DOJ's Morabito Baking Co. awarded $1.8M for bread, with 3 bidders competing for a 90-day contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,280 ($18.3K)

Contractor: Morabito Baking CO Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $203/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 2ND QTR FY26 BREAD

Place of Performance

Location: DANBURY, FAIRFIELD County, CONNECTICUT, 06811

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $18,280 to MORABITO BAKING CO INC for work described as: 2ND QTR FY26 BREAD Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant portion of the agency's spending on perishable food manufacturing for the specified period. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially healthy market for this specific food service requirement. 3. The short duration of the contract suggests a need for immediate or short-term supply, potentially limiting long-term strategic partnerships. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts risk to the contractor, ensuring cost certainty for the government. 5. This award falls within the broader category of essential support services for federal correctional facilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $1.828 million for a 90-day period for bread suggests a substantial per-diem cost for inmate sustenance. Benchmarking against similar contracts for food services in federal correctional facilities would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the presence of multiple bidders implies a degree of market competitiveness that typically helps in achieving reasonable pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), with three bidders participating. This indicates a level of competition that, while not a full-scale open bidding process, is sufficient to explore market options and potentially secure competitive pricing for this requirement. The number of bidders suggests that the market for this specific product is not overly concentrated.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition among three bidders for this essential food supply provides a reasonable assurance that taxpayer funds are being utilized efficiently, preventing potential overpricing that could occur in a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will benefit from a consistent supply of bread. The services delivered are critical for the daily sustenance and operational needs of correctional facilities. The geographic impact is primarily within the facilities served by the Bureau of Prisons, with Connecticut noted as the state of the contractor. The contract supports the food service workforce within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price fluctuations in raw materials impacting long-term cost stability if contracts were longer.
Ensuring consistent quality and timely delivery of perishable goods requires robust logistical oversight.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Multiple bidders indicate a healthy competitive environment for this type of procurement.
The award to Morabito Baking Co. Inc. supports an existing business providing essential goods.

Sector Analysis

The food manufacturing and distribution sector is a critical component of the broader logistics and support services industry that underpins federal operations, particularly in correctional environments. Spending in this area is often characterized by recurring needs for perishable and non-perishable goods. While specific benchmarks for bread procurement are difficult to isolate without more granular data, the overall federal spending on food services for institutions is substantial, reflecting the scale of government operations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP, which often favors small businesses. However, there is no explicit indication of a small business set-aside. If Morabito Baking Co. Inc. is a small business, this award would directly benefit the small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities for other small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Prisons' contracting officers and program managers. Accountability is ensured through the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, allowing for general public and watchdog group review.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Bureau of Prisons Commissary Operations
Perishable Food Procurement
Correctional Facility Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for increased administrative costs due to short contract duration and frequent re-procurement.
Risk of supply chain disruption for perishable goods within a limited timeframe.
Need for robust quality control and delivery monitoring for perishable items.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $18,280 to MORABITO BAKING CO INC. 2ND QTR FY26 BREAD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MORABITO BAKING CO INC.

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 $18,280.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of Justice on bread and similar food items?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for the Department of Justice (DOJ) on bread and similar food items would involve reviewing past contract awards for food services within its various agencies, particularly the Federal Prison System (FPS). This would entail identifying trends in contract values, durations, competition levels, and pricing over several fiscal years. For instance, examining the average cost per unit or per inmate per day for bread over time can reveal inflationary pressures or efficiencies gained through different procurement strategies. Understanding these patterns helps in assessing whether the current $1.828 million award for a 90-day period is consistent with historical norms or represents a significant deviation, potentially indicating changes in market conditions, inmate populations, or agency requirements. Without access to a comprehensive database of past DOJ food procurement contracts, a precise historical analysis is not possible, but such an analysis would typically involve looking for multi-year trends and comparing contract values against inflation indices.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar bread procurements for other federal agencies?

To compare the pricing of this $1.828 million contract for bread with similar procurements by other federal agencies, one would need access to a database of federal contract awards, specifically filtering for food services, bread, and correctional facilities or similar institutional settings. Key metrics for comparison would include the price per loaf, price per pound, or the cost per inmate per day. The current contract's duration of 90 days and its firm-fixed-price nature provide a specific cost structure. Benchmarking against contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Defense (which operates military bases with dining facilities) or the Department of Health and Human Services (for facilities like the Indian Health Service) could reveal significant price differences. Factors such as geographic location, delivery logistics, specific quality requirements (e.g., whole wheat, enriched), and the volume of the order heavily influence pricing. A higher price per unit might be justified by remote delivery locations or specialized product needs, while a lower price could indicate economies of scale or a more competitive bidding environment.

What is Morabito Baking Co. Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Justice?

Assessing Morabito Baking Co. Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, especially with the Department of Justice (DOJ), requires searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. This search would identify all previous contracts awarded to the company, including the agencies involved, contract values, types of goods or services provided, and performance history. For the DOJ, specific attention would be paid to any prior awards for food services or bread to federal correctional facilities. A review of past performance evaluations, if publicly available, would indicate the company's reliability in terms of quality, timeliness, and adherence to contract terms. A history of successful, on-time deliveries and positive performance reviews would suggest a lower risk for this current contract. Conversely, a record of contract terminations, disputes, or poor performance would raise concerns about the company's ability to meet the requirements of this new award.

What are the potential risks associated with a short-duration contract for perishable goods like bread?

Short-duration contracts for perishable goods like bread, such as this 90-day award, present specific risks. One primary risk is the potential for increased administrative burden and cost associated with frequent re-procurement. Each new contract award requires time and resources for solicitation, evaluation, and award, which can be inefficient if done repeatedly. For perishable items, there's also a risk of supply chain disruptions or quality degradation if the contractor faces unforeseen challenges during the short period, and the government has limited recourse or time to find an alternative. Furthermore, short contracts may disincentivize contractors from making significant investments in process improvements or specialized equipment, potentially leading to less competitive pricing or suboptimal quality over the long term. The government also misses opportunities to build stable, long-term relationships with reliable suppliers that can foster greater efficiency and cost savings.

How does the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation impact the overall value and competition for this contract?

The designation 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) indicates that this contract was awarded using a streamlined procurement process designed for purchases below a certain dollar threshold (typically $250,000, though this can be higher for certain categories or agencies). For a contract valued at $1.828 million, this designation is unusual and suggests that either the threshold was significantly higher for this specific type of procurement (e.g., under specific exceptions or for certain types of services/goods) or there might be a misunderstanding in the data provided, as SAP is generally for smaller acquisitions. If it genuinely falls under SAP, it implies that the procurement process was less formal than full and open competition, potentially involving fewer documentation requirements and a quicker award timeline. While SAP can foster competition among a broader range of vendors, including small businesses, it might not always achieve the same level of price discovery or market penetration as larger, more formal competitive processes. The fact that three bidders participated suggests a reasonable level of interest within the SAP framework.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Food Manufacturing › Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 757 KOHN ST, NORRISTOWN, PA, 19401

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,280

Exercised Options: $18,280

Current Obligation: $18,280

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline