DOJ awards $40.5K for toilet paper to Outlook-Nebraska, Inc. for FCC Coleman Complex

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,496 ($40.5K)

Contractor: Outlook-Nebraska, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 175 days

Daily Burn Rate: $231/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TOILET PAPER FOR FCC COLEMAN COMPLEX

Place of Performance

Location: OMAHA, DOUGLAS County, NEBRASKA, 68127

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $40,496.4 to OUTLOOK-NEBRASKA, INC. for work described as: TOILET PAPER FOR FCC COLEMAN COMPLEX Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the fixed-price nature and short duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competed contract, suggesting potential for fair pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the commodity nature of the purchase and established vendor. 4. Performance context is a short-term supply need for a federal facility. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader 'Other' category, specifically for facility supplies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $40,496.40 for toilet paper over approximately five months appears reasonable. As a purchase order for a commodity, extensive benchmarking is difficult, but the price per unit is likely competitive given the nature of the procurement. The firm fixed-price structure limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating that multiple vendors were likely solicited. While the exact number of bids isn't provided, this method generally promotes competition for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold. The presence of multiple bidders would typically lead to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed contract, even under SAP, suggests that taxpayers are likely receiving a fair market price for the toilet paper, as vendors would have incentive to offer competitive bids.

Public Impact

Inmates and staff at the FCC Coleman Complex will benefit from the provision of essential sanitary supplies. The service delivered is the supply of toilet paper, a basic necessity for facility operations. The geographic impact is localized to the FCC Coleman Complex in Nebraska. There are no significant workforce implications associated with this specific contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Contract was competed, indicating potential for competitive pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risk.
Short duration limits long-term financial commitment and potential for price escalation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the broad category of facility maintenance and supplies, specifically sanitary paper products. The market for such goods is mature and highly competitive, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. Federal agencies regularly procure these items, and spending benchmarks are generally established based on volume and product specifications. This specific award is a small component of overall federal spending on general supplies.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it mention subcontracting requirements. Given the nature of the product and the vendor, it's possible Outlook-Nebraska, Inc. is a small business, but this cannot be confirmed from the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order issued by the Department of Justice, Federal Prison System, this contract is subject to internal agency oversight and potentially audits by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS.gov, where such awards are reported.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Supplies
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contracts
Facility Maintenance and Operations Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor performance issues (though low for commodity)
Supply chain disruption risk (though low for commodity)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $40,496.4 to OUTLOOK-NEBRASKA, INC.. TOILET PAPER FOR FCC COLEMAN COMPLEX

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 $40,496.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Outlook-Nebraska, Inc. with federal contracts?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to assess Outlook-Nebraska, Inc.'s track record. This would involve examining past awards, contract performance history, any reported issues or disputes, and the types of goods or services they have previously supplied. Without this specific data, it is difficult to comment on their reliability or past performance with the federal government. However, their selection for this contract suggests they met the basic requirements for award.

How does the price per unit compare to similar federal toilet paper contracts?

To compare the price per unit, one would need access to historical data for similar toilet paper procurements by the Federal Prison System or other federal agencies. This would involve identifying contracts with comparable quantities, quality specifications, and delivery locations. Factors such as bulk discounts, contract duration, and the specific type of toilet paper (e.g., ply, recycled content) can significantly influence per-unit pricing. Without this comparative data, a precise benchmark is not possible, though the overall contract value suggests a moderate volume.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract are minimal due to its nature. Potential risks include supply chain disruptions affecting Outlook-Nebraska, Inc.'s ability to deliver, although this is less likely for a commodity like toilet paper. Another minor risk could be the quality of the product not meeting expectations, but this is typically managed through product specifications and acceptance testing. Given the short duration and fixed-price nature, financial risks for the government are very low.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) process for ensuring value in this type of procurement?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000). For a relatively small purchase like toilet paper, SAP is generally effective in ensuring value by allowing for more efficient competition among vendors. It reduces administrative burden and speeds up delivery compared to full-scale competitive bidding. The key is ensuring adequate competition is solicited within the SAP framework to achieve fair market prices.

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

Analyzing historical spending patterns for toilet paper by the Federal Prison System would require accessing and aggregating data from federal procurement databases over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in annual spending, average contract values, primary suppliers, and the geographic distribution of these purchases. Such an analysis could identify opportunities for cost savings through bulk purchasing, strategic sourcing, or identifying more competitive vendors over time. It would also highlight the consistency of demand for such essential supplies.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: TOILETRIES

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: 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: $40,946

Exercised Options: $40,946

Current Obligation: $40,496

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline