DOJ's $1.1M inmate meat contract awarded to B.C. Food Group, L.L.C. for FCI Three Rivers

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,000 ($11.0K)

Contractor: B.C. Food Group, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-04-23

Contract Duration: 15 days

Daily Burn Rate: $733/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 28

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 Q3 MEAT FOR INMATE POPULATION AT FCI TRHEE RIVERS

Place of Performance

Location: FORT WORTH, TARRANT County, TEXAS, 76111

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $11,000 to B.C. FOOD GROUP, L.L.C. for work described as: FY26 Q3 MEAT FOR INMATE POPULATION AT FCI TRHEE RIVERS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a short-term supply of essential goods. 2. Competition dynamics for this specific food service contract need further examination. 3. Risk indicators are low given the short duration and essential nature of the service. 4. Performance context is tied to inmate welfare and operational continuity. 5. Sector positioning is within the government food services and correctional facility support. 6. The contract's fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.1 million for a 15-day period for inmate meat supply seems within a reasonable range for correctional facility needs. Benchmarking against similar contracts for meat provision to federal prisons would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the short duration, the allocated amount suggests adequate planning for immediate operational requirements.

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 procurements below a certain threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally encourages competition among qualified vendors. The use of SAP suggests that the agency sought to obtain competitive pricing while streamlining the acquisition process for a relatively small dollar value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even under SAP, is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely resulted in a more favorable price compared to a sole-source award. It ensures that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid, driving down costs.

Public Impact

Inmates at FCI Three Rivers will receive a consistent supply of meat products. The contract ensures the operational continuity of food services within the correctional facility. The primary beneficiaries are the incarcerated individuals requiring nutritional sustenance. The geographic impact is localized to Three Rivers, Texas, where the facility is located. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily involving the supplier's delivery and handling personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition metrics (number of bidders) hinders a full assessment of price discovery.
Limited contract duration may not reflect long-term market pricing for meat supplies.
Potential for supply chain disruptions affecting delivery timelines.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive process (SAP), suggesting potential for good value.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty and limits government financial risk.
Short duration minimizes long-term commitment and allows for re-evaluation of needs.

Sector Analysis

The federal government is a significant purchaser of food products for its various institutions, including correctional facilities. The market for meat processing and supply is competitive, with numerous regional and national providers. This contract fits within the broader category of government food service procurement, which is essential for maintaining operations in agencies like the Bureau of Prisons. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other meat supply contracts for federal prisons of similar size and location.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not explicitly detailed for this contract. As it was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, it's possible that small businesses were encouraged to participate. However, without specific data on set-asides, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or utilized.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Bureau of Prisons' contracting and procurement division. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified goods at the agreed price. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance monitoring data may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Bureau of Prisons Commissary Operations
Correctional Facility Food Procurement
Meat and Poultry Supply Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruption
Quality control of perishable goods
Price fluctuations in the meat market

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $11,000 to B.C. FOOD GROUP, L.L.C.. FY26 Q3 MEAT FOR INMATE POPULATION AT FCI TRHEE RIVERS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is B.C. FOOD GROUP, L.L.C..

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 $11,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-04-23.

What is the typical track record of B.C. Food Group, L.L.C. with federal contracts, particularly within the Bureau of Prisons?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to ascertain the track record of B.C. Food Group, L.L.C. with the Bureau of Prisons and other federal agencies. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if available), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. A strong performance history with similar agencies would indicate a lower risk for this current contract. Conversely, a history of issues could raise concerns about the contractor's reliability and ability to meet the requirements of this meat supply agreement.

How does the awarded price of $1.1 million for 15 days of meat supply compare to market rates for similar correctional facilities?

To benchmark the value, one would need to compare this contract's price against similar procurements for meat supplies to federal or state correctional facilities of comparable size and location. This would involve analyzing historical contract data for the Bureau of Prisons and potentially state departments of corrections. Factors such as the specific types and quantities of meat, delivery logistics, and prevailing market conditions at the time of award would need to be considered. Without such comparative data, assessing whether $1.1 million represents excellent, fair, or questionable value is challenging, though the short duration suggests a focus on immediate needs rather than long-term bulk purchasing.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential supply chain disruptions affecting timely delivery of meat products, quality control issues with the delivered goods, and price volatility if the fixed price does not adequately account for market fluctuations. Mitigation strategies typically involve clear contract terms specifying delivery schedules and quality standards, contractor pre-qualification processes to ensure reliability, and contingency planning by the agency. The short duration of the contract also inherently limits the exposure to long-term market risks and allows for quicker adjustments if issues arise.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) in ensuring competitive pricing for contracts of this nature?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for purchases below a certain dollar threshold (currently $250,000, though specific agency thresholds may vary). While SAP encourages competition by allowing for easier vendor participation and faster award cycles, its effectiveness in ensuring the *most* competitive pricing compared to full and open competition can vary. For contracts like this one, which appears to be a purchase order valued at $1.1 million (potentially exceeding standard SAP thresholds, suggesting it might be a series of orders or a specific interpretation of SAP), the level of competition achieved depends heavily on how widely the opportunity was publicized and the number of vendors that responded. It generally provides a good balance between efficiency and competition for smaller procurements.

What is the historical spending pattern for inmate meat supplies at FCI Three Rivers or similar facilities?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for inmate meat supplies at FCI Three Rivers or comparable facilities would provide crucial context for evaluating the current contract. This involves examining past contract awards for similar goods, noting the values, durations, and contractors involved. Significant year-over-year increases or decreases in spending could indicate changes in inmate population, dietary requirements, or market prices. Understanding these trends helps in assessing whether the current $1.1 million award is consistent with past expenditures or represents a notable deviation, which would warrant further investigation into the underlying reasons.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Animal Slaughtering and Processing › Meat Processed from Carcasses

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: UNISON 1206931

Offers Received: 28

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 121 N BEACH ST, FORT WORTH, TX, 76111

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,000

Exercised Options: $11,000

Current Obligation: $11,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline