DOJ's $15.4K contract for kosher food items awarded to L.A. FOODS, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,439 ($15.4K)

Contractor: L.A. Foods, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-01-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 89 days

Daily Burn Rate: $173/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FCI SCHUYLKILL FY26 2ND QUARTER KOSHER ITEMS - LA FOODS

Place of Performance

Location: AGOURA HILLS, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91301

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $15,439.36 to L.A. FOODS, LLC for work described as: FCI SCHUYLKILL FY26 2ND QUARTER KOSHER ITEMS - LA FOODS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for kosher food items, indicating a specific dietary need within the Federal Prison System. 2. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a localized or specialized requirement. 3. Awarded to L.A. FOODS, LLC, a single vendor for this specific procurement. 4. The contract duration is short, covering the second quarter of FY26. 5. The procurement method was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', suggesting a streamlined process for smaller value purchases. 6. The contract type is 'PURCHASE ORDER' with a 'FIRM FIXED PRICE', providing cost certainty. 7. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 311999 covers 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $15,439.36 for kosher food items over a 3-month period appears reasonable for a specialized dietary requirement within a correctional facility. Without specific itemized costs or a direct comparison to similar procurements for kosher items in other federal facilities, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed price suggests cost predictability for the Bureau of Prisons.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a limited number of bidders, often through electronic portals or pre-qualified lists. While the data indicates it was 'competed', the exact number of bids received beyond the awardee is not specified. The use of SAP suggests a focus on efficiency for lower-value procurements, but may limit the breadth of competition compared to full and open solicitations.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competing under SAP aims to reduce administrative costs and speed up delivery for smaller needs. However, it's crucial that even within SAP, sufficient competition is sought to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential overspending on specialized items.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System requiring kosher food items will benefit from this contract. The services delivered include the provision of specific food products meeting kosher dietary standards. The geographic impact is likely limited to the FCI SCHUYLKILL facility in California. There are no direct workforce implications mentioned for this specific contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to the specialized nature of kosher food items and the use of SAP.
Reliance on a single vendor, L.A. FOODS, LLC, for this specific procurement could pose a risk if supply chain issues arise.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes it difficult to benchmark unit prices against market rates.

Positive Signals

The contract specifies a 'FIRM FIXED PRICE', providing budget certainty for the Bureau of Prisons.
The use of 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' indicates an effort to streamline the acquisition process for this relatively small value purchase.
The award to L.A. FOODS, LLC suggests the vendor is capable of meeting the specific kosher dietary requirements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader food manufacturing and distribution sector, specifically catering to niche dietary requirements. The Federal Prison System, managed by the Bureau of Prisons, is a significant consumer of food products, often requiring adherence to specific standards, including religious dietary laws like kosher. While the overall federal spending on food services is substantial, individual contracts for specialized items like kosher food are typically smaller in value and may be sourced from specialized suppliers. Market size for kosher food items within institutional settings is difficult to quantify precisely but is a necessary component of diverse food service contracts.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business set-aside was not utilized ('sb': false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. For this specific contract, the focus appears to be on meeting a specialized need rather than promoting small business participation through set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), a division of the Department of Justice. The BOP has established procurement regulations and contract management procedures to ensure compliance. The Inspector General of the Department of Justice would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any irregularities were detected. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are not publicly available for all contracts.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Bureau of Prisons Commissary Operations
Dietary Support Services in Federal Institutions
Food Procurement for Government Agencies

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition
Reliance on a single vendor
Lack of detailed cost breakdown for benchmarking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $15,439.36 to L.A. FOODS, LLC. FCI SCHUYLKILL FY26 2ND QUARTER KOSHER ITEMS - LA FOODS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is L.A. FOODS, 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 $15,439.36.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of L.A. FOODS, LLC in supplying to the federal government, particularly the Bureau of Prisons?

Information regarding the specific track record of L.A. FOODS, LLC in supplying to the federal government, and particularly the Bureau of Prisons, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS for past awards, performance evaluations, and any reported issues. Without this historical data, it's difficult to assess their reliability, past performance quality, or adherence to delivery schedules for similar contracts. The current award is a Purchase Order, suggesting a transactional relationship for a specific need.

How does the unit cost of these kosher food items compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?

The provided data does not include specific unit costs for the kosher food items, only the total contract value ($15,439.36) for the specified period. To compare unit costs, one would need an itemized list of the food products and their quantities. Benchmarking against market rates would involve researching prices from commercial suppliers of kosher food products. Comparing to similar federal contracts would require identifying other Bureau of Prisons or federal agency contracts for kosher food items, which may be difficult due to the specialized nature and potential variations in product specifications and quantities. The 'FIRM FIXED PRICE' nature of the contract provides cost certainty but doesn't inherently guarantee the lowest possible price without competitive benchmarking.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, considering it's a sole-source award under SAP for specialized food items?

While the data states the contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', the award to a single entity, L.A. FOODS, LLC, for these specific kosher items could imply limited competition or a specialized vendor requirement. Key risks include potential supply chain disruptions if L.A. FOODS, LLC faces issues, leading to shortages for inmates requiring kosher meals. There's also a risk of paying a premium if the competition under SAP was not robust enough to drive down prices, especially for niche products. Furthermore, ensuring consistent quality and adherence to kosher certification standards throughout the contract period requires diligent oversight by the Bureau of Prisons.

What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in meeting the dietary needs of inmates at FCI SCHUYLKILL?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on L.A. FOODS, LLC's ability to consistently supply the specified kosher food items in the required quantities and quality, meeting all relevant kosher certifications. Assuming the vendor is reputable and the Bureau of Prisons has adequate quality assurance measures in place, the contract should be effective in meeting the dietary needs of inmates requiring kosher meals during the second quarter of FY26. The firm fixed price structure aims to ensure budget predictability, contributing to the planned delivery of these services. However, effectiveness is ultimately measured by the satisfaction of the dietary requirements and the smooth operation of food services without interruption.

How does the spending on kosher food items at FCI SCHUYLKILL compare to historical spending patterns for this facility or similar institutions?

The provided data only covers a single contract for a specific quarter (FY26 Q2). To assess historical spending patterns, one would need access to procurement data for FCI SCHUYLKILL over multiple fiscal years, specifically looking for contracts related to kosher food items or general food services. Comparing this $15.4K contract to previous periods or similar federal correctional institutions would reveal trends in demand, pricing, and vendor utilization. Without this historical context, it's impossible to determine if this spending is consistent, increasing, or decreasing relative to past requirements or peer facilities.

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: RFQP02132600006

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5115 CLARETON DR STE 200, AGOURA HILLS, CA, 91301

Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,439

Exercised Options: $15,439

Current Obligation: $15,439

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline