Justice Department awards $35.5K for food services, highlighting a need for efficient prison sustenance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,456 ($35.5K)

Contractor: Quality Produce LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-05-07

End Date: 2025-06-30

Contract Duration: 54 days

Daily Burn Rate: $657/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO PROVIDE FOOD SERVICES FOR PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE.

Place of Performance

Location: OPELIKA, LEE County, ALABAMA, 36801

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $35,455.6 to QUALITY PRODUCE LLC for work described as: TO PROVIDE FOOD SERVICES FOR PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE. Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a localized or short-term need for food services. 2. The award to Quality Produce LLC indicates a focus on specific agricultural products for food preparation. 3. The short performance period (54 days) points to an immediate or interim requirement. 4. The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 5. The procurement method 'Competed under SAP' suggests a streamlined process for smaller value contracts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $35,555.60 for a 54-day period appears reasonable for providing food services to a federal facility. Without specific details on the quantity of meals or the exact scope of services, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the award amount is modest, suggesting efficient resource allocation for this specific need. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps manage costs effectively.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which is typically used for procurements valued below a certain threshold (e.g., $250,000). This indicates that the opportunity was likely advertised broadly to eligible vendors, allowing for a competitive bidding process. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the use of SAP generally encourages competition among small and large businesses.

Taxpayer Impact: Utilizing competitive procedures, even under SAP, helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

Inmates at the Federal Prison System facility in Alabama will benefit from the provision of food services. The contract ensures the delivery of essential sustenance, contributing to the daily operational needs of the correctional institution. The geographic impact is localized to Alabama, where the facility is located. The contract supports the workforce involved in food preparation and service within the prison.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited vendor pool if SAP competition was not widely advertised.
Dependence on a single vendor for a critical service like food provision.
Risk of price increases in future contract renewals if competition is not maintained.

Positive Signals

Award to a vendor specializing in crop farming suggests potential for fresh, quality ingredients.
Fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Use of competitive procedures under SAP aims for best value.

Sector Analysis

The food services sector within the federal government is a consistent area of spending, supporting various institutions like correctional facilities, military bases, and government agencies. This contract, though small, fits within the broader category of institutional support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for correctional facility food services would provide further context on value, but the $35.5K award for a short period suggests a focused, operational requirement rather than a large-scale catering contract.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not specify if this was a small business set-aside. However, the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) often favors small businesses due to streamlined requirements. If Quality Produce LLC is a small business, this award contributes to federal small business contracting goals. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Federal Prison System's procurement and facility management divisions. Accountability is ensured through the terms of the Purchase Order and performance monitoring. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's public availability through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Bureau of Prisons Operations
Department of Justice Procurement

Risk Flags

Short performance period may indicate an urgent or interim need.
Limited information on vendor's past performance in food services.
Potential for price increases if competition is not sustained in future procurements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $35,455.6 to QUALITY PRODUCE LLC. TO PROVIDE FOOD SERVICES FOR PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is QUALITY PRODUCE 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 $35,455.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-07. End: 2025-06-30.

What is the specific nature of the food services being provided beyond general sustenance?

The data indicates the contract is for 'TO PROVIDE FOOD SERVICES'. While the specific menu or dietary requirements are not detailed, the award to 'QUALITY PRODUCE LLC' and the PSC code 'ND' (All Other Miscellaneous Crop Farming) suggest a focus on agricultural products and potentially fresh produce as a component of the food services. This could imply a need for ingredients for meals prepared by the facility's staff or a specific type of food provision emphasizing agricultural sourcing. Further details on the statement of work would clarify the exact services.

How does the cost per day for these food services compare to industry benchmarks for correctional facilities?

The contract value is $35,555.60 over a 54-day period, equating to approximately $658.44 per day. To benchmark this against correctional facility food service costs, one would typically look at the cost per inmate per day. Without knowing the number of inmates served, a direct comparison is difficult. However, industry averages for correctional facility food services can range significantly, often between $3 to $7 per inmate per day, depending on location, facility type, and service provider. If this contract serves a small population or is for a specific subset of needs, the daily rate might be reasonable. A higher daily rate could indicate premium services or a smaller scale operation.

What is the track record of Quality Produce LLC in providing federal food services?

Information regarding the specific track record of Quality Produce LLC in providing federal food services is not detailed in the provided data. The award is a Purchase Order, suggesting it's a transactional agreement. To assess their track record, one would need to review past federal contract awards to this vendor, their performance ratings on previous contracts (if available through systems like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Their specialization in 'All Other Miscellaneous Crop Farming' might indicate a focus on supplying raw or processed agricultural goods rather than full-service catering.

What are the potential risks associated with a short-term contract for essential services like food?

Short-term contracts for essential services like food provision carry several risks. Firstly, there's a risk of service disruption if a follow-on contract is not awarded in time, potentially impacting inmate welfare. Secondly, vendors may be less inclined to invest in specialized equipment or staff training for a short duration, potentially leading to less optimal service delivery. Thirdly, the government might incur higher per-unit costs due to the lack of long-term commitment and economies of scale. Finally, frequent short-term contract awards can indicate a lack of strategic planning or an inability to secure longer-term agreements, potentially stemming from issues with vendor performance or market conditions.

How does the 'Competed under SAP' procurement method influence the overall value for taxpayers?

Competing contracts under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) generally benefits taxpayers by fostering competition among vendors for procurements below a certain dollar threshold (typically $250,000). This process, while streamlined, usually involves publicizing the opportunity, allowing multiple vendors to submit bids. Increased competition typically drives down prices and encourages vendors to offer their best value propositions. For taxpayers, this means that the government is more likely to secure goods and services at a fair and reasonable price, avoiding potential overspending that could occur with sole-source or less competitive procurements. The efficiency of SAP also reduces administrative costs associated with the procurement process itself.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting › Other Crop Farming › All Other Miscellaneous Crop Farming

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

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: 3616 3RD AVE, OPELIKA, AL, 36801

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,456

Exercised Options: $35,456

Current Obligation: $35,456

Actual Outlays: $35,637

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline