Justice Department awards $30,913 for sanitary paper products, fulfilling a 23-month need

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,913 ($30.9K)

Contractor: Outlook-Nebraska, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 23 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 500 CASES OF 2-PLY 96CT TISSUE & 100 CASES OF MULTIFOLD PAPER TOWELS 250/PLG

Place of Performance

Location: OMAHA, DOUGLAS County, NEBRASKA, 68127

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $30,913 to OUTLOOK-NEBRASKA, INC. for work described as: 500 CASES OF 2-PLY 96CT TISSUE & 100 CASES OF MULTIFOLD PAPER TOWELS 250/PLG Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable for the specified quantity of paper products. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially efficient price discovery process. 3. The fixed-price contract structure mitigates cost overrun risks. 4. This purchase supports essential facility operations within the Bureau of Prisons. 5. The procurement aligns with standard needs for correctional institutions. 6. The duration of the contract suggests a consistent supply chain requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $30,913 for approximately 500 cases of 2-ply tissue and 100 cases of multifold paper towels seems to be within a reasonable range for bulk sanitary supplies. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for janitorial supplies suggests that the per-unit cost for these items is competitive. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract further enhances value by locking in costs and preventing potential escalations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process for acquisitions below a certain threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP generally encourages broad participation. The competitive nature of this award suggests that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid, leading to a more efficient price discovery and potentially better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award under SAP ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by leveraging market competition to secure favorable pricing for essential supplies.

Public Impact

Inmates and staff within Bureau of Prisons facilities will benefit from access to essential sanitary supplies. The contract ensures the availability of hygiene products crucial for maintaining health and sanitation standards. The geographic impact is primarily within the facilities managed by the Federal Prison System. The contract supports the operational workforce responsible for facility management and inmate welfare.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions if the sole awardee faces production or delivery issues.
Ensuring consistent quality of paper products across all facilities is crucial for hygiene.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
The competitive bidding process likely secured a fair market price.
The contract duration of 23 months ensures a stable supply chain for essential items.

Sector Analysis

The market for sanitary paper products is a mature and competitive sector, characterized by large-scale manufacturing and distribution. Government agencies are significant buyers, often procuring these goods through competitive solicitations to meet the needs of federal facilities. This contract falls within the broader category of facilities maintenance and supplies, a consistent area of government spending. Comparable spending benchmarks for janitorial and sanitary supplies within federal agencies are typically driven by volume and product specifications.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. The awardee, OUTLOOK-NEBRASKA, INC., is likely a small business based on its name and typical market presence, but without explicit data, this cannot be confirmed. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation or impact.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Purchase Order, a common instrument for simplified acquisitions. Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program officials within the Bureau of Prisons responsible for facility supplies. Accountability is maintained through the terms and conditions of the Purchase Order, including delivery schedules and product specifications. Transparency is generally available through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules for Office Supplies
Department of Defense (DoD) Contracts for Facility Maintenance
Federal Prison System (FPS) Operational Supplies

Risk Flags

Potential for price fluctuations in raw materials over the contract duration.
Ensuring consistent product quality and availability from the awardee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $30,913 to OUTLOOK-NEBRASKA, INC.. 500 CASES OF 2-PLY 96CT TISSUE & 100 CASES OF MULTIFOLD PAPER TOWELS 250/PLG

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OUTLOOK-NEBRASKA, 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 $30,913.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for sanitary paper products by the Federal Prison System?

Analyzing historical spending for sanitary paper products by the Federal Prison System (FPS) requires accessing detailed procurement data over several fiscal years. Typically, agencies like the FPS procure these essential supplies through various contract vehicles, including GSA Schedules, open market solicitations, and blanket purchase agreements. Spending patterns are influenced by the number of facilities operated, inmate population fluctuations, and changes in product requirements or pricing. For instance, a review of past awards might reveal an average annual expenditure in the range of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars for such items, depending on the scale of operations. Fluctuations could be observed due to bulk purchasing efficiencies, changes in contract vehicles, or shifts in federal appropriations. Understanding these patterns helps in budgeting, forecasting future needs, and identifying potential cost-saving opportunities through strategic sourcing and longer-term agreements.

How does the unit price of the awarded paper products compare to commercial market rates?

To compare the unit price of the awarded paper products (500 cases of 2-ply tissue and 100 cases of multifold paper towels) to commercial market rates, one would need to break down the total award of $30,913 by the quantity of each item. For example, if the total quantity is 600 cases, the average cost per case is approximately $51.52. This average would then be compared to prices for similar bulk purchases from major commercial suppliers or distributors. Factors such as the specific ply count, sheet count per roll/pack, and brand name influence commercial pricing. Government contracts often achieve competitive pricing due to bulk purchasing power and streamlined acquisition processes, but direct comparison requires careful matching of product specifications and purchase volumes. Without specific product details (e.g., brand, exact sheet count), a precise comparison is difficult, but the government's negotiated price is generally expected to be competitive.

What are the potential risks associated with a 23-month contract duration for sanitary paper products?

A 23-month duration for a sanitary paper products contract presents several potential risks. Firstly, market prices for raw materials like pulp can fluctuate significantly over this period, potentially leading to the government paying above market rates if prices decrease, or the contractor facing reduced margins if prices increase substantially (though mitigated by a firm fixed-price structure). Secondly, there's a risk of product obsolescence or the introduction of superior, more cost-effective alternatives during the contract term, which the government would be locked into. Thirdly, the contractor's financial stability or operational capacity could diminish over 23 months, leading to delivery delays or quality issues. Finally, changes in federal regulations or agency needs could arise, making the contracted products less suitable or necessary, yet the contract remains binding.

What is the track record of OUTLOOK-NEBRASKA, INC. in fulfilling federal contracts for similar supplies?

Assessing the track record of OUTLOOK-NEBRASKA, INC. for fulfilling federal contracts requires accessing historical contract performance data, often available through government databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. This would involve reviewing past awards to the company, their value, the agencies they served, and any reported performance issues or successes. For contracts involving sanitary paper products, key indicators would include on-time delivery rates, adherence to product specifications, and any instances of contract modifications or disputes. A positive track record would demonstrate reliability and competence in managing supply chains for essential goods. Conversely, a history of performance issues could indicate potential risks for this current award, warranting closer monitoring by the contracting agency.

How does the total contract value of $30,913 align with typical spending for facility maintenance supplies in federal prisons?

The total contract value of $30,913 for sanitary paper products is relatively modest when considered within the broader context of federal prison facility maintenance supplies. Federal prisons operate 24/7 and house significant populations, necessitating substantial and continuous procurement of a wide array of supplies, including cleaning agents, toiletries, and paper goods. While $30,913 represents a specific procurement for a defined period (23 months), it is likely a fraction of the total annual budget allocated for facility maintenance and operations at the specific institution(s) served. Larger contracts for these categories can easily run into hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars annually, depending on the size and number of facilities managed by the Bureau of Prisons. Therefore, this award appears to be a targeted purchase for specific items rather than a comprehensive facilities supply contract.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Converted Paper Product Manufacturing › Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: TOILETRIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4125 S 72ND ST, OMAHA, NE, 68127

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,913

Exercised Options: $30,913

Current Obligation: $30,913

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline