DOJ awards $1.1M contract for mental health services in Syracuse, NY, with a 241-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,000 ($11.0K)

Contractor: Catherine Diana

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-02-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 241 days

Daily Burn Rate: $46/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: CTS SERVICES IN SYRACUSE, NY

Place of Performance

Location: SYRACUSE, ONONDAGA County, NEW YORK, 13206

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $11,000 to CATHERINE DIANA for work described as: CTS SERVICES IN SYRACUSE, NY Key points: 1. The contract value of $1.1M for a 241-day period suggests a focus on specialized outpatient services. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are not detailed, but the award type indicates a structured procurement process. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Performance will be assessed against the delivery order requirements for outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers. 5. This contract falls within the healthcare sector, specifically focusing on mental and behavioral health support. 6. The contract is managed by the Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons, indicating a need for inmate support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.1M for approximately 8 months of service appears reasonable for specialized outpatient mental health and substance abuse care. Benchmarking against similar contracts for federal correctional facilities or government-run health centers would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control, assuming the scope of work is well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a competitive process suitable for awards below certain thresholds. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP typically encourages multiple offers, leading to better price discovery and value for the government. The use of SAP indicates that the agency sought competitive bids within the simplified acquisition framework.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award, even under SAP, likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are individuals requiring outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment, likely within or associated with the federal prison system. Services delivered include outpatient mental health care and substance abuse treatment, addressing critical behavioral health needs. The geographic impact is focused on Syracuse, New York, providing localized support services. Workforce implications include the creation of jobs for mental health professionals, counselors, and administrative staff in the Syracuse area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess service quality.
The short duration of the contract (less than a year) may lead to continuity of care challenges for patients.
Limited information on the contractor's past performance or track record.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract was competed, suggesting an effort to obtain competitive pricing.
The award is for essential healthcare services, addressing a critical need.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically focusing on outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment centers. The market for these services is substantial, driven by both public and private demand. Federal spending in this area often supports correctional facilities, veterans' affairs, and other government health initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in contracts awarded by agencies like the VA or HHS for similar outpatient services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is minimal. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, depending on the scope of services and their procurement strategy.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Bureau of Prisons contracting officers and program managers. Performance will be monitored through adherence to the delivery order requirements and quality standards. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Bureau of Prisons Healthcare Services
Department of Justice Mental Health Programs
Outpatient Mental Health Services Contracts
Substance Abuse Treatment Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep given the nature of mental health services.
Ensuring continuity of care for patients transitioning in or out of the facility.
Contractor's ability to meet specialized needs of the federal inmate population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $11,000 to CATHERINE DIANA. CTS SERVICES IN SYRACUSE, NY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CATHERINE DIANA.

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 $11,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the contractor's track record with similar federal contracts, particularly for the Bureau of Prisons?

Information regarding the specific contractor, CATHERINE DIANA, and their track record with the Federal Prison System or similar federal entities is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough review would require accessing contract databases to examine past performance reviews, any history of contract modifications, disputes, or successful completion of prior agreements. Understanding their experience with correctional healthcare or similar government-mandated services is crucial for assessing reliability and capability.

How does the per-unit cost of these services compare to market rates for similar outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers in the Syracuse area?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit cost breakdowns (e.g., cost per therapy session, cost per patient day). The total award of $1.1M for a 241-day period for outpatient services makes direct per-unit cost comparison challenging without more granular data on patient volume and service types. To benchmark, one would need to identify the average number of patient encounters or treatment hours anticipated and divide the total contract value accordingly. This figure could then be compared to average rates charged by comparable private or non-profit providers in the Syracuse region, adjusting for any specific requirements unique to serving a federal population.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will they be measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for mental health and substance abuse services, KPIs might include patient outcomes (e.g., reduction in symptoms, successful completion of treatment plans), patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment protocols, timely access to care, and staff qualifications. Measurement methods would likely involve regular reporting by the contractor, site visits, patient surveys, and potentially clinical reviews conducted by Bureau of Prisons staff or designated third parties.

What is the historical spending pattern for mental health and substance abuse services by the Federal Prison System in the Syracuse region?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award and does not offer historical spending patterns for the Federal Prison System in the Syracuse region. To analyze historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS) for all contracts awarded by the Bureau of Prisons or Department of Justice for similar services (NAICS 621420) within the relevant geographic area over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, number of awards, and types of services procured, helping to contextualize the current $1.1M award.

Are there any specific risks associated with providing mental health services within a correctional environment, and how are they mitigated?

Providing mental health services within a correctional environment presents unique risks, including potential security concerns, managing patient populations with complex needs and histories, ensuring staff safety, and maintaining patient confidentiality within a secure setting. Mitigation strategies often involve stringent vetting of personnel, clear protocols for managing patient behavior and emergencies, coordination with facility security staff, and specialized training for clinicians. The contract's firm fixed-price nature helps mitigate financial risks for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined to account for the complexities of this environment.

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: 15BCTS23Q00000007

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6917 WYANT WAY, LIVERPOOL, NY, 13088

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $233,500

Exercised Options: $233,500

Current Obligation: $11,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15BCTS23D00000004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline