DOJ awards $65K for subsistence, with 27 bids received for a 30-day contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $65,450 ($65.5K)

Contractor: North Star Imports, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-05-07

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 27

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FCI BENNETTSVILLE 3RD QUARTER FY2026 SUBSISTENCE

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT PAUL, DAKOTA County, MINNESOTA, 55122

State: Minnesota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $65,450 to NORTH STAR IMPORTS, LLC for work described as: FCI BENNETTSVILLE 3RD QUARTER FY2026 SUBSISTENCE Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable for a short-term subsistence supply. 2. High competition suggests potential for competitive pricing. 3. The short duration may limit long-term performance risks. 4. This purchase order falls under the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' NAICS code. 5. The award was made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $65,450 for a 30-day subsistence supply is modest. Given the short performance period and the nature of the goods (subsistence), it is difficult to benchmark against extensive contract data without more specific product details. However, the price appears to be within a reasonable range for such a requirement, especially considering the competitive bidding process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition for smaller dollar value procurements. The receipt of 27 bids indicates a robust level of interest and competition for this requirement. This high number of bidders suggests that the government likely received competitive offers, contributing to price discovery and potentially favorable pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A high number of bids for this contract means taxpayers benefit from a competitive marketplace, driving down costs and ensuring the government obtains goods at a fair market price.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will benefit from the provision of subsistence supplies. The services delivered include the supply of essential food items. The geographic impact is localized to the facility served by FCI Bennettsville, Minnesota. This contract supports the operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions impacting timely delivery of subsistence items.
Quality control of subsistence items to ensure they meet federal standards.

Positive Signals

High number of bidders indicates strong market interest and potential for competitive pricing.
The use of a Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader food manufacturing and distribution sector, specifically related to institutional or correctional facility supplies. The market for subsistence supplies to federal correctional facilities is a specialized niche. While the dollar value is small, it represents a recurring need for the Bureau of Prisons. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other contracts for food services or supplies to similar government institutions.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses. However, with 27 bidders, it is possible that small businesses participated in the competition. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation and subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Purchase Order, which is a standard procurement instrument. Oversight would be managed by the Bureau of Prisons contracting officers and program managers responsible for FCI Bennettsville. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Bureau of Prisons Commissary Operations
Correctional Facility Food Supply Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruption due to short contract duration.
Need for detailed product specifications to ensure fair price benchmarking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $65,450 to NORTH STAR IMPORTS, LLC. FCI BENNETTSVILLE 3RD QUARTER FY2026 SUBSISTENCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NORTH STAR IMPORTS, 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 $65,450.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-05-07.

What is the historical spending pattern for subsistence supplies at FCI Bennettsville?

Analyzing historical spending for subsistence supplies at FCI Bennettsville would require accessing detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. This would involve identifying all contracts and purchase orders related to food and subsistence items awarded to this specific facility. The goal would be to identify trends in spending, average contract values, and the types of vendors utilized. Understanding historical patterns can help assess whether the current award of $65,450 for a 30-day period is consistent with past expenditures or represents a significant deviation. It can also reveal if there are consistent needs for specific types of subsistence items and whether pricing has remained stable or fluctuated over time.

How does the price per unit for these subsistence items compare to market rates?

Determining the price per unit for these subsistence items and comparing it to market rates would necessitate a detailed breakdown of the goods included in the $65,450 award. Without a specific list of food items and their quantities, a direct unit price comparison is not feasible. However, if the contract details included line items for specific products (e.g., pounds of beef, gallons of milk, loaves of bread), these could be benchmarked against wholesale or retail prices in the Minnesota region. Given that this is a federal contract, the expectation is that prices should be competitive with commercial rates, potentially even lower due to bulk purchasing power. A significant deviation from market rates, especially if higher, would warrant further investigation into the value proposition.

What is the track record of NORTH STAR IMPORTS, LLC in fulfilling federal contracts?

To assess the track record of NORTH STAR IMPORTS, LLC, a review of their past performance on federal contracts is essential. This would involve searching federal procurement databases (like FPDS) for previous awards to this contractor. Key metrics to examine include the number of contracts awarded, their values, the agencies they served, and the types of goods or services provided. Performance ratings, if available, would be crucial. Any history of contract terminations, disputes, or negative past performance reviews would raise concerns. Conversely, a history of successful, on-time, and within-budget contract completions would indicate reliability and capability. For this specific contract, understanding their experience with subsistence supplies or similar items would be particularly relevant.

What are the potential risks associated with a short-duration subsistence contract?

Short-duration contracts, like this 30-day purchase order, carry specific risks. One primary risk is the potential for supply chain disruptions. If the vendor faces unforeseen issues (e.g., production problems, transportation delays, ingredient shortages), it could lead to immediate shortages of essential subsistence items for the correctional facility. Another risk relates to quality control; a compressed timeline might put pressure on vendors, potentially impacting the consistency and quality of the food supplied. Furthermore, short-duration contracts may not incentivize vendors to invest in long-term process improvements or robust quality assurance measures, as the focus is on immediate fulfillment. For the government, the administrative burden of repeatedly soliciting and awarding short-term contracts can also be a consideration.

How does the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' NAICS code impact the scope of this contract?

The classification under NAICS code 311999, 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing,' indicates that the contract is for food products that do not fit into more specific manufacturing categories. This broad classification suggests that the subsistence supplies could encompass a wide variety of processed or prepared food items, rather than raw agricultural products or highly specialized manufactured foods. For the Bureau of Prisons, this flexibility allows them to procure a diverse range of necessary food items to meet inmate dietary requirements. However, it also means that the specific nature of the goods procured might vary significantly from one award to another under this code, making direct price comparisons more challenging without detailed product specifications for each contract.

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: 15B31726Q00000007

Offers Received: 27

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: North Star Imports LLC

Address: 3459 WASHINGTON DR STE 201, SAINT PAUL, MN, 55122

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $65,450

Exercised Options: $65,450

Current Obligation: $65,450

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline