DOJ's $15.4K food order to Matts Trading Inc. for federal prisons shows short-term procurement needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,395 ($15.4K)

Contractor: Matts Trading Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-08

Contract Duration: 6 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.6K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 24

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MATTS TRADING FY26 QTR 3 FOOD ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: BOCA RATON, PALM BEACH County, FLORIDA, 33431

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $15,394.72 to MATTS TRADING INC for work described as: MATTS TRADING FY26 QTR 3 FOOD ORDER Key points: 1. This purchase order represents a small, short-term need for food supplies, indicating a tactical rather than strategic acquisition. 2. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on efficiency for lower-value procurements. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government on this specific order. 4. The short duration of the contract (6 days) points to an immediate requirement rather than a long-term supply agreement. 5. The vendor, Matts Trading Inc., is likely fulfilling a specific, immediate demand within the Federal Prison System. 6. The 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' NAICS code suggests a broad category, potentially encompassing specialized or varied food items.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Given the small dollar value and short duration, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging without more context on the specific food items procured. However, the use of SAP suggests an attempt to streamline procurement for lower-risk, lower-value acquisitions. The firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for this specific order. Benchmarking against similar short-term food supply contracts within the Federal Prison System would be necessary for a more robust value assessment.

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 than micro-purchases but is less formal than full and open competition for larger contracts. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP aims to foster competition among qualified vendors for procurements below certain thresholds. This method is designed to balance competition with efficiency for smaller dollar amounts.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP for this order likely resulted in a reasonable price for the government by leveraging market forces, while also ensuring timely delivery of essential supplies.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will benefit from the provision of necessary food supplies. The services delivered include the supply of miscellaneous food items, crucial for daily operations. The geographic impact is localized to the Federal Prison System facilities served by this order, likely within Florida. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting the logistics and distribution personnel involved in fulfilling the order.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed specifications for the food items procured makes it difficult to assess quality and suitability.
The short performance period could indicate a reactive procurement rather than proactive planning, potentially leading to higher unit costs.
Limited visibility into the competitive landscape beyond 'competed under SAP' hinders a full understanding of price discovery.
The broad NAICS code 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' lacks specificity regarding the exact nature of the food products.

Positive Signals

The use of a firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for this specific transaction.
Procurement under SAP aims to ensure fair and open competition for acquisitions within this value range.
The short contract duration suggests a responsive procurement process to meet immediate needs.
The vendor, Matts Trading Inc., is being utilized to fulfill a specific requirement within the Federal Prison System.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the food manufacturing and supply sector, a critical component of government operations, particularly for institutions like correctional facilities. The federal government is a significant purchaser of food products, with spending distributed across various agencies and needs, from military rations to institutional sustenance. Contracts of this nature, especially those competed under SAP, are common for fulfilling immediate or recurring supply needs that do not warrant large-scale, long-term contracts. Benchmarking would involve comparing this unit price against other similar short-term food supply contracts awarded by the Bureau of Prisons or other federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and does not explicitly mention subcontracting requirements. As a competed purchase order under SAP, it's possible small businesses participated in the bidding process. However, without further details on the number of bidders or specific subcontracting plans, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were primary awardees or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement regulations and the Federal Prison System's administrative controls. The use of a firm-fixed-price contract provides a degree of financial oversight by fixing the cost. Transparency is facilitated by the contract being competed, and its details are likely available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected in the procurement process.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Department of Justice Procurement
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules (if applicable)
Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for higher unit costs due to short-term nature.
Risk of supply chain disruption given tight delivery window.
Lack of specificity in 'Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' NAICS code.
Limited transparency on specific food items procured.
Short performance period may indicate reactive procurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $15,394.72 to MATTS TRADING INC. MATTS TRADING FY26 QTR 3 FOOD ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MATTS TRADING 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 $15,394.72.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-08.

What is the typical track record of Matts Trading Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for food supplies?

A review of federal procurement databases would be necessary to assess Matts Trading Inc.'s track record. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if available), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. For this specific contract, the short duration and small value suggest it might be a routine order. However, understanding the company's broader performance history, especially with similar agencies or contract types, is crucial for evaluating reliability and past performance. Without specific data on Matts Trading Inc.'s history, it's difficult to provide a definitive assessment of their track record beyond this single purchase order.

How does the unit cost of the food items in this order compare to similar procurements by the Federal Prison System?

To compare unit costs, we would need to know the specific food items included in this $15,394.72 order and their quantities. The NAICS code 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' is very broad. Once specific items and quantities are identified, they could be benchmarked against historical contracts awarded by the Federal Prison System or other correctional facilities for comparable goods. Factors like delivery location, urgency, and specific product quality standards would influence price comparisons. Without itemized details, a precise unit cost comparison is not feasible, but the overall value of $15,394.72 for a 6-day supply suggests a focus on immediate needs rather than bulk purchasing.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of short-term, miscellaneous food supply contract?

Primary risks include potential for higher unit costs due to the short-term nature and lack of bulk purchasing power, which can sometimes lead to premium pricing. There's also a risk of supply chain disruptions if the vendor faces unforeseen issues, given the tight delivery window. Furthermore, the broad classification of 'Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' could mask quality control issues or a lack of specialized nutritional content if not carefully monitored. Ensuring compliance with food safety standards and timely delivery within the 6-day window are critical operational risks that require diligent oversight.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) process in ensuring value for money for contracts of this size?

SAP is designed to balance the need for competition with the efficiency required for smaller procurements (typically under $250,000). For contracts like this $15.4K food order, SAP generally allows for adequate price discovery through competition among vendors, while reducing administrative burden compared to full-scale competitive bidding. Its effectiveness in ensuring value for money depends on the specific market dynamics, the clarity of the solicitation, and the diligence of the contracting officers in evaluating offers. While SAP may not always yield the absolute lowest price achievable through extensive negotiation, it is generally considered an effective mechanism for obtaining fair and reasonable prices for routine, lower-value acquisitions.

What is the historical spending pattern for food supplies within the Federal Prison System, and how does this contract fit?

Historical spending on food supplies within the Federal Prison System is substantial, reflecting the daily nutritional needs of a large inmate population. Agencies like the Bureau of Prisons typically issue numerous contracts and purchase orders throughout the year to ensure a consistent supply chain. This particular $15.4K purchase order appears to be a small, tactical acquisition to meet an immediate, short-term need, possibly filling a gap or fulfilling a specific requirement not covered by larger, long-term agreements. It represents a fraction of the overall annual food budget and likely complements larger, more strategic sourcing efforts.

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: 2202 SW BRADFORD PL, PALM CITY, FL, 34990

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,395

Exercised Options: $15,395

Current Obligation: $15,395

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline