DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $43K for bread, Portland Foods Inc. wins contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $43,047 ($43.0K)
Contractor: Portland Foods Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-01-01
End Date: 2026-03-31
Contract Duration: 89 days
Daily Burn Rate: $484/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FCI BENNETTSVILLE 2ND QUARTER FY2026 BREAD REQUIREMENT
Place of Performance
Location: BRISTOL, HARTFORD County, CONNECTICUT, 06010
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $43,046.6 to PORTLAND FOODS INC for work described as: FCI BENNETTSVILLE 2ND QUARTER FY2026 BREAD REQUIREMENT Key points: 1. Spending on bread for FCI Bennettsville is $43,046.60 for Q2 FY2026. 2. Portland Foods Inc. secured the contract. 3. The contract was competed under SAP, indicating a streamlined process. 4. The sector is food services, a recurring need for correctional facilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The firm fixed price contract for bread appears reasonable given the quantity and duration. Benchmarking against similar food service contracts for correctional facilities would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: $0.95 (estimated per loaf)
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a limited competition among pre-approved vendors. This method is typically used for smaller dollar amounts and may not achieve the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for essential food supplies for federal inmates. The cost-effectiveness is dependent on the efficiency of the SAP procurement process.
Public Impact
Ensures a consistent supply of bread for inmates at FCI Bennettsville. Supports a commercial bakery business through government procurement. The contract contributes to the operational needs of the Federal Prison System.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for higher prices due to limited competition under SAP.
- Reliance on a single vendor for a staple food item.
Positive Signals
- Meets a critical operational need for inmate sustenance.
- Utilizes a streamlined procurement process for efficiency.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the food services sector, specifically for correctional facilities. Spending benchmarks for food supplies in federal prisons vary widely based on inmate population and location, but this amount appears to be for a specific, short-term requirement.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if Portland Foods Inc. is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made via a purchase order, which is a standard method for acquiring goods. Oversight would involve ensuring the quality and timely delivery of the bread as per the contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial Bakeries
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition due to SAP.
- Potential for price increases if market conditions change.
- Dependence on a single supplier for a critical item.
- Lack of detail on nutritional specifications.
Tags
commercial-bakeries, department-of-justice, ct, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $43,046.6 to PORTLAND FOODS INC. FCI BENNETTSVILLE 2ND QUARTER FY2026 BREAD REQUIREMENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PORTLAND FOODS 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 $43,046.6.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-01-01. End: 2026-03-31.
What is the typical cost range for bread procurement in federal correctional facilities of similar size?
The typical cost range for bread procurement in federal correctional facilities can vary significantly based on factors like inmate population, geographic location, and contract duration. While specific benchmarks are not readily available, contracts often aim for per-unit costs that are competitive with commercial wholesale prices. This $0.95 estimated per-loaf cost seems within a reasonable range for a firm-fixed-price contract, but a detailed comparison with other similar facilities would be beneficial.
What are the risks associated with using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for essential food items?
Using SAP for essential food items carries risks such as potentially higher prices due to limited competition compared to full and open solicitations. It may also limit the pool of potential suppliers, potentially excluding innovative or more cost-effective vendors. While SAP offers efficiency for smaller procurements, agencies must ensure adequate price reasonableness checks are in place to safeguard taxpayer funds and maintain supply chain resilience.
How effectively does this contract meet the nutritional and operational needs of FCI Bennettsville?
This contract effectively meets the immediate nutritional and operational needs by securing a supply of bread for the specified period. The firm-fixed-price structure ensures cost certainty for this staple food item. However, the long-term effectiveness would depend on the quality of the bread provided and its integration into the overall inmate meal plan, which is not detailed in the provided data.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing › Commercial Bakeries
Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 15B31726Q00000004
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 52 CEDAR RDG, BRISTOL, CT, 06010
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $43,047
Exercised Options: $43,047
Current Obligation: $43,047
Actual Outlays: $18,900
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-01-01
Current End Date: 2026-03-31
Potential End Date: 2026-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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