DOJ awards $20K for fresh produce to Bellissimo Distribution LLC for April 2026 delivery

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,000 ($20.0K)

Contractor: Bellissimo Distribution LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 29 days

Daily Burn Rate: $690/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 A1 GRECO AND SONS PRODUCE(3-19-26) APR 26 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

Place of Performance

Location: AURORA, ADAMS County, COLORADO, 80011

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $20,000 to BELLISSIMO DISTRIBUTION LLC for work described as: FY26 A1 GRECO AND SONS PRODUCE(3-19-26) APR 26 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 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via purchase order, indicating a streamlined procurement process. 2. Limited competition due to the nature of the award. 3. Focus on fresh produce suggests a need for perishable goods within the Federal Prison System. 4. Short contract duration of 29 days implies a specific, immediate need. 5. Geographic focus on Colorado for delivery. 6. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $20,000 for a one-month supply of fresh produce is relatively small in the context of federal procurement. Benchmarking this specific award is challenging without detailed itemization and market prices for each produce type. However, the price appears reasonable for a month's supply to a federal facility, assuming a standard variety and quantity of goods. The lack of competition, however, limits the ability to definitively assess optimal value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a purchase order under "NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP," which typically signifies a sole-source or limited competition procurement, likely due to urgency or specific vendor capabilities. The data does not indicate the number of bidders, but the 'NOT COMPETED' status strongly suggests minimal to no formal competition was sought. This approach may be justified for small-value, immediate needs, but it bypasses the potential for price discovery through a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a lack of competition can potentially lead to higher prices than might be achieved through a competitive process. However, for a small contract value like this, the administrative cost savings of a non-competitive award might offset minor price differences.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System in Colorado will benefit from the provision of fresh fruits and vegetables. The contract ensures the availability of essential food items for dietary needs. The geographic impact is localized to the Federal Prison System facilities within Colorado. The contract supports the food service workforce responsible for preparing meals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding.
Limited transparency on the specific produce items and quantities procured.
Short contract duration may not reflect long-term supply chain stability.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget certainty for the agency.
Purchase order mechanism is efficient for small-value, immediate needs.
Focus on fresh produce addresses a critical component of inmate welfare.

Sector Analysis

The fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesale sector is a critical part of the food supply chain, ensuring that perishable goods reach institutions and consumers. Federal agencies, particularly those with large captive populations like correctional facilities, are significant buyers in this market. While this specific contract is small, it represents a typical transaction within the broader federal food procurement landscape, which often involves multiple vendors and various contract types to meet diverse needs across different locations and timeframes.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business and there is no indication of small business subcontracting requirements. The 'sb' field is false, suggesting no specific set-aside for small businesses was applied to this procurement. Therefore, this contract is unlikely to have a direct positive impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order, oversight is typically managed through the agency's internal procurement and finance departments. The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) within the Department of Justice is responsible for ensuring contract compliance. Transparency is limited by the non-competitive nature of the award; however, the contract details are generally accessible through federal procurement databases. Inspector General oversight would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Department of Justice Commissary Operations
Fresh Produce Procurement Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Limited data on specific quantities and unit costs hinders detailed value analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $20,000 to BELLISSIMO DISTRIBUTION LLC. FY26 A1 GRECO AND SONS PRODUCE(3-19-26) APR 26 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

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BELLISSIMO DISTRIBUTION 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 $20,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the typical price range for similar fresh produce contracts awarded by the Federal Prison System?

Determining a precise price range for similar contracts is challenging without more granular data on the specific types and quantities of produce procured, as well as the delivery locations and contract durations. Federal Prison System food contracts can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on the size of the facility, inmate population, and the scope of the contract (e.g., full-service food provider vs. specific item procurement). For a one-month supply of fresh produce valued at $20,000, this appears to be a relatively small award, possibly for a single facility or a specific subset of produce. Benchmarking requires comparing unit prices for common items like apples, bananas, and salad mixes against historical federal contract data or commercial wholesale prices, adjusted for volume and delivery terms.

What are the specific types and quantities of produce included in this $20,000 award?

The provided data lists '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' as the items to be supplied. However, the exact quantities for each item are not specified in the abbreviated data. The total award amount of $20,000 is for the aggregate purchase of these items over the 29-day period. Without a detailed breakdown of quantities per item, it is impossible to perform a precise unit cost analysis or compare it directly to market rates for specific produce.

Why was this contract not competed under Standard Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

The data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP.' This suggests that the procurement likely fell under a simplified acquisition procedure threshold or was awarded under specific exceptions that allow for non-competitive or limited competition. Reasons for not competing under SAP could include the low dollar value of the award (potentially below the threshold for full competition), urgency of need, or a determination that only one source could reasonably fulfill the requirement. For procurements below certain dollar thresholds, agencies have more flexibility to use simplified procedures, including sole-source awards, to increase efficiency. However, the specific justification for not competing this particular award is not detailed in the provided data.

What is the track record of Bellissimo Distribution LLC in supplying to the federal government?

Information regarding Bellissimo Distribution LLC's specific track record with the federal government is not detailed in the provided data snippet. To assess their performance history, one would typically need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS-NG to review past awards, contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any history of disputes or terminations. Without this historical data, it's difficult to evaluate their reliability, past performance quality, and experience in meeting federal requirements, particularly for perishable goods like fresh produce.

How does the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type impact risk for both the government and the contractor?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type, as used here, establishes a ceiling price that the contractor must not exceed. This shifts the risk of cost overruns from the government to the contractor. For the government, FFP provides the highest level of cost certainty, making budgeting more predictable. The contractor assumes the risk of increased costs due to factors like fluctuating market prices for produce, labor, or transportation. Conversely, if the contractor can procure and deliver the goods for less than the fixed price, they retain the profit. This contract type is generally preferred for procurements where the scope of work is well-defined and market prices are relatively stable, which is often the case for commodity items like fresh produce.

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

Parent Company: Sysco Corp

Address: 1550 HECHT DR, BARTLETT, IL, 60103

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,000

Exercised Options: $20,000

Current Obligation: $20,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline