DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $9.6K contract for boots, with 26 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,555 ($9.6K)

Contractor: Saf-Gard Safety Shoe CO

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FCI LEWISBURG FY26 SAF-GARD BOOT ORDERS STAFF BOOTS ORDER - VARIOUS PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FOR 10-1-25 TO 9-30-26 CR ACTIVE FROM 10-1-25 TO 1-30-26

Place of Performance

Location: LEWISBURG, UNION County, PENNSYLVANIA, 27404

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $9,555.47 to SAF-GARD SAFETY SHOE CO for work described as: FCI LEWISBURG FY26 SAF-GARD BOOT ORDERS STAFF BOOTS ORDER - VARIOUS PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FOR 10-1-25 TO 9-30-26 CR ACTIVE FROM 10-1-25 TO 1-30-26 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via competitive procurement, suggesting potential for good value. 2. Limited contract value may indicate a routine or low-risk requirement. 3. Performance period spans one year, aligning with typical operational needs. 4. Footwear manufacturing sector is mature, with established suppliers. 5. No indication of small business set-aside, but competition level is high. 6. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $9,555.47 is relatively small, making a direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. However, the procurement was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically applies to purchases under $250,000. The number of bids (26) suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement, which generally leads to favorable pricing for the government. Without specific per-unit data or market benchmarks for these particular boots, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive nature is a positive indicator.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a full and open competition for a requirement valued below $250,000. The solicitation received 26 bids, demonstrating a robust level of market interest and competition. This high number of bidders suggests that the market is accessible and that the government had a good selection of potential suppliers, which typically drives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely resulted in a lower price than if it had been awarded on a sole-source basis. The government secured multiple offers, allowing for price discovery and selection of the most advantageous bid.

Public Impact

Federal inmates will receive SAF-GARD safety boots, ensuring compliance with safety standards. The contract supports the operational needs of the Federal Prison System within the Bureau of Prisons. The geographic impact is primarily within the facilities served by the Bureau of Prisons. The contract supports the footwear manufacturing industry, potentially including jobs in manufacturing and distribution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases in future solicitations if competition wanes.
Dependence on a single supplier for a critical item could pose a risk if not managed.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process indicates a focus on achieving good value.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the duration.
Clear performance period reduces ambiguity for the contractor and agency.

Sector Analysis

The footwear manufacturing industry (NAICS 316210) is a well-established sector. Government contracts for footwear, particularly safety boots, are common to support various agencies, including correctional facilities, military, and law enforcement. The market is characterized by numerous domestic and international manufacturers. This contract represents a small portion of overall federal spending on apparel and footwear, which is often procured through competitive bidding to leverage economies of scale and ensure fair pricing.

Small Business Impact

This contract was competed under SAP and did not have a specific small business set-aside. While the awardee is not explicitly identified as a small business, the high number of bids (26) suggests that small businesses had the opportunity to compete. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans, but for a contract of this size, significant subcontracting is less common.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Purchase Order, which is a standard procurement instrument. Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program officials within the Bureau of Prisons responsible for inmate safety and equipment. Transparency is provided through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Apparel and Footwear Procurement
Bureau of Prisons Inmate Welfare Fund
Department of Justice General Services Administration Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract value is below the threshold for extensive reporting, limiting detailed analysis.
Specific product details for the boots are not provided, hindering precise benchmarking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $9,555.47 to SAF-GARD SAFETY SHOE CO. FCI LEWISBURG FY26 SAF-GARD BOOT ORDERS STAFF BOOTS ORDER - VARIOUS PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FOR 10-1-25 TO 9-30-26 CR ACTIVE FROM 10-1-25 TO 1-30-26

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SAF-GARD SAFETY SHOE CO.

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 $9,555.47.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the typical price range for similar safety boots procured by the federal government?

Determining the exact price range for 'SAF-GARD BOOT ORDERS STAFF BOOTS' is challenging without specific product details (e.g., material, safety features, brand). However, federal procurement data indicates that safety boots can range significantly in price. For similar firm-fixed-price purchase orders under SAP, per-pair costs for work or safety boots can vary from $30 to over $100, depending on the specifications and the number of units ordered. Given the total award of $9,555.47 and assuming a typical order size for staff boots (e.g., 100-200 pairs), the per-unit cost likely falls within this general range. The 26 bids received suggest the government aimed for competitive pricing within the market norms for such footwear.

How does the number of bids (26) compare to similar procurements for footwear by the Bureau of Prisons?

A total of 26 bids for a footwear procurement under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) is generally considered a strong indicator of robust competition. For procurements in the $1,000 to $10,000 range, receiving more than 5-10 bids often signifies a healthy market response. The Bureau of Prisons, like other large federal agencies, procures a variety of goods and services. While specific historical bid counts for identical items are not readily available, 26 bids suggest that the market for these specific boots is accessible and that the solicitation was well-publicized or targeted to relevant vendors. This high number of offers is advantageous for price discovery and securing favorable terms for the government.

What are the potential risks associated with a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract for boots?

The primary risk with a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract for boots lies with the contractor. If the contractor's costs for materials, labor, or manufacturing increase unexpectedly during the performance period, they absorb those losses, potentially impacting their profitability or willingness to bid on future contracts. For the government, the main risk is paying a premium if the initial price was set too high due to optimistic cost estimates by the contractor or insufficient competition. However, FFP contracts are generally preferred for routine supply items like boots because they offer cost certainty to the government and incentivize contractor efficiency. The risk is mitigated by the competitive bidding process, which should drive the price down to a reasonable level.

What is the historical spending pattern for footwear by the Federal Prison System?

Historical spending data for footwear by the Federal Prison System (FPS) indicates a consistent need for various types of footwear, including boots, for both inmates and staff. While specific annual totals fluctuate based on requirements and budget allocations, the FPS regularly procures footwear through competitive solicitations. Spending in this category typically falls under the broader 'Apparel and Footwear' or 'General Services' procurement umbrellas. The total federal spending on footwear can reach tens to hundreds of millions of dollars annually across all agencies. The Bureau of Prisons' spending on boots, like this $9.6K order, represents a small but recurring part of their overall operational budget, reflecting the ongoing need to equip and maintain safety standards for their population.

How does the 'Footwear Manufacturing' (NAICS 316210) sector typically engage with federal government contracts?

The Footwear Manufacturing sector (NAICS 316210) engages with federal government contracts primarily as a supplier of boots, shoes, and related items for various agencies, including correctional facilities, military branches, and law enforcement. Companies in this sector often compete for contracts ranging from small purchase orders, like the one awarded by the Bureau of Prisons, to larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts. Engagement typically involves responding to solicitations, demonstrating manufacturing capabilities, meeting quality and safety standards (e.g., Berry Amendment compliance if applicable), and offering competitive pricing. The sector includes both large manufacturers and smaller specialized firms, many of whom actively pursue government contracts to ensure stable demand and revenue.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Footwear Manufacturing › Footwear Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CLOTHING, INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT, INSIGNA, AND JEWELRY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2701 PATTERSON ST, GREENSBORO, NC, 27407

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,090

Exercised Options: $10,090

Current Obligation: $9,555

Actual Outlays: $7,151

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline