DOJ's $40.5K toilet paper purchase for Federal Prison System awarded to Outlook-Nebraska, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,522 ($40.5K)

Contractor: Outlook-Nebraska, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 28 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 2ND QTR FULL TRUCK TOILET PAPER- OUTLOOK NEBRASKA ABILITY ONE

Place of Performance

Location: OMAHA, DOUGLAS County, NEBRASKA, 68127

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $40,521.6 to OUTLOOK-NEBRASKA, INC. for work described as: FY26 2ND QTR FULL TRUCK TOILET PAPER- OUTLOOK NEBRASKA ABILITY ONE Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through comparison with similar sanitary paper product procurements. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a sole-source award, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators include the sole-source nature and short performance period. 4. Performance context is a routine supply of essential sanitary products. 5. Sector positioning within the broader 'Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing' category. 6. The contract's value is relatively small in the context of federal spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $40,521.60 for toilet paper is modest. Benchmarking against similar federal procurements for sanitary paper products would be necessary to definitively assess value for money. Given the sole-source nature, a direct comparison to competitively bid contracts is challenging. However, the price appears reasonable for the quantity and type of product typically supplied under such agreements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. The data indicates the contract type is 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. This limits the opportunity for multiple vendors to bid, which can affect the final price and potentially reduce innovation. The specific justification for the sole-source award was not provided in the data.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can sometimes lead to higher prices for taxpayers compared to competitive processes, as there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest possible price.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will benefit from the provision of essential sanitary supplies. The service delivered is the supply of toilet paper, a basic necessity. The geographic impact is limited to facilities served by the Federal Prison System in Nebraska. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to the manufacturing and distribution operations of Outlook-Nebraska, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Sole-source awards require strong justification to ensure fairness and prevent potential abuse.
Short contract duration (28 days) may indicate a need for immediate supply or a placeholder for a larger, future requirement.

Positive Signals

Award to Outlook-Nebraska, Inc., an AbilityOne participating organization, supports employment for individuals with disabilities.
Ensures a consistent supply of essential sanitary products to federal correctional facilities.
The contract is a firm fixed price, providing cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing' industry, a niche within the broader paper and packaging sector. Federal agencies regularly procure such essential supplies. While the overall federal spending on sanitary products is substantial, individual contracts like this are typically small. The market for these products is generally stable, with established manufacturers and distributors serving government needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded to Outlook-Nebraska, Inc., which is an AbilityOne participating organization. The AbilityOne program is a federal initiative that provides employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. While this contract may not be a traditional small business set-aside, it fulfills a similar social objective by supporting employment for a specific population. There is no explicit information on subcontracting implications for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Federal Prison System's contracting officers and potentially the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General, especially if any irregularities were suspected. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, with penalties for non-performance. The firm fixed-price nature also provides a degree of financial accountability.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Supplies
Sanitary and Cleaning Supplies Procurement
AbilityOne Program Contracts
Department of Justice Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification
Potential for non-competitive pricing
Short contract duration may indicate ad-hoc procurement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $40,521.6 to OUTLOOK-NEBRASKA, INC.. FY26 2ND QTR FULL TRUCK TOILET PAPER- OUTLOOK NEBRASKA ABILITY ONE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OUTLOOK-NEBRASKA, 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 $40,521.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the track record of Outlook-Nebraska, Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for sanitary supplies?

Outlook-Nebraska, Inc. is a participant in the AbilityOne program, which signifies its role in providing employment for individuals with disabilities. While specific details on their historical performance for this exact product category across all federal agencies are not provided in this data snippet, their participation in AbilityOne suggests a commitment to social objectives alongside contract fulfillment. Federal agencies typically monitor contractor performance through past performance evaluations. For a comprehensive understanding, one would need to review their performance history on contracts awarded through FPDS or other federal procurement databases, looking for any reported issues or commendations related to delivery timeliness, product quality, and overall satisfaction.

How does the price of this toilet paper contract compare to other federal procurements for similar items, considering quantity and quality?

Direct price comparison is difficult without knowing the exact specifications (ply, roll size, quantity per case) and the specific contract terms of other procurements. However, the total contract value of $40,521.60 for a 28-day period suggests a recurring need. Federal Prison System facilities require substantial quantities of sanitary supplies. If this represents a typical monthly or quarterly order, the unit price would need to be benchmarked against other federal contracts for bulk sanitary paper products. The sole-source nature of this award means it may not represent the lowest possible price achievable through open competition. A detailed analysis would involve comparing the price per roll or per case against competitively awarded contracts for similar items.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source award for toilet paper?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source award is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competition. Without multiple bids, Outlook-Nebraska, Inc. may not have had the same incentive to offer the most competitive price. Another risk is the lack of transparency in the justification for the sole-source award; if the justification is weak or non-existent, it raises concerns about fairness and adherence to procurement regulations. Furthermore, the short duration of the contract (28 days) could indicate a stop-gap measure, potentially leading to administrative overhead if it's frequently re-awarded or extended without proper justification. Finally, reliance on a single source can create supply chain vulnerabilities if the contractor faces production or delivery issues.

How effective is the Federal Prison System in procuring essential sanitary supplies like toilet paper?

The Federal Prison System's effectiveness in procuring essential sanitary supplies is generally considered adequate, as evidenced by the consistent availability of such items. This specific contract indicates a routine procurement process is in place. However, the effectiveness can be further evaluated by examining the overall cost efficiency across all its sanitary supply contracts and the timeliness of deliveries. The system aims to provide necessary items while adhering to federal procurement regulations. The use of sole-source awards, as seen here, can sometimes be a point of concern regarding cost-effectiveness compared to competitive bidding, suggesting potential areas for improvement in procurement strategy to maximize value for taxpayers.

What are the historical spending patterns for sanitary paper products by the Federal Prison System or the Department of Justice?

Historical spending patterns for sanitary paper products by the Federal Prison System (FPS) and the broader Department of Justice (DOJ) would typically show consistent, significant expenditure due to the large inmate population and the essential nature of these supplies. These procurements are often managed through a combination of large-scale contracts and smaller, localized awards. Spending levels are influenced by the number of facilities, inmate population size, and prevailing market prices for paper products. Analyzing past FPDS data would reveal trends in contract values, award types (competitive vs. sole-source), and the primary contractors utilized. Such analysis is crucial for budgeting, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and ensuring adequate supply chain management.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Converted Paper Product Manufacturing › Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: TOILETRIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4125 S 72ND ST, OMAHA, NE, 68127

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $40,522

Exercised Options: $40,522

Current Obligation: $40,522

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline