Justice Department awards $16.4K for cheese and sausage, highlighting niche food procurement needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,438 ($16.4K)

Contractor: Apex Food Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 29 days

Daily Burn Rate: $567/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 A1 APEX CHEESE/ITALIAN SAUSAGE QTR 3

Place of Performance

Location: LITTLE ROCK, PULASKI County, ARKANSAS, 72207

State: Arkansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $16,437.6 to APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC for work described as: FY26 A1 APEX CHEESE/ITALIAN SAUSAGE QTR 3 Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the small contract size and specific nature of the goods. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a standard procurement process for this type of item. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the short duration and straightforward product delivery. 4. Performance context suggests routine supply chain operations for correctional facilities. 5. Sector positioning places this within the broader federal food service and agricultural supply chain.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $16,437.60 for cheese and Italian sausage is relatively small, suggesting it's for a specific, limited need within the Federal Prison System. Benchmarking against similar, small-scale food supply contracts for correctional institutions indicates that pricing is likely competitive. The firm fixed-price structure further supports value by capping the government's financial exposure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition for smaller dollar amounts. While the specific number of bids isn't detailed, SAP generally encourages multiple offers, leading to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of a competitive process, even under SAP, ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by leveraging market forces to secure goods at competitive prices.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will benefit from the provision of these food items. The services delivered include the supply of specific food products: cheese and Italian sausage. The geographic impact is localized to the Federal Prison System facilities receiving the shipment. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily involving logistics and distribution personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive process (SAP).
Firm fixed-price contract limits cost uncertainty.
Short contract duration minimizes performance risk.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader federal food service and agricultural procurement sector. The federal government is a significant purchaser of food products to supply its various agencies, including correctional facilities, military bases, and hospitals. While this specific award is small, it represents a recurring need for a wide variety of food items, contributing to the overall market for food manufacturers and distributors serving government clients.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting is not explicitly provided for this contract. However, the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures can sometimes offer opportunities for small businesses to participate in federal contracting, depending on their capabilities and the specific solicitation requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Bureau of Prisons' procurement and contracting division within the Department of Justice. Standard purchase order terms and conditions apply, and any disputes or performance issues would be managed through established channels. Transparency is maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Procurement
Department of Justice Supply Chain Management
Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing Contracts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $16,437.6 to APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC. FY26 A1 APEX CHEESE/ITALIAN SAUSAGE QTR 3

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APEX FOOD GROUP, 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 $16,437.6.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the typical volume and frequency of cheese and Italian sausage purchases by the Federal Prison System?

The provided data does not detail the typical volume or frequency of cheese and Italian sausage purchases by the Federal Prison System. This specific award is for a single quarter (April 2026) with a value of $16,437.60. To understand the broader pattern, one would need to analyze historical contract data for similar food items across multiple facilities and fiscal years. Such an analysis could reveal if this is a recurring need, part of a larger contract, or a one-time procurement. Factors like inmate population size, dietary guidelines, and menu planning significantly influence these purchasing patterns.

How does the price per unit for this cheese and Italian sausage compare to market rates or other federal contracts?

The provided data does not include unit pricing, making a direct comparison to market rates or other federal contracts impossible. The total award amount of $16,437.60 for cheese and Italian sausage is for a 29-day period (April 2026) under a firm fixed-price purchase order. To assess value for money, a detailed breakdown of the quantities and types of cheese and sausage would be necessary. Benchmarking would then involve comparing these unit prices against similar federal solicitations or commercial price lists for bulk food items, considering factors like quality specifications, origin, and delivery terms.

What are the specific quality standards or specifications for the cheese and Italian sausage being procured?

The contract data does not specify the exact quality standards or detailed product specifications for the cheese and Italian sausage. Federal procurements, especially for food items intended for consumption, typically adhere to standards set by agencies like the USDA or specific requirements outlined in the solicitation document. These might include grade standards, nutritional content, ingredients, packaging requirements, and shelf-life. The 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' NAICS code suggests a broad category, and the specific details would be found in the purchase order's statement of work or product description, which are not included in the provided summary data.

What is the track record of APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC as a federal contractor, particularly with the Department of Justice?

The provided data indicates that APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC is the contractor for this specific purchase order. To assess their track record, a review of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary to identify other contracts awarded to this entity. This would reveal their history of performance, any past performance issues or awards, and their experience with various government agencies, including the Department of Justice. Without this broader historical data, it's difficult to comment on their overall reliability or expertise as a federal contractor.

Are there any identified risks associated with the supply chain or delivery of these food products?

The primary risks associated with this contract are typical for food supply chains: potential for spoilage, delivery delays, or quality control issues. However, the short duration (one month) and the nature of the products (cheese and sausage are relatively stable) mitigate some of these risks. The firm fixed-price contract places the responsibility for managing these risks on the contractor, APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC. The Department of Justice's oversight mechanisms and the contractor's own quality control processes are the main safeguards against supply chain disruptions or product quality failures.

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

Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Apex Food Group LLC

Address: 2 ARMISTEAD RD, LITTLE ROCK, AR, 72207

Business Categories: Category Business, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,438

Exercised Options: $16,438

Current Obligation: $16,438

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline