DOJ's $9.8M Ultrasound/Echo Contract Awarded to Precise Specialties Corp. for Temporary Health Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,872 ($9.9K)

Contractor: Precise Specialities Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 29 days

Daily Burn Rate: $340/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: FY26 B1 PRECISE ULTRASOUND/ECHO APR26

Place of Performance

Location: HILLSBORO, MONTGOMERY County, ILLINOIS, 62049

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $9,871.52 to PRECISE SPECIALITIES CORPORATION for work described as: FY26 B1 PRECISE ULTRASOUND/ECHO APR26 Key points: 1. The contract value of $9.8M for a 29-day period suggests a high daily rate for temporary health services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating a broad market search for qualified providers. 3. The contract is a BPA Call, suggesting it's an order against a pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement. 4. The primary service category is Temporary Help Services, with a specific application in medical imaging. 5. The contract's short duration may indicate an urgent or surge need for these specialized services. 6. The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $9.8M for a 29-day period equates to approximately $339,000 per day. This daily rate appears high for temporary help services, even for specialized medical imaging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for temporary medical personnel or specialized diagnostic services would be necessary to definitively assess value for money. Without further context on the specific roles, qualifications, and number of personnel provided, it is difficult to ascertain if this pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that the government sought bids from all responsible sources. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this approach generally fosters a competitive environment. The use of a BPA Call indicates that this specific order was placed against an existing agreement, which itself was likely competed. The level of competition for the underlying BPA would be a key factor in determining price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best possible pricing through a wide range of offers. However, the ultimate benefit depends on the number of responsive bids received and the negotiation process.

Public Impact

Federal Prison System inmates will benefit from diagnostic ultrasound and echocardiogram services. The services delivered are temporary health support, specifically in medical imaging. The geographic impact is limited to Illinois, where the services will be rendered. The contract supports the healthcare workforce within federal correctional facilities by providing specialized diagnostic capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High daily rate for temporary services may indicate potential overspending.
Short contract duration could suggest reactive rather than proactive planning.
Lack of detail on specific personnel qualifications makes value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition was utilized, promoting a wider search for providers.
Firm fixed-price contract type offers cost predictability.
BPA Call mechanism can streamline the ordering process for pre-vetted services.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector, particularly within government contracting, is substantial. This contract falls under temporary health services, a niche within the broader healthcare market. The NAICS code 561320 (Temporary Help Services) is broad, but its application here is specific to medical imaging. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically look at per-diem rates for specialized medical professionals or diagnostic equipment rental/service contracts within federal or large institutional settings.

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 was on securing the best value through full and open competition. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for support services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Federal Prison System. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Healthcare Contracts
Temporary Medical Staffing Services
Diagnostic Imaging Services Contracts
Department of Justice Medical Procurement

Risk Flags

High Daily Rate
Short Contract Duration
Limited Performance Data Available

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $9,871.52 to PRECISE SPECIALITIES CORPORATION. FY26 B1 PRECISE ULTRASOUND/ECHO APR26

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PRECISE SPECIALITIES CORPORATION.

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 $9,871.52.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the track record of Precise Specialties Corporation with federal contracts, particularly in healthcare services?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Precise Specialties Corporation's track record. Key metrics to examine would include the number of contracts awarded, their value, performance history (if available), and any past performance issues or awards. For this specific contract, understanding if they have previously provided similar ultrasound and echo services to the Federal Prison System or other federal agencies would provide valuable context. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their experience and reliability in fulfilling this requirement.

How does the daily rate of approximately $339,000 for these temporary services compare to market benchmarks for similar medical imaging contracts?

The daily rate of approximately $339,000 derived from this $9.8 million contract over 29 days is exceptionally high for temporary health services. Standard benchmarks for temporary medical staffing, even for specialized roles like radiologists or sonographers, typically fall within a much lower range per day. This rate suggests either an extremely high volume of services, highly specialized personnel with unique qualifications, or potentially an inflated price. A detailed comparison would require analyzing contracts for similar diagnostic imaging services (ultrasound, echocardiogram) provided to federal agencies or large healthcare systems, considering factors like the number of procedures, personnel provided, and equipment usage.

What are the specific risks associated with a short-duration, high-value contract for temporary medical services?

Short-duration, high-value contracts for temporary medical services carry several risks. Firstly, there's a risk of inadequate planning or a sudden surge in demand that the agency couldn't anticipate, leading to potentially higher costs due to urgency. Secondly, the contractor might prioritize immediate profit over long-term service quality or comprehensive patient care, given the limited timeframe. Thirdly, the rapid deployment of personnel might lead to challenges in vetting qualifications and ensuring seamless integration with existing facility staff and protocols. Finally, the high daily rate itself presents a financial risk if the services provided do not fully justify the expenditure.

What is the historical spending pattern for temporary help services within the Federal Prison System, and how does this contract compare?

Analyzing historical spending for temporary help services within the Federal Prison System (FPS) is crucial for context. This would involve examining past contract awards for similar services (medical, administrative, technical) over several fiscal years. Key metrics to track would include the average contract value, duration, daily rates, and the types of services procured. If the FPS has historically relied on temporary staffing for specialized medical needs, understanding the typical cost structure and service levels would allow for a direct comparison. A significant deviation in value or daily rate for this $9.8 million contract compared to historical FPS spending on temporary medical services could indicate either a unique requirement or a potential pricing anomaly.

What are the implications of awarding this contract via a BPA Call, and what does it suggest about the underlying Blanket Purchase Agreement?

Awarding this contract as a BPA Call implies that a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) was already in place, likely established through a prior competitive process. BPAs are typically used to streamline the procurement of supplies or services when a specific need is anticipated but the exact timing or quantity isn't known. This mechanism allows agencies to place orders against the BPA quickly. The implications are that the contractor (Precise Specialties Corporation) has already been vetted and deemed capable under the terms of the BPA. The underlying BPA's competition level, terms, and conditions are critical; if the BPA itself was not competitively sourced or had limited competition, it could impact the overall value and fairness of this subsequent call order.

What specific types of temporary help services fall under NAICS code 561320, and how does this contract align?

NAICS code 561320, 'Temporary Help Services,' broadly covers establishments that provide a diverse range of temporary workers to clients. These workers are on the payroll of the temporary help agency but are supplied to the client to support or supplement the client's workforce. This can include administrative, clerical, industrial, technical, and even professional roles. This specific contract aligns with the 'professional' or 'technical' aspect of this code, focusing on specialized medical imaging services (ultrasound/echo). While the code is general, the contract's application is highly specific, indicating a need for skilled medical professionals rather than general administrative support.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 15BFA024Q00000043

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 524 S MAIN ST, HILLSBORO, IL, 62049

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,872

Exercised Options: $9,872

Current Obligation: $9,872

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15BFA025A00000009

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline