DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $693K for frozen food, raising questions on value and competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $69,375 ($69.4K)
Contractor: North Star Imports, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-01
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 90 days
Daily Burn Rate: $771/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FY26 A1 NORTH STAR FY26 QTR3 PO MAR 26
Place of Performance
Location: SAINT PAUL, DAKOTA County, MINNESOTA, 55122
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $69,375 to NORTH STAR IMPORTS, LLC for work described as: FY26 A1 NORTH STAR FY26 QTR3 PO MAR 26 Key points: 1. The $693,750 award for frozen specialty foods appears high for a 90-day contract. 2. Competition under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) may limit price discovery. 3. Lack of small business participation is noted. 4. The contract's short duration suggests potential for frequent re-competition and price fluctuations.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The per-unit cost is not provided, making direct comparison difficult. However, the total award of $693,750 for a 90-day period for frozen specialty foods seems high, especially considering the contract is for a specific quarter.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP, which is typically used for acquisitions below the simplified acquisition threshold. While this allows for faster procurement, it may not always yield the most competitive pricing compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The pricing appears potentially inflated due to limited competition, meaning taxpayers may be overpaying for these food supplies.
Public Impact
Prisoners may experience disruptions in food supply if contracts are not managed efficiently. The quality and variety of food provided could be impacted by the procurement method. Taxpayer funds are being used for essential services, and efficiency is paramount.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High per-unit cost implied by total award for short duration
- Limited competition method (SAP)
- No small business participation
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a known entity (North Star Imports, LLC)
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty
Sector Analysis
The Federal Prison System's food service spending is a significant operational cost. Benchmarks for specialty food procurement in correctional facilities are not readily available, but efficiency and cost-effectiveness are key.
Small Business Impact
The contract does not indicate any set-aside for small businesses, and there is no mention of small business participation in the award details. This represents a missed opportunity to support small business contractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is needed to ensure the Bureau of Prisons is obtaining fair and reasonable prices for food supplies, especially given the limited competition method used.
Related Government Programs
- Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for overpayment due to limited competition
- Lack of detailed cost justification
- No small business participation
- High implied cost for a short-term contract
Tags
frozen-specialty-food-manufacturing, department-of-justice, mn, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $69,375 to NORTH STAR IMPORTS, LLC. FY26 A1 NORTH STAR FY26 QTR3 PO MAR 26
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NORTH STAR IMPORTS, 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 $69,375.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the specific breakdown of food items and quantities included in this $693,750 award to justify the cost for a 90-day period?
A detailed breakdown of food items, quantities, and unit prices is crucial for a thorough cost analysis. Without this information, it's difficult to ascertain if the $693,750 award for a 90-day period is reasonable. The current data lacks the granularity needed to validate the expenditure against market rates for specialty frozen foods.
Could a more competitive bidding process, such as full and open competition, have yielded significant cost savings for the taxpayer?
Utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) often streamlines the process but may not attract the widest range of bidders, potentially leading to higher prices. Full and open competition typically fosters greater price discovery and can result in more competitive bids, potentially saving taxpayer money. The specific savings would depend on market dynamics and the number of additional bidders.
What is the historical performance and pricing of North Star Imports, LLC for similar contracts with the Bureau of Prisons or other federal agencies?
Reviewing North Star Imports, LLC's past performance and pricing history is essential for assessing the current award's reasonableness. If previous contracts for similar goods were awarded at significantly lower prices or if performance issues were noted, it would raise concerns about the current contract's value and the vendor's suitability.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing › Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: North Star Imports LLC
Address: 3459 WASHINGTON DR STE 201, SAINT PAUL, MN, 55122
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $69,375
Exercised Options: $69,375
Current Obligation: $69,375
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
More Contracts from North Star Imports, LLC
- FY26 A1 - Quarterly BID Request QTR 3 Solicitation: 15B41926Q00000002 — $114.1K (Department of Justice)
- FY26 3RD QTR A1 North Star Meat Award — $99.3K (Department of Justice)
- FY26 A1 Northstar Meat(3-19-26) QTR 3 — $87.2K (Department of Justice)
- A-1 3RD QTR FY26 North Star — $85.4K (Department of Justice)
- FCI Schuylkill FY26 3RD QTR North Star Imports Meat Items — $77.4K (Department of Justice)
Other Department of Justice Contracts
- Contractor Owned and Operated Existing Correctional Facility for Approximately 3,500 LOW Security Male Inmates — $794.5M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)
- Detention Services - SAN Diego — $776.9M (THE GEO Group, Inc.)
- CO: Telly Renfroe Award of NEW Task Order Base Year Initial Funding — $616.4M (AT&T Enterprises, LLC)
- TAS 151060 - Services for the Management and Operation of a Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated, Correctional Facility for 2,567 Beds in Adams County, Mississippi — $574.3M (Corecivic, Inc.)
- Provide Services for the Management and Operation of a Correctional Facility in Accordance With Rfp-Pcc-0014 — $568.9M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)