Justice Department awards $2.46M for pastries and trays, highlighting a niche food manufacturing need

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,630 ($24.6K)

Contractor: Rainmaker, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-05-01

End Date: 2026-05-01

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 18

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY 2026 Q3 - DRY GOODS - PASTRIES/DESSERTS & HINGED TRAYS

Place of Performance

Location: OAKLAND PARK, BROWARD County, FLORIDA, 33334

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $24,630 to RAINMAKER, INC. for work described as: FY 2026 Q3 - DRY GOODS - PASTRIES/DESSERTS & HINGED TRAYS Key points: 1. The contract value of $2.46 million for specialized food items suggests a focused requirement within the Federal Prison System. 2. Competition dynamics for this specific procurement are not detailed, but the award type indicates a structured process. 3. The fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty for the government. 4. The duration of the contract is a single day, suggesting a one-time or very short-term need. 5. The award to RAINMAKER, INC. represents a specific capability within the broader food manufacturing sector. 6. The geographic focus on Florida is noted, potentially indicating a regional demand or supplier location.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its highly specific nature and short duration. The $2.46 million award for a single day's requirement for pastries, desserts, and hinged trays appears substantial for such a limited timeframe. Without more context on the quantity and type of goods, a direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor assumed the risk for cost overruns, which is a positive indicator for the government.

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 less than the full and open competition. While the specific number of bids received is not provided, SAP is designed for procurements below certain thresholds where full and open competition may not be cost-effective. This approach aims to balance efficiency with reasonable competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests that the government sought to streamline the acquisition process for this relatively smaller dollar amount, potentially leading to faster delivery of goods. However, a more robust competition might have yielded better pricing for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System are the primary beneficiaries, receiving food supplies that include pastries and desserts. The contract delivers specific food manufacturing products, contributing to the operational needs of correctional facilities. The geographic impact is concentrated in Florida, where the goods are likely to be delivered or sourced. The contract supports the food manufacturing workforce, particularly those involved in producing specialized baked goods and packaging.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The extremely short contract duration (one day) raises questions about the planning and potential for emergency procurement needs.
The lack of detail on the specific quantities and types of pastries and desserts makes it difficult to assess the true value for money.
The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures, while efficient, may limit the potential for achieving the best possible pricing through broader competition.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract structure shifts cost risk to the contractor, providing budget certainty for the government.
The award to a specific company, RAINMAKER, INC., indicates a successful match between a government need and a supplier's capability.
The procurement process, even under SAP, implies adherence to federal acquisition regulations for this specific requirement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on desserts and related packaging. The market for specialized food items for institutional use, such as correctional facilities, is a niche segment. While overall food manufacturing is a large industry, this particular sub-sector is driven by specific dietary needs, volume requirements, and logistical considerations unique to government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more granular data on the specific items procured.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. The award to RAINMAKER, INC. does not specify if it is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem, particularly if RAINMAKER, INC. is a large business that could have subcontracted portions to smaller entities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons contracting officers and potentially their Inspector General's office. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including delivery schedules and product specifications. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported, though detailed operational oversight specifics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Institutional Food Supply Contracts
Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing Procurements
Department of Justice Operational Support

Risk Flags

Short Contract Duration
Specific Niche Product Requirement
Limited Competition Indication (SAP)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $24,630 to RAINMAKER, INC.. FY 2026 Q3 - DRY GOODS - PASTRIES/DESSERTS & HINGED TRAYS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RAINMAKER, 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 $24,630.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-01. End: 2026-05-01.

What is the typical track record of RAINMAKER, INC. in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for food items?

Information regarding RAINMAKER, INC.'s specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance history, one would need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS-NG to review past awards, performance evaluations (if available), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Without this external data, it's impossible to gauge their reliability and past success in meeting government requirements. A thorough review would involve looking at the types of goods or services previously provided, the agencies served, and the contract values to understand their experience level and specialization.

How does the $2.46 million cost for a single-day delivery of pastries and desserts compare to market rates for similar institutional food supplies?

Directly comparing the $2.46 million cost for a single day's delivery of pastries and desserts to standard market rates is challenging without precise details on the quantity, variety, and quality of the items. Institutional procurement often involves bulk purchasing, which can lead to different pricing structures than retail. However, the amount seems exceptionally high for a one-day supply of such items, even in bulk. To benchmark this, one would need to identify comparable contracts for correctional facilities or large institutions, analyze the per-unit costs for specific items (e.g., per dozen pastries, per tray), and factor in delivery logistics. The firm fixed-price nature suggests RAINMAKER, INC. priced this based on their costs and desired profit margin for that specific day's requirement.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, given its specific nature and short duration?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential issues with product quality and consistency, given the specialized nature of pastries and desserts. The extremely short duration (one day) also presents a risk of logistical challenges in ensuring timely delivery and freshness. If the quantity ordered is miscalculated, there could be shortages or excessive waste. Furthermore, if RAINMAKER, INC. has limited experience with such large-scale, short-notice food provision, there's a risk of operational failures. The reliance on a single supplier for a critical, albeit niche, need also introduces supply chain risk. Finally, the lack of detailed public information makes it difficult to assess if the price accurately reflects the value, posing a financial risk if over-inflated.

What does the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' NAICS code indicate about the scope of this contract?

The NAICS code 311999, 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing,' indicates that this contract falls into a broad category for establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing food products not elsewhere classified. This suggests that the specific items procured – pastries, desserts, and hinged trays – do not fit neatly into more specialized food manufacturing categories like bakeries (3118), dairy product manufacturing (3115), or fruit and vegetable preserving (3114). It implies a diverse range of potential products within this code, and for this contract, it specifically points to specialized baked goods and associated packaging, likely tailored to institutional needs rather than standard consumer products.

How does the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation affect the potential for cost savings for taxpayers?

The designation 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) means the contract was competed among a limited number of sources, typically those that can meet the government's needs efficiently and cost-effectively for procurements below certain dollar thresholds (often $250,000, though this can vary). While SAP aims for efficiency, it generally offers less opportunity for broad price discovery compared to full and open competition. Therefore, while the government likely received competitive bids within the SAP framework, the potential for achieving the absolute lowest price might be constrained compared to a scenario where numerous vendors could participate. Taxpayers may benefit from faster acquisition but potentially at a slightly higher cost than if a wider competition had been pursued.

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: 15B50226Q00000038

Offers Received: 18

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1100 E OAKLAND PARK BLVD, OAKLAND PARK, FL, 33334

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,630

Exercised Options: $24,630

Current Obligation: $24,630

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline