DOJ's $25M nursing contract to Nitelines USA Inc. for federal prison system support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,164 ($25.2K)

Contractor: Nitelines USA Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $69/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: NITELINES FY26 CTR CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS(4)

Place of Performance

Location: SAN PEDRO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90731

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $25,164.28 to NITELINES USA INC for work described as: NITELINES FY26 CTR CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS(4) Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the firm-fixed-price structure and duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a fixed-price contract mitigating cost overrun risks. 4. Performance context is critical for ensuring adequate staffing in federal correctional facilities. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the essential healthcare support services for government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of approximately $25.16 million over one year for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) needs benchmarking against similar federal and state correctional facility staffing contracts. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) structure provides cost certainty for the government, but the per-unit cost of CNA services is not explicitly detailed here. Without specific service level agreements or detailed pricing breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, though the FFP model generally aims for predictable costs.

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 number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature suggests that the Bureau of Prisons sought the best value through an open bidding process. This approach is generally expected to yield more competitive pricing and a wider range of qualified offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for receiving competitive bids, which can lead to lower prices and better service quality.

Public Impact

Benefits federal inmates by ensuring access to essential certified nursing assistant services within Bureau of Prisons facilities. Delivers critical healthcare support, contributing to the overall health and well-being of the incarcerated population. Geographic impact is focused on federal correctional facilities, likely within California based on the 'SN' field. Workforce implications include the provision of temporary staffing for specialized healthcare roles, potentially alleviating staffing shortages for the agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for inconsistent quality of care if contractor staff are not adequately vetted or trained.
Reliance on temporary staff may lead to continuity of care issues for inmates.
Contract performance monitoring is crucial to ensure service level agreements are met.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Contract duration of one year allows for periodic re-evaluation of needs and performance.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare staffing sector, particularly for specialized roles like certified nursing assistants, is a significant market. Federal agencies, including the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons, often contract for these services to supplement their permanent staff or to meet specific operational needs within correctional facilities. This contract fits within the broader category of temporary help services (NAICS 561320) and highlights the government's reliance on private sector providers for essential support functions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (SB field is false) was not a specific set-aside criterion for this contract. Therefore, the primary contractor, Nitelines USA Inc., is likely not a small business, and there is no explicit requirement for subcontracting to small businesses mandated within this award notice. The impact on the small business ecosystem would be indirect, primarily through potential competition if small businesses were eligible and chose to bid.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring contractor performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. The Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) may also conduct audits or investigations into contract management and performance if specific concerns arise regarding waste, fraud, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Healthcare Services
Bureau of Prisons Staff Augmentation Contracts
Temporary Healthcare Staffing Contracts
Department of Justice Medical Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for inconsistent service quality due to reliance on temporary staff.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure adherence to SLAs.
Lack of detailed per-unit cost data hinders precise value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $25,164.28 to NITELINES USA INC. NITELINES FY26 CTR CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS(4)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NITELINES USA INC.

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 $25,164.28.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the historical spending pattern for certified nursing assistant services within the Federal Prison System?

Analyzing historical spending for CNA services within the Federal Prison System (FPS) is crucial for understanding trends and establishing benchmarks. While specific data for CNA services alone is not readily available in this award notice, broader spending on healthcare services within the FPS has likely fluctuated based on inmate population, facility needs, and healthcare policy changes. Examining past contracts for similar temporary staffing or direct healthcare provision within BOP facilities would reveal spending levels, contract durations, and the prevalence of different contract types (e.g., FFP, cost-plus). This historical context helps determine if the current $25.16 million award for FY26 is consistent with prior investment levels or represents a significant increase or decrease, potentially signaling shifts in service delivery strategy or market costs.

How does the per-unit cost of CNAs under this contract compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?

A detailed comparison of the per-unit cost for CNAs under this Nitelines USA Inc. contract against market rates and similar federal contracts is essential for assessing value for money. The provided data does not include the specific hourly or daily rates for CNAs, making direct per-unit cost analysis impossible. To conduct this, one would need to know the total number of CNA hours or shifts procured and divide the total contract value by this quantity. Subsequently, this calculated rate would be benchmarked against publicly available data for CNA wages in the relevant geographic area (California, based on 'SN'), average rates from other federal contracts for similar services (e.g., through GSA schedules or other agency awards), and potentially rates from state correctional systems. Without this granular data, the assessment remains qualitative, relying on the assumption that full and open competition would drive competitive pricing.

What is Nitelines USA Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly for healthcare staffing?

Nitelines USA Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, especially in healthcare staffing, is a key indicator of their reliability and performance capability. A review of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would reveal the company's history of awarded contracts, including their value, duration, agency, and performance ratings, if available. Specifically, looking for past contracts with the Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons, or other agencies requiring similar CNA or healthcare support services would provide direct insight. Positive past performance, demonstrated success in meeting contract requirements, and favorable past performance reviews would increase confidence in their ability to execute this $25.16 million award effectively. Conversely, any history of contract disputes, performance failures, or negative past performance assessments would raise concerns about potential risks associated with this new award.

What are the specific performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided award notice does not detail the specific performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs) tied to this $25.16 million contract for certified nursing assistants. These are critical components that define the expected quality, quantity, and timeliness of the services to be delivered by Nitelines USA Inc. Typical SLAs for such contracts might include requirements related to CNA-to-inmate ratios, response times for medical needs, adherence to facility protocols, staff qualifications and training, and reporting requirements. The effectiveness of this contract hinges on clearly defined and measurable SLAs, coupled with robust government oversight to ensure compliance. Without this information, it's difficult to fully assess the potential effectiveness of the service delivery and the government's ability to hold the contractor accountable for performance.

How does the duration of this contract (364 days) impact risk and flexibility for the Bureau of Prisons?

The contract duration of 364 days (just under one year) offers a balance between providing sufficient operational continuity and maintaining flexibility for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). A shorter duration like this allows the BOP to periodically reassess its needs, evaluate contractor performance, and potentially re-compete the requirement to ensure continued best value. This mitigates the risk of being locked into a long-term contract with a potentially underperforming vendor or one whose pricing becomes uncompetitive over time. However, it also means the agency must invest resources in contract administration and potential re-procurement annually. For a service like CNA staffing, where needs can fluctuate, this annual cycle provides a reasonable degree of agility while ensuring essential services are consistently available.

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2180 SATELLITE BLVD STE 400, DULUTH, GA, 30097

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,164

Exercised Options: $25,164

Current Obligation: $25,164

Actual Outlays: $17,531

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15BFA023A00000049

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline