DOJ's $204M National Menu contract awarded to M & B Products, Inc. for fluid milk manufacturing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $204,578 ($204.6K)

Contractor: M & B Products, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-01-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 89 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL MENU 2ND QTR FY26

Place of Performance

Location: TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH County, FLORIDA, 33637

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $204,578.14 to M & B PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: NATIONAL MENU 2ND QTR FY26 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of fluid milk manufacturing for federal prisons. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially competitive award process under SAP. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract type and short duration. 4. Performance context is within the Federal Prison System's operational needs. 5. Sector positioning is within the food manufacturing and supply chain for government institutions.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $204.58 million for fluid milk manufacturing over a 3-month period (Q2 FY26) suggests a significant operational requirement. Benchmarking against similar large-scale food supply contracts for correctional facilities would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government, but the specific per-unit cost analysis is needed to fully assess pricing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Small Acquisition Procedures), suggesting it was likely solicited from a pre-approved list of vendors or through simplified acquisition processes. With 3 bidders, the competition level appears moderate for this type of specialized food service contract. This level of competition can lead to price discovery, but may not achieve the same level of cost savings as a full and open competition with a larger bidder pool.

Taxpayer Impact: A moderate level of competition suggests that taxpayers are likely receiving a fair price, but there may be opportunities for greater savings if more vendors were engaged.

Public Impact

Federal inmates across the Bureau of Prisons system will benefit from a consistent supply of fluid milk. This contract ensures the provision of essential nutritional components for inmate meal programs. The geographic impact is nationwide, supporting correctional facilities across various states. Workforce implications include support for M & B Products, Inc.'s manufacturing and distribution operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions impacting delivery schedules.
Ensuring consistent quality and nutritional standards across all deliveries.
Managing fluctuations in raw material costs for milk production.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits cost overruns.
Established vendor with experience in government contracts.
Short contract duration minimizes long-term price exposure.

Sector Analysis

The food manufacturing sector, particularly for institutional supply, is a critical component of government operations. This contract falls within the broader food and beverage industry, with specific application to correctional services. Comparable spending benchmarks for large-scale dairy procurement by government entities would provide further context on the scale and pricing of this award.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal unless M & B Products, Inc. voluntarily engages small businesses in its supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Bureau of Prisons contracting officers and program managers responsible for inmate services. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Bureau of Prisons Commissary Operations
Department of Justice Food Procurement
National School Lunch Program (comparable scale of food procurement)

Risk Flags

Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Potential for supply chain vulnerabilities impacting delivery.
Ensuring consistent product quality across all facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $204,578.14 to M & B PRODUCTS, INC.. NATIONAL MENU 2ND QTR FY26

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is M & B PRODUCTS, 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 $204,578.14.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the historical spending pattern for fluid milk manufacturing for the Federal Prison System?

Historical spending data for fluid milk manufacturing for the Federal Prison System is not directly available in the provided snippet. However, the current award of $204.58 million for a single quarter (Q2 FY26) suggests a substantial and ongoing requirement. To understand historical patterns, one would need to examine previous contract awards for similar products and quantities over multiple fiscal years. This would involve looking at contract databases for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and identifying contracts related to dairy products, milk, and inmate nutrition. Analyzing trends in spending, contract duration, and vendor awards over time would reveal whether this $204 million quarterly expenditure is consistent with past outlays, or if it represents an increase or decrease in demand or pricing.

How does the per-unit cost of milk under this contract compare to market rates or similar government contracts?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit cost information for the fluid milk being procured under this contract. Therefore, a direct comparison to market rates or similar government contracts is not possible with the given details. To perform such an analysis, one would need to know the quantity of milk (e.g., gallons, liters) being purchased and the total price paid for that quantity. Once the per-unit cost is calculated, it could be benchmarked against average retail prices for milk in the relevant geographic regions (Florida, in this case, as indicated by 'ST': 'FL') and against per-unit costs from other federal or state correctional facility contracts for dairy products. Without this unit cost data, assessing the value for money in terms of pricing efficiency remains incomplete.

What is M & B Products, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly in food supply?

M & B Products, Inc. is listed as the contractor for this federal award. To assess their track record, a review of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary. This would involve searching for previous contracts awarded to M & B Products, Inc. by various federal agencies, paying close attention to contracts for food supply, dairy products, or services to correctional facilities. Key aspects to examine would include the number of contracts awarded, their value, duration, performance history (if available), and any instances of contract disputes, terminations, or awards for excellence. A strong history of successful, on-time, and within-budget contract performance would indicate reliability, while a pattern of issues might raise concerns about their capacity to fulfill this large contract effectively.

What are the primary risks associated with this fluid milk manufacturing contract?

The primary risks associated with this fluid milk manufacturing contract include potential supply chain disruptions, which could affect the timely delivery of milk to federal prisons. Fluctuations in the cost of raw materials, such as feed for dairy cows and energy for processing and transportation, could impact M & B Products, Inc.'s profitability under the firm fixed-price agreement, potentially leading to quality compromises if not managed effectively. Ensuring consistent quality and adherence to nutritional standards across all deliveries is another critical risk area, as deviations could impact inmate health and morale. Furthermore, the short duration of the contract (89 days) necessitates rapid ramp-up and execution, increasing the risk of initial operational challenges if not adequately planned for.

How does the competition level (3 bidders) impact the price discovery and potential savings for taxpayers?

With three bidders competing under Small Acquisition Procedures (SAP), the price discovery mechanism is present but may be less robust than in a full and open competition. While three bidders suggest some level of market interest and potential for competitive pricing, it is a limited pool. This means that M & B Products, Inc. may have faced less pressure to offer the absolute lowest price compared to a scenario with numerous bidders vying for the contract. Taxpayers benefit from the competition to the extent that it prevents a single vendor from dictating terms. However, the potential for greater savings might exist if a broader solicitation process could have attracted more suppliers, driving prices down further through increased market pressure and potentially uncovering more cost-effective solutions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Dairy Product Manufacturing › Fluid Milk 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: 8601 HARNEY RD, TAMPA, FL, 33637

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $204,578

Exercised Options: $204,578

Current Obligation: $204,578

Actual Outlays: $125,114

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline