DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $12,000 for fresh produce to Colo-Pac Produce, Inc. for April 2026
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,000 ($12.0K)
Contractor: Colo-Pac Produce, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-01
End Date: 2026-04-30
Contract Duration: 29 days
Daily Burn Rate: $414/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CAULIFLOWER CELERY CUCUMBERS TOMATOES SALAD MIX CABBAGE CARROTS SWEET POTATOES JALAPENOS BAKING POTATOES HONEYDEW RED ONION ORANGES KIWI PEARS CILANTRO APPLES YELLOW ONIONS BANANAS GREEN PEPPERS FY26 A1 COLO-PAC PRODUCE(3-19-26) APR 26
Place of Performance
Location: DENVER, DENVER County, COLORADO, 80216
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $12,000 to COLO-PAC PRODUCE, INC. for work described as: CAULIFLOWER CELERY CUCUMBERS TOMATOES SALAD MIX CABBAGE CARROTS SWEET POTATOES JALAPENOS BAKING POTATOES HONEYDEW RED ONION ORANGES KIWI PEARS CILANTRO APPLES YELLOW ONIONS BANANAS GREEN PEPPERS FY26 A1 COLO-PAC PRODUCE(3-19-26) APR 26 Key points: 1. The contract is for a single month's supply of fresh fruits and vegetables. 2. The vendor, Colo-Pac Produce, Inc., is a merchant wholesaler. 3. The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 4. The total award amount is $12,000 for the 29-day period. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award amount of $12,000 for a month's supply of produce seems reasonable for a federal facility. However, without specific quantity details or comparison data for similar facilities, a precise valuation is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under SAP, suggesting a limited competition approach. This method may not yield the best price discovery compared to a fully open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is limited to the $12,000 award for essential food supplies for a federal facility.
Public Impact
Ensures a supply of fresh produce for inmates in a federal correctional facility. Supports a specific vendor for a short-term, essential commodity. The limited competition may impact overall cost-effectiveness for taxpayers.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition for essential goods.
- Short contract duration may lead to frequent re-solicitations and administrative overhead.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics or quality assurance information.
Positive Signals
- Provides necessary fresh produce to support inmate welfare.
- Utilizes a known vendor for a specific regional need.
Sector Analysis
The procurement falls under the broad category of food services and supplies, a common expenditure for correctional facilities. Benchmarks for produce procurement can vary significantly based on location, facility size, and specific dietary requirements.
Small Business Impact
The award went to Colo-Pac Produce, Inc., a merchant wholesaler. There is no indication in the provided data whether this is a small business or if small business set-asides were considered.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is a Purchase Order, which is a standard method for acquiring goods. Oversight would typically involve monitoring delivery, quality, and adherence to the contract terms by the Bureau of Prisons.
Related Government Programs
- Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of transparency in competition method.
- Absence of detailed cost breakdown and unit pricing.
- Short contract duration may not be cost-effective long-term.
- Potential for limited vendor pool and price negotiation.
Tags
fresh-fruit-and-vegetable-merchant-whole, department-of-justice, co, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $12,000 to COLO-PAC PRODUCE, INC.. CAULIFLOWER CELERY CUCUMBERS TOMATOES SALAD MIX CABBAGE CARROTS SWEET POTATOES JALAPENOS BAKING POTATOES HONEYDEW RED ONION ORANGES KIWI PEARS CILANTRO APPLES YELLOW ONIONS BANANAS GREEN PEPPERS FY26 A1 COLO-PAC PRODUCE(3-19-26) APR 26
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COLO-PAC PRODUCE, 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 $12,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-30.
What is the average per-unit cost of the produce items included in this contract, and how does it compare to market rates?
The provided data does not include a breakdown of individual produce items or their quantities, making it impossible to calculate per-unit costs or compare them to market rates. A detailed price list and quantity breakdown would be necessary for such an analysis.
What were the specific reasons for not competing this contract under SAP, and were any other vendors considered?
The data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' without providing specific justification. This suggests a limited competition approach, potentially due to urgency, existing relationships, or specific vendor capabilities. Further details on the solicitation process would clarify if other vendors were approached or why full and open competition was bypassed.
How will the quality and freshness of the produce be monitored and ensured throughout the contract period?
The provided data does not detail the quality assurance or inspection procedures for the produce. Standard practice would involve the Bureau of Prisons inspecting deliveries for freshness, quality, and adherence to specifications. Specific clauses regarding quality control and remedies for non-compliance would typically be included in the full contract.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Grocery and Related Product Merchant Wholesalers › Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers
Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4345 ONEIDA ST, DENVER, CO, 80216
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $12,000
Exercised Options: $12,000
Current Obligation: $12,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2026-04-30
Potential End Date: 2026-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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