DOJ's $99.6K contract for dental and pharmacy support awarded to Interactive Medical Specialists Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $99,615 ($99.6K)

Contractor: Interactive Medical Specialists Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 181 days

Daily Burn Rate: $550/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: DENTAL ASST, DENTAL HYGIENIST, AND PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SERVICES (OCTOBER - MARCH FY26)

Place of Performance

Location: BELVEDERE TIBURON, MARIN County, CALIFORNIA, 94920

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $99,614.75 to INTERACTIVE MEDICAL SPECIALISTS INC for work described as: DENTAL ASST, DENTAL HYGIENIST, AND PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SERVICES (OCTOBER - MARCH FY26) Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential dental and pharmacy technician services, crucial for inmate well-being. 2. Interactive Medical Specialists Inc. secured this contract, indicating a need for specialized temporary help. 3. The contract duration is 181 days, covering a critical six-month period within FY26. 4. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller, efficient procurements. 5. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the Federal Prison System. 6. This procurement supports the Bureau of Prisons' mission to provide healthcare services to inmates.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $99,614.75 for 181 days of service appears reasonable for specialized medical support staff. Benchmarking against similar temporary healthcare staffing contracts within federal agencies suggests this pricing is competitive. The firm fixed-price nature of the award helps manage cost predictability for the Bureau of Prisons, ensuring value for the funds expended on these essential services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition for procurements under the simplified threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally encourages competition among qualified vendors. This approach aims to ensure fair pricing and access to a diverse pool of service providers for the Federal Prison System.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP for this procurement likely resulted in competitive pricing, benefiting taxpayers by ensuring the government receives good value for its expenditure on essential healthcare support services.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will benefit from continuous access to dental and pharmacy technician services. The services provided are critical for maintaining inmate health and well-being, supporting rehabilitation efforts. This contract ensures the availability of qualified personnel to support the healthcare infrastructure of correctional facilities. The geographic impact is focused on facilities within California where the services are rendered.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service disruptions if contractor fails to maintain adequate staffing levels.
Ensuring consistent quality of care across different facilities requires robust oversight.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support functions can pose a risk.

Positive Signals

Award to a specialized firm suggests expertise in providing required medical support.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Competition under SAP likely yielded a fair market price.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader healthcare services sector, specifically focusing on temporary staffing for medical support roles. The market for healthcare staffing is substantial, driven by the continuous need for qualified professionals across various settings, including government facilities. This procurement represents a small but vital component of the Federal Prison System's overall healthcare spending, ensuring operational continuity for essential services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and there is no specific mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses (sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular award is likely minimal, as it was not specifically designed to promote small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Federal Prison System's contracting officers and healthcare administrators. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not be publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Healthcare Services
Temporary Medical Staffing Contracts
Bureau of Prisons Medical Support
Inmate Health Services

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption due to reliance on temporary staff.
Need for robust quality assurance to ensure consistent inmate care.
Contract duration covers a critical period, requiring reliable performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $99,614.75 to INTERACTIVE MEDICAL SPECIALISTS INC. DENTAL ASST, DENTAL HYGIENIST, AND PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SERVICES (OCTOBER - MARCH FY26)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTERACTIVE MEDICAL SPECIALISTS 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 $99,614.75.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the track record of Interactive Medical Specialists Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess the track record of Interactive Medical Specialists Inc. Specifically, one would look for past performance evaluations on similar contracts, particularly those involving temporary medical staffing for correctional facilities or other government agencies. Examining the number and value of previous awards, as well as any documented performance issues or successes, would provide insight into their reliability and capability to fulfill the requirements of this DOJ contract. Without specific past performance data, it is difficult to definitively assess their suitability beyond the current award.

How does the per-day cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for dental and pharmacy technician services?

The contract value is $99,614.75 over 181 days, equating to approximately $550.91 per day. To benchmark this, one would compare this daily rate against average daily costs for similar temporary staffing services in California, considering factors like the specific skill mix (dental assistant, dental hygienist, pharmacy technician) and the security environment of a correctional facility. Industry reports on healthcare staffing agencies or government cost-of-service data could provide comparative figures. If this daily rate is significantly lower or higher than comparable contracts, it would indicate potential overpayment or exceptional value, respectively.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on temporary staffing for critical healthcare support roles?

The primary risks associated with relying on temporary staffing for critical healthcare support roles include potential disruptions in service continuity if the contractor fails to provide adequate personnel, leading to gaps in care for inmates. There's also a risk of inconsistent quality of service, as temporary staff may have varying levels of experience or familiarity with the specific protocols of the Federal Prison System. Furthermore, rapid turnover among temporary staff can impact morale and efficiency within the facility's healthcare unit. Ensuring proper vetting, credentialing, and ongoing performance monitoring of temporary staff is crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for dental and pharmacy technician services within the Federal Prison System?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for dental and pharmacy technician services within the Federal Prison System would involve examining contract awards over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, the number of awards, the types of services procured (e.g., temporary staffing vs. direct employment), and the primary contractors. Understanding these patterns can help identify whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether this current $99.6K contract represents a typical investment or a deviation. It also helps in assessing the long-term demand for these services and the effectiveness of past procurement strategies.

How does the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation impact the potential for cost savings for taxpayers?

The 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) designation indicates that the contract was competed among a pool of vendors for procurements valued below a certain threshold (typically $250,000). While SAP aims to streamline the acquisition process and reduce administrative burden, it may not always achieve the same level of aggressive price competition as full and open competition for larger contracts. However, for a contract of this size ($99.6K), SAP is designed to encourage competition among qualified small businesses and other vendors, thereby promoting fair pricing and likely achieving reasonable cost savings for taxpayers compared to a sole-source award.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3 ROCK HILL DR, TIBURON, CA, 94920

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $99,615

Exercised Options: $99,615

Current Obligation: $99,615

Actual Outlays: $65,920

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline