cost savings.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific mechanism used was a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, which leverages a pre-existing master agreement. While the exact number of bidders for this specific call is not provided, the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive process was intended. This approach generally promotes price discovery and encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it aims to secure the most advantageous pricing by allowing a wide range of potential suppliers to bid, fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are inmates within the Federal Prison System, who will receive essential laboratory services supported by these supplies. The contract ensures the availability of analytical laboratory instruments and supplies for diagnostic and monitoring purposes within correctional facilities. The geographic impact is primarily within federal correctional institutions managed by the Bureau of Prisons. The contract supports the healthcare workforce within these institutions by providing necessary tools for medical staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or quality standards in the provided data.
Potential for price increases in future BPA calls if not actively managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for a year's supply could pose a risk if supply chain issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Utilizes a BPA Call, which can streamline procurement and potentially offer better pricing through pre-negotiated terms.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing sector, which is a critical component of the broader healthcare and scientific industries. This sector involves the production and supply of equipment used for testing, analysis, and research. Federal spending in this area is often driven by the needs of agencies like the Department of Justice (Bureau of Prisons) for diagnostic and health monitoring services. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing aggregate federal outlays for laboratory supplies and equipment across various agencies, with specific attention to correctional healthcare needs.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does the data indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award went to PHAMATECH, INCORPORATED, and without further information on their size status or subcontracting plans, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. Future procurements under the same BPA might include set-aside provisions, but this specific call did not.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Bureau of Prisons contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract terms, including delivery schedules and product specifications. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Medical Services
Bureau of Prisons Healthcare Contracts
Department of Justice Supply Chain Management
Federal Correctional Institution Medical Equipment

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruption
Quality assurance of laboratory instruments
Price volatility in future procurements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $2,280 to PHAMATECH, INCORPORATED. FY26 E3 PHAMATECH UA CUPS SUPPLIES QTR 3

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 $2,280.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is PHAMATECH, INCORPORATED's track record with the federal government, particularly the Bureau of Prisons?

PHAMATECH, INCORPORATED has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily from agencies such as the Department of Justice (Bureau of Prisons) and the Department of Defense. Analysis of federal procurement data indicates they have been awarded contracts for various medical and laboratory supplies. Their performance history with the Bureau of Prisons, specifically for similar analytical laboratory instruments and supplies, would be a key indicator of their reliability and capability. A review of past performance evaluations and any reported issues or successes would provide further insight into their suitability for this contract. Without access to detailed performance metrics for this specific contractor across all their federal awards, a comprehensive assessment is limited, but their continued awards suggest a generally satisfactory performance history.

How does the $2.28 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar laboratory supplies by the Bureau of Prisons?

The $2.28 million contract value for FY26 represents a significant but not necessarily excessive investment for the Bureau of Prisons' laboratory supply needs over a one-year period. To benchmark this value effectively, one would need to compare it against historical spending patterns for similar goods and services procured by the Bureau of Prisons in previous fiscal years. This would involve identifying contracts with comparable scope, duration, and product categories. For instance, if the Bureau previously spent an average of $2 million annually on similar supplies, this award is slightly higher, warranting further investigation into potential reasons such as inflation, increased demand, or expanded service scope. Conversely, if historical spending was significantly higher, this award might represent cost savings. A detailed analysis of the specific items included in the 'CUPS SUPPLIES' category and their unit costs would be crucial for a precise comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential supply chain disruptions affecting PHAMATECH, INCORPORATED's ability to deliver critical laboratory supplies on time, leading to disruptions in inmate healthcare services. Another risk is the potential for price escalation in future procurements if market conditions change unfavorably, despite the firm fixed-price nature of this award. Furthermore, ensuring the quality and reliability of the analytical instruments and supplies is paramount to accurate diagnostics. Mitigation strategies likely involve the Bureau of Prisons' oversight, including monitoring delivery schedules, conducting quality inspections, and maintaining open communication channels with the contractor. The use of a BPA Call may also offer some leverage in addressing issues, as it implies pre-negotiated terms and potentially faster resolution mechanisms. The firm fixed-price structure itself mitigates the risk of cost overruns for the government within the contract period.

How effective is the use of a BPA Call for procuring laboratory supplies for the Federal Prison System?

The use of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call for procuring laboratory supplies for the Federal Prison System is generally an effective strategy for streamlining the acquisition process and potentially achieving better pricing. BPAs are established with vendors to cover a broad range of supplies or services over a period, and a 'call' is an order placed against that BPA. This method reduces the administrative burden and lead time associated with individual contract awards. For the Bureau of Prisons, it allows for quicker access to necessary supplies, which is crucial for maintaining healthcare operations. The effectiveness is further enhanced when the BPA itself was established through full and open competition, ensuring a competitive foundation. The firm fixed-price nature of this specific call adds cost predictability. However, the overall effectiveness also depends on the initial negotiation of the BPA terms and ongoing vendor performance management.

What is the expected impact of this contract on inmate healthcare services within the Bureau of Prisons?

This contract is expected to have a positive and direct impact on inmate healthcare services by ensuring the consistent availability of essential analytical laboratory instruments and supplies. These supplies are critical for performing a wide range of diagnostic tests, monitoring patient health, and managing various medical conditions within correctional facilities. Reliable access to these resources enables medical staff to make informed treatment decisions, detect diseases early, and provide appropriate care, thereby contributing to the overall health and well-being of the inmate population. The timely procurement facilitated by this contract helps prevent potential delays in medical procedures or diagnoses that could negatively affect patient outcomes. Ultimately, this contract supports the Bureau of Prisons' mission to provide adequate medical care to federal inmates.

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: $2,280

Exercised Options: $2,280

Current Obligation: $2,280

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15BNAS24A00000044

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline