DOJ awards $404K for substance use and mental health services in Spanish Fort, AL

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,406 ($40.4K)

Contractor: Ronald R Bowen

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $111/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: SUBSTANCE USE, MENTAL HEALTH, MEDICAL ASSISTED AND SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT SERVICES IN SPANISH FORT, AL.

Place of Performance

Location: SPANISH FORT, BALDWIN County, ALABAMA, 36527

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $40,406 to RONALD R BOWEN for work described as: SUBSTANCE USE, MENTAL HEALTH, MEDICAL ASSISTED AND SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT SERVICES IN SPANISH FORT, AL. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential medical and treatment services. 2. Services to be delivered in Spanish Fort, Alabama. 3. Contract duration is one year. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type. 5. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 6. No small business set-aside noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $404,060 for a one-year period for substance use, mental health, and medical services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized treatment services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers (NAICS 621420) would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without specific details on the scope of services and patient volume, a precise comparison is difficult, but the amount suggests a moderate scale of operation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition for contracts valued below the simplified acquisition threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally encourages competition. The use of SAP suggests that the agency sought competitive bids, aiming for price discovery and value. The nature of the services might also influence the number of qualified bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP aims to ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by obtaining competitive pricing for necessary services.

Public Impact

Provides critical substance use and mental health treatment services. Benefits individuals requiring medical-assisted and sex offender treatment. Services are specifically for Spanish Fort, Alabama residents. Supports the operational needs of the Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons. Ensures access to specialized care in a specific geographic area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics or outcome measures.
Limited information on the specific qualifications of the contractor.
Potential for scope creep if service needs exceed initial estimates.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a single entity for comprehensive service delivery.
Clear service location and duration specified.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the healthcare services sector, specifically outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment centers. The market for these services is driven by demand for specialized care, often influenced by government contracts for correctional facilities or public health initiatives. Spending in this sub-sector can vary significantly based on geographic location, patient population, and the complexity of services offered. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within government health service procurements.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (SS: false, SB: false). This suggests that the procurement was open to all eligible offerors, and the award was made based on the best value received. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans, but the absence of a small business set-aside implies that small businesses may not be primary recipients of this contract's value unless they are subcontractors to the prime awardee.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. The Inspector General for the Department of Justice would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Bureau of Prisons Healthcare Services
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grants
Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Services
Community Mental Health Center Funding

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption if contractor fails to perform.
Risk of inadequate service quality if contractor is not properly vetted.
Limited transparency on specific performance metrics and outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $40,406 to RONALD R BOWEN. SUBSTANCE USE, MENTAL HEALTH, MEDICAL ASSISTED AND SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT SERVICES IN SPANISH FORT, AL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RONALD R BOWEN.

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 $40,406.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of the contractor, RONALD R BOWEN, with federal contracts, particularly for similar services?

Information regarding the specific track record of the contractor, RONALD R BOWEN, for federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their suitability and past performance, a review of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary. This would reveal any prior awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. A strong performance history with similar healthcare or treatment service contracts would be a positive indicator for this award.

How does the awarded amount of $404,060 compare to the typical cost of providing these specialized treatment services in the Spanish Fort, AL area?

The awarded amount of $404,060 for a 364-day period for substance use, mental health, and medical services in Spanish Fort, AL, needs to be benchmarked against local market rates and the specific scope of services. Without detailed service delivery metrics (e.g., number of patients, types of therapy, duration of treatment), a precise comparison is challenging. However, this figure suggests a moderate capacity for service provision. Researching costs for similar outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers in Alabama, considering factors like staffing, facility overhead, and specialized equipment, would be crucial for a thorough value assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks for this contract include potential service quality issues if the contractor lacks adequate expertise or resources, and the risk of cost overruns if the scope of services is not clearly defined or managed. Another risk is contractor performance failure, leading to disruptions in essential services for the intended beneficiaries. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight, clear performance standards, regular reporting requirements, and contingency planning by the contracting agency (Department of Justice/Federal Prison System). The firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, but could strain the contractor if costs are higher than anticipated.

What is the expected effectiveness of these services in addressing substance use and mental health issues within the target population?

The effectiveness of these services hinges on several factors, including the qualifications of the healthcare professionals, the evidence-based methodologies employed, and the engagement of the patient population. As this is a contract for the Federal Prison System, the services are likely aimed at inmates or individuals under correctional supervision. The effectiveness would be measured by outcomes such as reduced recidivism, improved mental health status, successful reintegration into society, and adherence to treatment plans. The contract should ideally include specific performance metrics related to these outcomes to gauge its success.

What has been the historical spending pattern for similar substance use and mental health treatment services by the Department of Justice or Federal Prison System?

Historical spending patterns for similar services by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Prison System (FPS) are likely substantial, given the ongoing need for inmate healthcare and rehabilitation. The FPS manages a large inmate population, requiring comprehensive medical, mental health, and substance abuse treatment programs. Analyzing past contract awards for these services, both in terms of number of contracts and total dollar amounts, would reveal trends in outsourcing these functions, average contract values, and the geographic distribution of spending. This context is vital for understanding the significance of the $404K award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Outpatient Care Centers › Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers

Product/Service Code: SOCIAL SERVICES › SOCIAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15BCTS21Q00000037

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 944 LAKE CIR, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35244

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $332,961

Exercised Options: $332,961

Current Obligation: $40,406

Actual Outlays: $8,345

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15BCTS21D00000636

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline