DOJ's $21M Prison Food Contract Awarded to Churchfield Trading Co. for Q2 FY26

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,086 ($21.1K)

Contractor: Churchfield Trading CO

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-01-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 89 days

Daily Burn Rate: $237/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 31

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 A1 CHURCHFIELD CANNED(12-16-25) QTR 2

Place of Performance

Location: FLORENCE, FREMONT County, COLORADO, 81226

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $21,085.5 to CHURCHFIELD TRADING CO for work described as: FY26 A1 CHURCHFIELD CANNED(12-16-25) QTR 2 Key points: 1. Contract value of $21.09M for canned food supplies. 2. Awarded to Churchfield Trading Co. under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 3. Potential risk in limited competition due to SAP. 4. Sector: Food Manufacturing for correctional facilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $21.09M for a 3-month period appears high for canned goods. Benchmarking against similar food service contracts for correctional institutions is needed to assess pricing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves fewer than 35 offers. This method may limit price discovery and competition compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for this procurement. The limited competition may result in a higher price than if a broader competition was conducted.

Public Impact

Ensures food supply for federal inmates. Supports a specific food manufacturing company. Potential for price increases due to limited competition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Potential for overpricing
Short contract duration may limit long-term planning

Positive Signals

Ensures essential supplies for correctional facilities
Utilizes established procurement procedures

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the food manufacturing sector, specifically supplying canned goods to federal correctional facilities. Spending benchmarks for food services in similar institutions would provide context for the $21.09M award.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis is needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Justice, through the Federal Prison System/Bureau of Prisons, is responsible for this procurement. Oversight should focus on ensuring fair pricing and quality of goods delivered.

Related Government Programs

All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing
Department of Justice Contracting
Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Lack of small business participation data
High value for a short-term, specific food category

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $21,085.5 to CHURCHFIELD TRADING CO. FY26 A1 CHURCHFIELD CANNED(12-16-25) QTR 2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHURCHFIELD TRADING CO.

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 $21,085.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the typical cost per inmate for canned food supplies in federal prisons?

Determining the typical cost per inmate for canned food requires detailed analysis of historical contract data and inmate population sizes. Without specific per-unit pricing or quantity breakdowns in this award, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, general food service costs for correctional facilities can range significantly, and this contract's value suggests a substantial volume or specialized items.

What are the risks associated with using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for this contract?

Using SAP for a $21M contract carries risks of limited price competition and potentially higher costs compared to full and open competition. SAP is designed for smaller purchases, and its use here might exclude more competitive vendors, leading to less favorable pricing and potentially reduced innovation. It also raises questions about whether a larger competition was feasible.

How effective is this contract in ensuring a consistent and cost-effective supply of canned goods for the Federal Prison System?

The effectiveness hinges on the specific canned goods procured and their necessity for inmate diets. While the contract ensures supply, the limited competition under SAP raises concerns about cost-effectiveness. A review of the awarded items and comparison with market prices would be necessary to gauge true effectiveness beyond just fulfilling a requirement.

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

Offers Received: 31

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3640 SAGUNTO ST STE 305, SANTA YNEZ, CA, 93460

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,086

Exercised Options: $21,086

Current Obligation: $21,086

Actual Outlays: $21,100

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline