Justice Department awards $350K food order to Clark's Trading Co. for prison system needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,043 ($35.0K)

Contractor: Clark's Trading CO.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-15

Contract Duration: 13 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.7K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 24

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CLARK'S TRADING FY26 QTR 3 FOOD ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: MUKWONAGO, WAUKESHA County, WISCONSIN, 53149

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $35,043 to CLARK'S TRADING CO. for work described as: CLARK'S TRADING FY26 QTR 3 FOOD ORDER Key points: 1. The contract value represents a small portion of the Federal Prison System's overall food procurement budget. 2. Competition for this specific purchase order was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on efficiency for lower-value procurements. 3. The short duration of the contract (13 days) indicates a need for immediate or short-term supply fulfillment. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost uncertainty for the government. 5. The award to a single vendor, Clark's Trading Co., warrants a review of market availability and potential for broader competition on future, larger requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $350,430 for a 13-day food supply appears reasonable for the specified period and quantity (24 units). Benchmarking against similar, short-term food service contracts within federal correctional facilities would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, without detailed line-item breakdowns or comparison data for identical food items, a definitive value assessment is challenging. The firm-fixed-price contract type offers cost predictability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders, often through GSA Advantage! or other online portals. While SAP aims for efficiency, it may not always yield the same level of price competition as full and open solicitations. The specific number of bidders is not detailed, but the SAP framework suggests a streamlined process rather than extensive outreach.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can sometimes lead to slightly higher prices compared to robust, full-and-open competition, though the administrative savings of SAP can offset some of this. The focus here is likely on rapid fulfillment over achieving the absolute lowest price.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will receive essential food supplies. The contract supports the operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons by ensuring food availability. The geographic impact is primarily within the facilities served by this specific order, likely concentrated in Wisconsin given the 'WI' state code. This contract supports the food manufacturing and distribution workforce involved in supplying Clark's Trading Co.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not guarantee the best possible pricing for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed product specifications makes it difficult to assess the quality and value of the food items procured.
The short contract duration could indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic long-term planning for food supplies.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Use of SAP suggests an effort to streamline procurement for essential, lower-value items.
The award ensures timely fulfillment of critical food needs for correctional facilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader food manufacturing and wholesale trade sector. The federal government is a significant purchaser of food products for its various agencies, including correctional facilities, military bases, and federal hospitals. Spending in this category is driven by the need for consistent, large-scale supply chains to meet the daily needs of a large population. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing aggregate federal food procurement data across different agencies and contract types.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it detail any subcontracting plans. Clark's Trading Co. is listed as the vendor, but their size status (small or large business) is not specified. Without this information, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem cannot be determined.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the Bureau of Prisons. Accountability is maintained through the terms of the purchase order, including delivery schedules and specifications. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases where such awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Procurement
Bureau of Prisons Supply Chain Management
Department of Justice Commodity Purchases
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contracts (if applicable)
Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) Awards

Risk Flags

Potential for limited price competition due to SAP.
Lack of detailed product specifications.
Short contract duration may indicate reactive procurement.
Vendor's performance history not detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $35,043 to CLARK'S TRADING CO.. CLARK'S TRADING FY26 QTR 3 FOOD ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CLARK'S 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 $35,043.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-15.

What is the track record of Clark's Trading Co. in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for food supplies?

A review of federal procurement databases would be necessary to fully assess Clark's Trading Co.'s track record. This would involve examining past awards, contract performance evaluations (if available), and any history of disputes or issues. Without specific data on their past performance, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and experience in supplying federal agencies, especially within the demanding environment of correctional facilities. Understanding their history with similar food orders, delivery timeliness, and adherence to specifications would be crucial for evaluating future potential.

How does the per-unit cost of the food items in this order compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?

The provided data lacks the specific line-item details of the food items procured, making a direct per-unit cost comparison impossible. To perform this analysis, one would need the exact list of food items, quantities, and their respective prices within the $350,430 award. This information could then be benchmarked against commercial wholesale food prices, industry reports, or historical federal contract data for similar items. The 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' NAICS code is very broad, further complicating direct comparisons without granular product data.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific food supply contract?

Key risks include potential supply chain disruptions affecting Clark's Trading Co., leading to delays in food delivery to the correctional facilities. Quality control is another risk; ensuring the food meets nutritional and safety standards is paramount. Given the limited competition under SAP, there's a risk that the government did not secure the most cost-effective pricing. Furthermore, the short duration might indicate a reliance on emergency procurement, which can sometimes carry higher costs or less favorable terms than planned, long-term contracts.

How effective is the Bureau of Prisons in managing its food procurement portfolio, considering this award?

Assessing the overall effectiveness requires a broader analysis of the Bureau of Prisons' food procurement strategy, including contract types, competition levels, spending trends, and performance metrics across all its facilities. This single purchase order, awarded under SAP for a short duration, suggests a need for timely replenishment. Whether this reflects efficient operational management or a reactive approach depends on the context of the requirement. A comprehensive review would examine if strategic sourcing, diverse vendor pools, and long-term agreements are being utilized effectively to ensure consistent quality and value.

What are the historical spending patterns for food supplies within the Federal Prison System, and how does this award fit?

Historical spending data for the Federal Prison System's food supplies would reveal annual or quarterly expenditures, major vendors, and common contract types. This $350,430 award represents a small, short-term procurement likely intended to meet immediate needs. It fits into a pattern of ongoing operational requirements for food. Analyzing historical data would show if spending has increased or decreased, if reliance on specific vendors or contract types has changed, and whether there are opportunities for consolidation or better negotiation based on aggregate demand.

What is the potential impact of using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) on the overall cost-effectiveness of federal food procurement?

SAP is designed for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000, though this award is slightly above, suggesting potential use of exceptions or prior thresholds) to increase efficiency and reduce administrative burden. While SAP can expedite delivery and lower processing costs, it typically involves less formal competition than larger, full-and-open solicitations. This can sometimes result in higher unit prices if market research and vendor outreach are limited. For essential goods like food, the trade-off is between rapid acquisition and potentially achieving the absolute lowest price. The effectiveness depends on the specific market and how well SAP is implemented.

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: 15B40826Q00000007

Offers Received: 24

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: W312S5745 DABLE RD, MUKWONAGO, WI, 53149

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,043

Exercised Options: $35,043

Current Obligation: $35,043

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline