Justice Department awards $86.8M for frozen food, with Rainmaker Inc. as sole awardee

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $86,761 ($86.8K)

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: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY 2026 Q3 - FROZEN ITEMS

Place of Performance

Location: OAKLAND PARK, BROWARD County, FLORIDA, 33334

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $86,760.57 to RAINMAKER, INC. for work described as: FY 2026 Q3 - FROZEN ITEMS Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller procurements. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order, providing cost certainty for the government. 3. Awarded for a single day duration, indicating a potential need for immediate or specific supply. 4. The food manufacturing category suggests a focus on essential supplies for federal facilities. 5. The contract was competed, but details on the number of bidders are not provided. 6. The value of the contract is relatively modest in the context of federal spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $86.8 million for a single day's supply of frozen food appears high for a short duration. Without more context on the quantity and type of food, it is difficult to benchmark against similar contracts. The firm-fixed-price structure offers predictability, but the overall value proposition requires further scrutiny regarding the unit costs and the necessity of such a large award for a one-day period.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a less formal bidding process than full and open competition. While competed, the limited information available does not specify the number of bidders or the extent of outreach. This level of competition might not guarantee the most competitive pricing, as fewer vendors may have been aware of or able to respond to the solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competition under SAP can sometimes lead to higher prices compared to broad solicitations, as the pool of potential bidders is often smaller and less diverse.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal correctional facilities or other institutions requiring frozen food supplies. The service delivered is the provision of miscellaneous frozen food manufacturing products. The geographic impact is specified as Florida (FL), indicating a regional focus for this procurement. Workforce implications are tied to the food manufacturing sector, potentially supporting jobs in that industry within Florida.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High contract value for a single-day duration raises questions about efficiency and potential overstocking.
Limited competition under SAP may not have yielded the best possible price for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed product specifications makes it hard to assess the true value of the food items procured.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the agency.
The contract was competed, indicating an effort to solicit offers.
Award to a single vendor simplifies administration for this specific purchase.

Sector Analysis

The food manufacturing sector is a critical component of the broader food supply chain, supporting various government agencies with essential provisions. Federal spending in this area often supports large-scale operations, including military bases, correctional facilities, and public health institutions. While this specific contract is for miscellaneous food manufacturing, it falls within a category that sees consistent government demand. Benchmarking this contract's value against other federal food procurements would require detailed analysis of product types and quantities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary award went to a large business. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or opportunities for small businesses within this specific award, suggesting that the focus was on fulfilling the agency's direct needs through the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, oversight might be less intensive than for larger, more complex contracts. However, the Department of Justice's Federal Prison System is expected to have internal controls and procurement regulations in place to ensure compliance and accountability. Transparency is limited by the SAP process, and further details on performance monitoring and payment verification would be needed for a full assessment.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Procurement
Department of Justice Miscellaneous Contracts
Frozen Food Supply Contracts
Simplified Acquisition Procedures Procurements

Risk Flags

High contract value for a single-day duration.
Broad 'miscellaneous' classification lacks specificity.
Limited competition under SAP may impact price discovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $86,760.57 to RAINMAKER, INC.. FY 2026 Q3 - FROZEN ITEMS

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 $86,760.57.

What is the period of performance?

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

What specific types of frozen food were procured under this contract, and what is the rationale for the $86.8 million award for a single day?

The provided data classifies the procurement under 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' (na: 311999), which is a broad category. Specific food items are not detailed. The rationale for the $86.8 million award for a single day's duration is unclear and appears exceptionally high. It could potentially represent a large, consolidated order for multiple facilities, a pre-payment for future services, or an error in the duration reporting. Without further clarification from the agency, this value seems disproportionate to a one-day requirement, raising questions about the necessity and efficiency of the procurement.

How does the firm-fixed-price (FFP) structure benefit the government in this specific contract?

A Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract structure benefits the government by providing cost certainty. Under an FFP agreement, the contractor, RAINMAKER, INC., agrees to a set price for the goods or services, regardless of their actual costs incurred. This means the Department of Justice's Federal Prison System knows the exact amount they will pay, which aids in budget planning and prevents unexpected cost overruns. This is particularly advantageous for procurements where the scope of work is well-defined, such as the supply of specific food items, allowing the agency to manage its financial obligations predictably.

What are the potential risks associated with procuring miscellaneous food items under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

Procuring miscellaneous food items under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) carries several potential risks. Firstly, SAP often involves less stringent competition requirements, which could lead to higher prices than those achievable through full and open competition. Secondly, the simplified documentation and oversight typical of SAP may reduce transparency and make it harder to track performance or ensure the quality and suitability of the 'miscellaneous' food items. There's also a risk that the broad classification might obscure specific needs or lead to the procurement of items that are not optimal for the intended use, potentially impacting nutritional standards or operational efficiency within the federal facilities.

Can the contractor, RAINMAKER, INC., be considered a reliable supplier based on available data?

Based solely on the provided data snippet, it is not possible to definitively assess RAINMAKER, INC.'s reliability as a contractor. The data confirms they are the awardee for this specific purchase order. However, it does not offer any information regarding their past performance, track record with federal contracts, financial stability, or capacity to fulfill large orders. A comprehensive assessment of reliability would require examining their contract history, client feedback, and any performance reviews or disputes associated with previous government engagements.

What does the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' classification imply about the nature of the goods purchased?

The classification 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' (na: 311999) suggests that the goods purchased are not easily categorized into more specific food manufacturing sub-sectors. This could encompass a wide variety of products, such as specialty food items, prepared meals, ingredients not falling into standard categories, or a mix of different food types. The 'miscellaneous' nature implies a degree of flexibility for the contractor in supplying items that fit this broad description, but it also presents a challenge for the agency in precisely defining and verifying the exact nature and quality of the food being procured without further specification.

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: 15B50226Q00000040

Offers Received: 15

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: $86,761

Exercised Options: $86,761

Current Obligation: $86,761

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline