DOJ's $152K food contract with Matts Trading Inc. awarded for Q1 FY2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $152,706 ($152.7K)

Contractor: Matts Trading Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 91 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 35

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FCC YAZOO CITY FY 2026 1ST QUARTER SUBSISTENCE OCTOBER 1, 2025 - DECEMBER 31, 2025

Place of Performance

Location: BOCA RATON, PALM BEACH County, FLORIDA, 33431

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $152,705.85 to MATTS TRADING INC for work described as: FCC YAZOO CITY FY 2026 1ST QUARTER SUBSISTENCE OCTOBER 1, 2025 - DECEMBER 31, 2025 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition. 2. Fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 3. Short duration of 91 days may limit opportunities for cost savings. 4. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, indicating a focus on smaller procurements. 5. Geographic location of vendor in Florida may impact delivery logistics. 6. No small business set-aside, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller enterprises.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $152,705.85 for a 91-day period appears reasonable for subsistence supplies. However, without specific details on the quantity and type of subsistence items, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the lack of competitive bidding limits the ability to benchmark pricing against market alternatives.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a less formal bidding process. While the data indicates 35 offers were received, the specific competition dynamics are not detailed. The limited nature of SAP competition can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests an effort to streamline procurement for smaller value contracts. However, with 35 offers, taxpayers may not have received the absolute lowest price achievable through a more robust competitive process.

Public Impact

Federal Prison System inmates will receive subsistence supplies. The Bureau of Prisons will ensure the availability of essential food items. The contract supports the operational needs of federal correctional facilities. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to vendor delivery and logistics.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not yield the best value.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes assessing value for money difficult.
Short contract duration could lead to frequent re-procurement costs.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Receipt of 35 offers indicates some level of market interest.
Contract supports essential inmate needs within the Federal Prison System.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' category, a segment of the broader food supply industry. Federal agencies, particularly those with correctional facilities like the Bureau of Prisons, are significant consumers of subsistence goods. Spending in this area is generally stable, driven by the ongoing need to feed federal inmates and personnel. Benchmarking against other federal food supply contracts would require detailed itemization of the subsistence goods procured.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any subcontracting requirements. This means that while small businesses could have bid, there was no specific mechanism to prioritize or encourage their participation. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral, as there was no explicit mandate for their involvement or benefit.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons contracting officers and potentially its Office of the Inspector General. Standard procurement regulations and contract administration processes are expected to be followed. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance monitoring data is not readily available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Commissary Operations
Department of Justice Food Procurement
Bureau of Prisons Subsistence Contracts
Federal Food Manufacturing and Supply

Risk Flags

Limited competition potential
Lack of detailed itemization for value assessment
Short contract duration may increase administrative overhead

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $152,705.85 to MATTS TRADING INC. FCC YAZOO CITY FY 2026 1ST QUARTER SUBSISTENCE OCTOBER 1, 2025 - DECEMBER 31, 2025

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MATTS TRADING 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 $152,705.85.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2025-12-31.

What specific types of subsistence items are included in this contract?

The provided data classifies the contract under 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' (NAICS 311999) and identifies the awardee as MATTS TRADING INC. However, it does not specify the exact subsistence items covered. These could range from basic staples like rice, beans, and flour to processed goods, dairy, or meat products. Understanding the specific items is crucial for a detailed value assessment and comparison with market prices or other federal contracts. Without this granularity, the $152,705.85 award is a broad figure for a 91-day supply.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar federal subsistence procurements?

A direct price comparison is difficult without knowing the specific subsistence items and quantities. However, the contract value of approximately $152.7K for a 91-day period suggests a daily expenditure of roughly $1,678. This figure needs to be broken down by item category (e.g., per pound of meat, per gallon of milk) to be meaningfully benchmarked against other federal contracts or commercial pricing. The fact that it was competed under SAP with 35 offers might imply competitive pricing, but the absence of a full and open competition benchmark limits definitive conclusions on value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks include potential supply chain disruptions, as the vendor is based in Florida and the specific facility receiving the goods is not identified. Given the short duration (91 days), there's also a risk of increased administrative burden and cost associated with frequent re-procurement. Furthermore, the limited competition under SAP, despite 35 offers, could mean that the government did not secure the most cost-effective pricing available in the market. Quality control of the subsistence items is another inherent risk in any food supply contract.

What is the track record of MATTS TRADING INC. in fulfilling federal contracts?

Information regarding MATTS TRADING INC.'s specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. As a recipient of a Purchase Order under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, this may represent one of potentially many smaller awards. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance history, including any awards, terminations, or disputes with federal agencies. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and past success in meeting government requirements.

How does this contract align with the Bureau of Prisons' overall spending patterns for subsistence?

This $152.7K contract for one quarter represents a small fraction of the Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) total annual subsistence budget. The BOP, responsible for a large inmate population, procures substantial quantities of food supplies regularly. This specific award appears to be a routine procurement for a defined period and location. Analyzing its alignment would involve comparing its unit costs (once itemized) and overall value against historical BOP spending trends for similar goods and services, and assessing if it reflects efficient resource allocation within the broader correctional food service program.

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: 1200017

Offers Received: 35

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2202 SW BRADFORD PL, PALM CITY, FL, 34990

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $152,706

Exercised Options: $152,706

Current Obligation: $152,706

Actual Outlays: $153,554

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline