The Department of Corrections (DOC), in consultation with the Secretary of Public Safety, shall contract for an evaluation of the long-term need of the department for new or additional facilities to provide health care services to inmates, including geriatric medical services. The evaluation shall include an analysis of the comparative costs and benefits of DOC building and operating such facilities itself versus the following alternatives: 1) continuing to rely primarily on outside medical care providers for inpatient care and specialized outpatient care, thereby reducing the need for additional facilities; 2) building the facilities itself, but contracting with a private vendor to operate them; 3) building new facilities and entering into an agreement with Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems for their operation; and 4) any other alternative that is deemed feasible. The department shall submit its findings and recommendations to the Secretary of Public Safety by November 1, 2012.