DOJ awards $241K for dental assistants at FCI Fort Dix, highlighting temporary staffing needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $241,474 ($241.5K)

Contractor: Global Empire LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $663/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE DENTAL ASSISTANT SERVICES FOR INMATE POPULATION LOCATED AT FCI FORT DIX.

Place of Performance

Location: HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN County, PENNSYLVANIA, 17110

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $241,473.6 to GLOBAL EMPIRE LLC for work described as: CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE DENTAL ASSISTANT SERVICES FOR INMATE POPULATION LOCATED AT FCI FORT DIX. Key points: 1. Contract addresses a critical need for inmate healthcare support. 2. Temporary staffing solution indicates potential for ongoing demand. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs. 4. Competition level suggests a potentially competitive market for these services. 5. Geographic concentration at a single facility. 6. Service category aligns with broader federal needs for specialized support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $241,473.60 for one year of dental assistant services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the support required within a correctional facility. Benchmarking against similar contracts for temporary medical staffing in federal institutions would provide a more precise valuation, but the amount is not immediately indicative of overspending. The firm fixed-price structure helps to cap potential cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While not an extremely high number, it implies that the market is aware of and capable of responding to such needs, which generally supports price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

Inmates at FCI Fort Dix will receive essential dental assistant support, contributing to their overall health and well-being. The Bureau of Prisons benefits from a reliable source of specialized temporary staffing. The contract supports the operational continuity of healthcare services within the correctional facility. Workforce implications include the provision of temporary employment opportunities for qualified dental assistants.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for reliance on temporary staff could mask underlying systemic staffing shortages.
Geographic concentration of services limits broader applicability of cost savings.

Positive Signals

Successful competition indicates a healthy market for these specialized services.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Clear definition of services supports effective performance monitoring.

Sector Analysis

The temporary help services sector (NAICS 561320) is a significant component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. Federal agencies frequently utilize temporary staffing to meet fluctuating demands, manage specialized skill gaps, or address short-term project needs. Spending in this category can range widely, but contracts for healthcare-related support within federal facilities often represent a niche with specific pricing dynamics due to security and regulatory requirements.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have explicit subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Global Empire LLC itself is a small business or chooses to subcontract with them. Further analysis of the contractor's size and subcontracting plans would be needed to fully assess the impact.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Justice, Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons, which has established oversight mechanisms for service contracts. Performance will likely be monitored through contract officer representatives (CORs) and adherence to the firm fixed-price terms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, though specific performance metrics and quality assurance surveillance plans are internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

Federal Inmate Healthcare Services
Temporary Staffing Contracts
Bureau of Prisons Support Services
Correctional Facility Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption if contractor fails to maintain adequate staffing.
Quality of service may vary if performance standards are not rigorously enforced.
Limited duration of contract may necessitate future re-competition and transition costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $241,473.6 to GLOBAL EMPIRE LLC. CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE DENTAL ASSISTANT SERVICES FOR INMATE POPULATION LOCATED AT FCI FORT DIX.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GLOBAL EMPIRE 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 $241,473.6.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of Global Empire LLC in providing similar services to federal agencies?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Global Empire LLC's track record. This would involve examining past contracts awarded to the company, the types of services rendered, their performance ratings, and any history of contract disputes or modifications. Understanding their experience with correctional facilities or other sensitive government environments would be particularly relevant. Without this specific data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and past performance in delivering comparable services.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for dental assistant services in similar geographic locations or facility types?

To benchmark the value, we would need to compare the contract's hourly or daily rates against industry data for dental assistants in the Pennsylvania region, specifically considering the premium often associated with providing services within a federal correctional institution. Factors such as required security clearances, specialized training, and the unique working environment can influence pricing. A comparison with other Bureau of Prisons contracts for similar support, adjusted for location and duration, would provide a more robust assessment of whether this contract represents good value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential disruptions to service delivery due to staffing shortages by the contractor, quality control issues with the dental assistant services provided, and potential cost overruns if the firm fixed-price contract has poorly defined scope or if unforeseen circumstances arise. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by the Bureau of Prisons, clear service level agreements, and potentially penalties for non-performance. The contractor's own internal quality control processes and contingency planning for staffing are also critical risk mitigation factors.

What is the historical spending pattern for dental assistant services at FCI Fort Dix or similar facilities?

Analyzing historical spending data for dental assistant services at FCI Fort Dix and comparable Bureau of Prisons facilities would reveal trends in demand, pricing, and contractor utilization. This includes examining whether similar contracts have been awarded previously, their duration, value, and the number of bidders. Understanding this historical context helps in assessing whether the current award is an anomaly, part of a consistent pattern, or reflects changes in service needs or market conditions. It also informs future budget planning and procurement strategies.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the overall healthcare delivery within FCI Fort Dix?

This contract is expected to directly support the dental health of the inmate population at FCI Fort Dix by ensuring the availability of qualified dental assistants. This contributes to the overall healthcare mission of the facility by allowing dentists to focus on treatment rather than administrative or support tasks. Reliable provision of these services can help prevent dental emergencies, manage chronic conditions, and improve inmate well-being, which can indirectly contribute to a more stable institutional environment.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2151 LINGLESTOWN RD STE 180, HARRISBURG, PA, 17110

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $244,473

Exercised Options: $244,473

Current Obligation: $241,474

Actual Outlays: $47,143

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: V797D70129

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline