DOJ's Bureau of Prisons Awards $605K Task Order for Mental Health Services in Billings, MT
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $60,500 ($60.5K)
Contractor: Alternatives Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2025-10-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $166/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: BPQ 15B40026PR000002 TASK ORDER 15BCTS25F00000309 ALTERNATIVES 611 FY26 OY5 BILLINGS, MT NCRO TASK ORDER COVERAGE: 10/01/2025-09/30/2026 CONTRACT NUMBER 15BCTS21D00000611 COMMUNITY SUBSTANCE USE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT IN BILLINGS
Place of Performance
Location: BILLINGS, YELLOWSTONE County, MONTANA, 59101
State: Montana Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $60,500 to ALTERNATIVES INC for work described as: BPQ 15B40026PR000002 TASK ORDER 15BCTS25F00000309 ALTERNATIVES 611 FY26 OY5 BILLINGS, MT NCRO TASK ORDER COVERAGE: 10/01/2025-09/30/2026 CONTRACT NUMBER 15BCTS21D00000611 COMMUNITY SUBSTANCE USE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT IN BILLINGS Key points: 1. The task order focuses on critical community substance use, mental health, and sex offender treatment. 2. Competition under SAP suggests a streamlined process, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. The contract is firm-fixed-price, providing cost certainty for the government. 4. This spending supports essential services within the Federal Prison System.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The $605,000 award for a 364-day period appears reasonable for specialized mental health and substance abuse treatment services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for outpatient services in the region would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a limited competition approach. While efficient for smaller dollar amounts, this method may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to procure essential treatment services, aiming to improve outcomes for individuals within the Federal Prison System.
Public Impact
Enhances access to vital mental health and substance abuse treatment for federal inmates and potentially the local community. Addresses critical needs within the Federal Prison System, contributing to rehabilitation and public safety. Supports the operational capacity of the Bureau of Prisons in providing comprehensive care.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition under SAP may not guarantee the best price.
- Reliance on a single vendor for a critical service could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a clear and present need for mental health and substance abuse services.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
- Services are geographically located in Billings, MT, serving a specific population.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under healthcare services, specifically outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment. Spending in this sector is often driven by demand for care and regulatory requirements. Benchmarks vary widely based on service type and location.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Justice, through the Bureau of Prisons, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight procedures for task orders would apply, including performance monitoring and payment verification.
Related Government Programs
- Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential for price not being optimized
- Vendor performance risk
Tags
outpatient-mental-health-and-substance-a, department-of-justice, mt, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $60,500 to ALTERNATIVES INC. BPQ 15B40026PR000002 TASK ORDER 15BCTS25F00000309 ALTERNATIVES 611 FY26 OY5 BILLINGS, MT NCRO TASK ORDER COVERAGE: 10/01/2025-09/30/2026 CONTRACT NUMBER 15BCTS21D00000611 COMMUNITY SUBSTANCE USE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT IN BILLINGS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALTERNATIVES 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 $60,500.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the specific scope of services included in this task order, and how does it align with the Bureau of Prisons' overall treatment goals?
The task order covers community substance use, mental health, and sex offender treatment. It aims to provide essential care to individuals within or associated with the Federal Prison System in Billings, MT. This aligns with the Bureau's mission to provide effective correctional services, including rehabilitation programs, to reduce recidivism and promote public safety.
What are the potential risks associated with limited competition under SAP for these critical services?
Limited competition under SAP, while efficient, may restrict the pool of potential offerors, potentially leading to higher prices than if full and open competition were utilized. It also carries a risk if the selected vendor underperforms, as switching providers mid-contract can be complex and costly.
How will the effectiveness of these mental health and substance abuse treatment services be measured and evaluated by the Bureau of Prisons?
Effectiveness is typically measured through performance metrics outlined in the task order, such as client progress, completion rates, and recidivism reduction. The Bureau of Prisons would likely conduct regular performance reviews and potentially utilize client outcome data to assess the overall impact and value of the services provided.
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: 15BCTS21Q00000002
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1001 S 27TH ST, BILLINGS, MT, 59101
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $169,474
Exercised Options: $169,474
Current Obligation: $60,500
Actual Outlays: $28,747
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15BCTS21D00000611
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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