DOJ awards $415,500 contract for medical evaluations to Medical Evaluation Specialists, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,155 ($4.2K)

Contractor: Medical Evaluation Specialists, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-01-22

End Date: 2026-02-09

Contract Duration: 18 days

Daily Burn Rate: $231/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: FY26 FIT FOR DUTY EXAM - MEDICAL EVALUATION SPECIALIST

Place of Performance

Location: FEDERAL WAY, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98003

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $4,155 to MEDICAL EVALUATION SPECIALISTS, LLC for work described as: FY26 FIT FOR DUTY EXAM - MEDICAL EVALUATION SPECIALIST Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating predictable costs for the government. 2. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential price efficiencies. 3. The duration of the contract is short (18 days), suggesting a specific, immediate need. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 621111 points to physician services. 5. The contract falls under the Federal Prison System's purview, indicating a need for inmate medical services. 6. The award is a purchase order, typically used for smaller value acquisitions.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its specific nature and short duration. Without comparable contracts for 'Fit for Duty' exams within the Federal Prison System, it's difficult to assess if the $415,500 price represents good value. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the lack of competition means there's no market validation of the pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is often used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when urgency dictates a direct award. However, the lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore alternative pricing and potentially secure better value through a bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price due to the absence of competitive bidding, which typically drives down costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are inmates within the Federal Prison System requiring medical evaluations. The service delivered is medical evaluation for fitness for duty, crucial for inmate management and safety. The geographic impact is likely within the Federal Prison System facilities managed by the Bureau of Prisons. The contract supports the operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons by ensuring medical readiness of personnel or inmates.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award limits transparency and potential for cost savings.
Short contract duration might indicate a reactive rather than proactive procurement strategy.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Award to a specialized medical services provider ensures relevant expertise.
Purchase order mechanism is suitable for this type of acquisition.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector, particularly within government and correctional facilities, is a significant market. This contract falls under the broader category of medical services, specifically focusing on physician-based evaluations. While the dollar amount is relatively modest, it represents a critical component of operational readiness within the Bureau of Prisons. Comparable spending benchmarks for such specialized medical evaluations within federal correctional settings are not readily available, but the need for such services is consistent across correctional systems.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have a small business set-aside component. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The award to a single entity, Medical Evaluation Specialists, LLC, does not directly indicate any impact on the broader small business ecosystem in this specific instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons. As a purchase order, it is subject to internal agency procurement regulations and financial controls. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. There is no indication of specific Inspector General jurisdiction mentioned for this particular award, though the DOJ OIG generally oversees agency programs.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Medical Services
Bureau of Prisons Health Services
Department of Justice Medical Contracts
Physician Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Limited performance data available

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $4,155 to MEDICAL EVALUATION SPECIALISTS, LLC. FY26 FIT FOR DUTY EXAM - MEDICAL EVALUATION SPECIALIST

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MEDICAL EVALUATION SPECIALISTS, 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 $4,155.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-22. End: 2026-02-09.

What is the track record of Medical Evaluation Specialists, LLC in performing federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Medical Evaluation Specialists, LLC in performing federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS to analyze past performance, contract values, and any reported issues. Without this external data, it's impossible to assess their experience and reliability for this specific 'Fit for Duty' exam requirement within the Federal Prison System.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar 'Fit for Duty' exams in other federal agencies or correctional facilities?

Direct comparison of the pricing for this $415,500 contract is difficult without access to specific benchmark data for 'Fit for Duty' exams within similar federal correctional environments. The contract's value is tied to the number of evaluations and the complexity of the medical assessments required. Given the sole-source nature, there's no competitive pricing data to benchmark against. A thorough analysis would involve researching publicly available contract awards for similar services across agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or state-level correctional departments to identify potential price variations and justify the current award's value.

What are the specific risks associated with awarding a sole-source contract for critical medical evaluations?

The primary risk associated with awarding a sole-source contract for critical medical evaluations is the potential for inflated pricing due to the absence of competition. This can lead to less value for taxpayer money. Additionally, it limits the government's ability to explore innovative solutions or leverage a wider pool of qualified providers. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes dependent on a single provider, potentially reducing future negotiating power. Ensuring the sole-source justification is robust and that the selected vendor is indeed the only capable provider is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective is the 'Fit for Duty' exam process in ensuring the operational readiness of personnel within the Federal Prison System?

The effectiveness of the 'Fit for Duty' exam process in ensuring operational readiness within the Federal Prison System is contingent on the rigor and comprehensiveness of the evaluations conducted. These exams are designed to identify any medical or psychological conditions that could impair an individual's ability to perform their duties safely and effectively, thereby preventing potential security breaches or operational failures. While the contract itself facilitates the execution of these exams, their ultimate effectiveness relies on the quality of the medical professionals performing them, the clarity of the evaluation criteria, and the subsequent actions taken based on the exam results. The Bureau of Prisons' internal protocols and quality assurance measures play a vital role in this.

What has been the historical spending pattern for 'Fit for Duty' exams or similar medical evaluation services by the Bureau of Prisons?

Historical spending patterns for 'Fit for Duty' exams or similar medical evaluation services by the Bureau of Prisons are not detailed in the provided data. To ascertain this, one would need to analyze past contract awards and purchase orders related to medical evaluations within the Bureau of Prisons over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal trends in spending, the types of services procured, the average cost per evaluation, and whether these services have historically been competed or awarded sole-source. Understanding these patterns is crucial for budget forecasting and identifying potential cost-saving opportunities.

Are there any specific performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract to ensure quality and timeliness?

The provided data does not specify any performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this particular contract. For a firm-fixed-price purchase order of this nature, the expectation is that the contractor will deliver the agreed-upon services (medical evaluations) by the specified end date. However, without explicit SLAs, it is challenging to quantitatively measure the contractor's performance in terms of turnaround time, accuracy of evaluations, or patient satisfaction. The Bureau of Prisons would likely rely on general contract administration and oversight to ensure satisfactory performance, but formal metrics would provide a clearer framework for accountability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Physicians › Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › NURSING, NURSING HOME, EVAL/SCREEN

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

Parent Company: Alpha Analytical, Inc.

Address: 505 S 336TH ST STE 130, FEDERAL WAY, WA, 98003

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,155

Exercised Options: $4,155

Current Obligation: $4,155

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline