USDA awards $5.3M contract for chicken to Gold Creek Foods, LLC, with 77 days duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,342,112 ($5.3M)

Contractor: Gold Creek Foods, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-01-13

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 77 days

Daily Burn Rate: $69.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011115/4100033577/CHICKEN LARGE CHILLED -BULK

Place of Performance

Location: GAINESVILLE, HALL County, GEORGIA, 30504

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $5.3 million to GOLD CREEK FOODS, LLC for work described as: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011115/4100033577/CHICKEN LARGE CHILLED -BULK Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 3. The contract duration is relatively short at 77 days, indicating a specific, time-bound need. 4. The award is for poultry processing commodities, supporting USG food donation programs. 5. The contractor, Gold Creek Foods, LLC, is based in Georgia. 6. This award represents a small portion of the overall federal food procurement budget.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.34 million for 77 days of chicken supply appears reasonable given the commodity and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale food procurement contracts for government donations would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost escalation risks for the government, contributing to predictable spending.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With 7 offers received, the competition level suggests a healthy market interest for this type of commodity. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and achieving competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include recipients of USG food donation programs, potentially domestic or international. The service delivered is the provision of large, chilled chicken commodities. The geographic impact is primarily related to the distribution of the donated food. Workforce implications are tied to Gold Creek Foods' production and logistics capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions affecting delivery timelines.
Fluctuations in commodity prices could impact the long-term cost-effectiveness if similar contracts are awarded.
Ensuring consistent quality and safety standards for the donated food is critical.

Positive Signals

Award to a single, established supplier simplifies logistics and quality control.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Competition indicates market availability and supplier capacity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader food processing and distribution sector, specifically supporting government procurement for humanitarian or donation purposes. The market for large-scale food commodities for government use is significant, with numerous suppliers capable of meeting stringent requirements. This award represents a specific instance of federal spending within the agricultural and food supply chain.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities for small business participation exist within Gold Creek Foods' supply chain or operations.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) within the USDA is responsible for managing and overseeing this contract. Transparency is maintained through contract award databases. Inspector General oversight would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Food Donation Programs
USDA Commodity Procurement
Agricultural Marketing Service Contracts
Government Food Supply Chain

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions
Quality control and food safety risks
Price volatility of commodities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $5.3 million to GOLD CREEK FOODS, LLC. COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011115/4100033577/CHICKEN LARGE CHILLED -BULK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GOLD CREEK FOODS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Marketing Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-13. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) on poultry products for donation programs?

Analyzing historical spending data for AMS on poultry products for donation programs would reveal trends in contract values, award volumes, and contractor diversity over time. This context is crucial for understanding if the current $5.34 million award for chicken is consistent with past procurement levels or represents an increase or decrease. It would also highlight any recurring contractors or shifts in procurement strategies. For instance, examining data from the past five fiscal years could show if there's a seasonal demand for such commodities or if specific events (like natural disasters or policy changes) have influenced procurement volumes. Understanding these patterns helps assess the current award's significance and potential future spending.

How does the price per pound for this chicken contract compare to market rates or other government contracts for similar commodities?

To assess the value for money, a detailed price-per-pound comparison is essential. This involves dividing the total contract value ($5,342,112) by the estimated quantity of chicken to be supplied (which is not explicitly provided in the data but would be a key factor). This calculated price per pound should then be benchmarked against prevailing market rates for bulk, chilled chicken in the relevant region and against prices paid under similar USDA or other federal agency contracts for comparable food donations. Significant deviations from market or benchmark prices, even under a firm fixed-price contract, could indicate potential issues with the pricing strategy or the initial solicitation. A thorough analysis requires access to the specific quantity details and historical pricing data.

What is Gold Creek Foods, LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the USDA or for food donation programs?

Investigating Gold Creek Foods, LLC's past performance on federal contracts is vital for assessing reliability and risk. This includes reviewing their award history, contract values, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any instances of contract disputes, terminations, or corrective actions. Specifically, examining their experience with the USDA and similar food procurement or donation programs provides insight into their capacity to meet the specific requirements of this contract. A history of successful, on-time deliveries and quality compliance would be a positive indicator, while past issues might raise concerns about potential performance risks. Data from contract databases like SAM.gov or FPDS can provide this historical context.

What are the specific quality and safety standards required for the chicken commodities under this contract, and how are they monitored?

The effectiveness and appropriateness of this contract hinge on the stringent quality and safety standards mandated for the chicken commodities. These standards typically align with USDA regulations and may include specifications for processing, chilling temperatures, packaging, and pathogen testing. Monitoring mechanisms often involve government inspections at the processing facility, review of contractor quality control plans, and potentially third-party audits. Ensuring these standards are clearly defined and rigorously enforced is critical to guarantee that the food donated is safe and suitable for consumption, thereby fulfilling the program's objectives and protecting public health. The contract documents themselves would detail these requirements and oversight procedures.

What is the anticipated impact of these chicken donations on food insecurity levels, and how is this impact measured?

The primary objective of this contract is to supply chicken for USG food donation programs, which directly aim to alleviate food insecurity. The anticipated impact involves providing a nutritious protein source to vulnerable populations, potentially through food banks, shelters, or international aid efforts. Measuring this impact can be complex, often relying on data from recipient organizations regarding the number of individuals served, the quantity of food distributed, and feedback on nutritional benefits. While this specific contract focuses on the supply side, its success contributes to the broader goals of federal nutrition assistance and humanitarian aid programs. Understanding the intended reach and distribution network is key to assessing the program's effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Animal Slaughtering and Processing › Poultry Processing

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: 123J1426B0091

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2063 MEMORIAL PARK DR, GAINESVILLE, GA, 30504

Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,342,112

Exercised Options: $5,342,112

Current Obligation: $5,342,112

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline