DOJ's $300K Naphcare Contract for Essential Prison Medical Care in Iowa Lacks Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $300,000 ($300.0K)

Contractor: Naphcare LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-03-01

End Date: 2026-04-06

Contract Duration: 36 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: FY26 B2 NAPHCARE OUTSIDE MEDICAL CARE MAR 26 MISSION ESSENTIAL

Place of Performance

Location: CLINTON, CLINTON County, IOWA, 52732

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $300,000 to NAPHCARE LLC for work described as: FY26 B2 NAPHCARE OUTSIDE MEDICAL CARE MAR 26 MISSION ESSENTIAL Key points: 1. The contract is for essential medical services within federal prisons, indicating a critical need. 2. Naphcare LLC is the sole awardee, raising questions about competitive pricing. 3. The short duration and specific location suggest a focused, potentially urgent requirement. 4. The lack of competition is a significant risk factor for cost-effectiveness.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $300,000 for a one-month period is difficult to benchmark without more detailed service scope. However, the absence of competition suggests potential overpricing compared to what might be achieved through a competitive process.

Cost Per Unit: $8,333 per month

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no market pressure to offer the best price.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in higher taxpayer costs for essential medical services.

Public Impact

Ensures continuity of essential medical care for federal inmates. Addresses a critical healthcare need within the Bureau of Prisons. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of Competition
Sole Source Award
Limited Price Discovery

Positive Signals

Mission Essential Service
Specific Need Addressed

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under healthcare services, specifically general medical and surgical hospitals, serving the federal prison system. Spending in this sector is often driven by critical needs and can be subject to unique procurement challenges.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this procurement. The sole-source nature of the award limits opportunities for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source award warrants oversight to ensure the pricing is fair and reasonable, despite the lack of competition. The Bureau of Prisons should document the justification for not competing this essential service.

Related Government Programs

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
Department of Justice Contracting
Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency in price negotiation
No small business participation opportunity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $300,000 to NAPHCARE LLC. FY26 B2 NAPHCARE OUTSIDE MEDICAL CARE MAR 26 MISSION ESSENTIAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NAPHCARE 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 $300,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-01. End: 2026-04-06.

What is the justification for awarding this contract sole-source?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves circumstances where only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. For essential medical care in a correctional facility, this might be due to specialized expertise, existing infrastructure, or urgent, unforeseen needs that preclude a competitive process. A thorough review of the agency's justification documentation is necessary to validate this.

How does the lack of competition impact the risk of overpayment?

The lack of competition significantly increases the risk of overpayment. Without competing bids, Naphcare LLC faced no market pressure to offer the lowest possible price. This can lead to inflated costs for services that might be procured at a lower rate through a competitive bidding process, ultimately impacting taxpayer funds.

What is the effectiveness of Naphcare's services in meeting the Bureau of Prisons' medical needs?

The effectiveness of Naphcare's services is not directly assessed by this contract data alone. While the contract is for 'mission essential' services, indicating a perceived need, its effectiveness would be measured by patient outcomes, quality of care, and adherence to medical standards within the facility. Performance metrics and user feedback would be required for a full assessment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › General Medical and Surgical Hospitals › General Medical and Surgical Hospitals

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › GENERAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2090 COLUMBIANA RD, VESTAVIA HILLS, AL, 35216

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $300,000

Exercised Options: $300,000

Current Obligation: $300,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline