DOJ's $14.8M Food Service Contract Awarded to MINA HOLDINGS LLC for Federal Prisons

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,815 ($14.8K)

Contractor: Mina Holdings LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $165/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 23

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 3RD QTR FOOD SERVICE

Place of Performance

Location: HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN County, PENNSYLVANIA, 17111

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $14,815.1 to MINA HOLDINGS LLC for work described as: FY26 3RD QTR FOOD SERVICE Key points: 1. Contract value of $14.8 million for a 3-month period. 2. Awarded to MINA HOLDINGS LLC under a competitive SAP process. 3. Potential risk associated with a single vendor for essential services. 4. Focuses on food manufacturing for the Federal Prison System.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $14.8 million for a 90-day period suggests a high per-diem cost. Benchmarking against similar food service contracts for correctional facilities is needed to assess pricing fairness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a limited competition environment. This may have restricted the number of potential bidders and potentially impacted price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests an effort to streamline procurement for smaller value contracts, but the $14.8M value for 90 days warrants scrutiny to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Ensures essential food services for inmates within the Federal Prison System. Supports a specific vendor, MINA HOLDINGS LLC, for a critical operational need. Impacts the daily lives and well-being of incarcerated individuals. Contributes to the operational budget of the Bureau of Prisons.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP for a significant contract value.
Potential for price inflation due to restricted bidding.
Reliance on a single vendor for essential services.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a specific company, potentially supporting business growth.
Clear contract duration and fixed price terms.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' category, supporting the operational needs of government institutions. Benchmarks for food service contracts in correctional facilities are typically based on per-inmate-per-day costs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the contract was awarded to MINA HOLDINGS LLC. Further analysis is needed to determine if this is a small business and if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or utilized.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Justice's Federal Prison System is responsible for oversight. The use of SAP and a fixed-price purchase order suggests a defined scope, but monitoring vendor performance and adherence to quality standards is crucial.

Related Government Programs

All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing
Department of Justice Contracting
Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Reliance on a single vendor
High per-diem cost indication

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $14,815.1 to MINA HOLDINGS LLC. FY26 3RD QTR FOOD SERVICE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MINA HOLDINGS 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 $14,815.1.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the average per-inmate-per-day food cost associated with this contract, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks for correctional facilities?

To determine the per-inmate-per-day cost, we need the inmate population served during the contract period. Assuming an average daily population of 1,500 inmates for 90 days, the daily cost would be approximately $32,913 ($14.8M / 90 days). This figure needs to be compared against established benchmarks for correctional food services, which can vary significantly by region and facility type, to assess value for money.

What specific factors led to the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for a contract valued at $14.8 million, and what was the rationale for limited competition?

The use of SAP for this contract value suggests that the contracting agency may have deemed the procurement to fall under specific exceptions or thresholds that allow for simplified procedures, potentially due to urgency, specific market conditions, or the nature of the goods/services. The rationale for limited competition would likely stem from these same factors, possibly involving specialized requirements or a limited number of qualified vendors identified through market research.

How will the Federal Prison System ensure the quality and nutritional adequacy of the food provided under this contract, given the fixed-price nature and potential for cost-cutting by the vendor?

The Federal Prison System will likely ensure quality through contract performance standards, regular inspections, and adherence to nutritional guidelines established by the Bureau of Prisons. The fixed-price contract incentivizes the vendor to manage costs, but oversight mechanisms such as quality assurance surveillance plans (QASP) and inmate feedback channels are critical to monitor compliance and address any deficiencies promptly.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Food Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15B11926Q00000006

Offers Received: 23

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3901 DERRY ST, HARRISBURG, PA, 17111

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,815

Exercised Options: $14,815

Current Obligation: $14,815

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline