Justice Department awards $19.5M food brokerage contract to New England Food Brokerage Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,500 ($19.5K)

Contractor: NEW England Food Brokerage Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-15

End Date: 2026-04-15

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 24

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: A-1 3RD QTR FY26 NEW ENGLAND

Place of Performance

Location: STOUGHTON, NORFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02072

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $19,500 to NEW ENGLAND FOOD BROKERAGE INC for work described as: A-1 3RD QTR FY26 NEW ENGLAND Key points: 1. Contract awarded for food brokerage services to support the Federal Prison System. 2. The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The fixed-price nature of the contract shifts cost risk to the contractor. 4. The duration of the contract is one year, indicating a need for ongoing but not long-term services. 5. The award is a Purchase Order, a common instrument for straightforward acquisitions. 6. The contractor, New England Food Brokerage Inc., is based in Massachusetts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $19.5 million for a one-year food brokerage service appears substantial for a single supplier. Benchmarking against similar contracts for food brokerage services within federal agencies is necessary to determine if this represents a fair price. Without specific details on the scope of services and the volume of goods brokered, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition for procurements below certain dollar thresholds. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is designed to encourage competition among qualified vendors. The use of SAP suggests that the agency sought competitive offers within the established procurement regulations for this value range.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP aims to ensure that taxpayers receive competitive pricing by allowing multiple vendors to submit offers, thereby driving down costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are inmates within the Federal Prison System, who will receive food supplies facilitated by the brokerage services. The contract ensures the provision of essential food items and related services to correctional facilities. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting federal prisons across various locations. The contract supports the operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons, indirectly impacting correctional staff and facility management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or service level agreements in the provided data.
Potential for price fluctuations if the contract terms do not adequately address market volatility in food commodities.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical supply chain function.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competed process, indicating potential for competitive pricing.
Firm Fixed Price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government.
Contract is for a defined period, allowing for re-evaluation of needs and contractor performance.

Sector Analysis

The food brokerage sector within the federal government is crucial for ensuring the efficient procurement and distribution of food supplies to various agencies, particularly those with large institutional needs like the Federal Prison System. This contract fits within the broader category of logistics and supply chain management services. Comparable spending benchmarks for food brokerage services can vary significantly based on the volume and type of goods managed, but this $19.5 million award suggests a significant operational scale.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The competition under SAP may have allowed small businesses to participate, but it was not a mandatory requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which is responsible for auditing and investigating federal programs. The Bureau of Prisons likely has internal contract management and oversight procedures to ensure compliance with the terms of the purchase order and to monitor contractor performance. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Procurement
Department of Justice Supply Chain Management
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contracts (if applicable)
Department of Agriculture Food Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions impacting food availability.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided summary.
Dependence on a single entity for critical food brokerage services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $19,500 to NEW ENGLAND FOOD BROKERAGE INC. A-1 3RD QTR FY26 NEW ENGLAND

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NEW ENGLAND FOOD BROKERAGE 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 $19,500.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-15. End: 2026-04-15.

What is the specific scope of services provided by New England Food Brokerage Inc. under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' and identifies the awardee as a 'Food Brokerage Inc.'. This suggests the contractor acts as an intermediary, connecting food producers or suppliers with the Federal Prison System. Services likely include identifying sources for food products, negotiating prices, managing logistics, ensuring quality standards, and potentially handling order fulfillment. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's statement of work, outlining specific product categories, delivery requirements, and reporting obligations.

How does the $19.5 million award compare to historical spending on food brokerage services by the Federal Prison System?

To assess historical spending, one would need to analyze past contract awards for similar food brokerage services by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) or the Department of Justice (DOJ). Examining data from previous fiscal years for contracts with the same or similar North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes (like 311999) and service descriptions would provide context. A significant increase or decrease compared to prior periods could indicate changes in procurement strategy, market conditions, or the scale of operations. Without access to historical BOP procurement data, a direct comparison is not possible from the information provided.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate New England Food Brokerage Inc.'s performance?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for food brokerage services, KPIs might include on-time delivery rates, product quality adherence (e.g., meeting specifications, freshness), cost savings achieved through negotiation, accuracy of orders, and responsiveness to inquiries or issues. The contract's statement of work and any associated performance work statement would detail these metrics and the methods for measuring and reporting on them. The government would use these KPIs to assess contractor performance and ensure value for money.

What is the risk profile associated with this contract, considering the contractor's track record and the nature of the services?

The risk profile for this contract involves several factors. The contractor's track record is a key consideration; a history of successful contract performance with government agencies would mitigate risk, while past issues could raise concerns. The nature of food brokerage involves managing supply chains, which can be susceptible to disruptions (e.g., weather, recalls, supplier issues), potentially impacting the availability and cost of food for the prison system. The firm fixed-price contract type shifts financial risk to the contractor, but performance failures could still lead to operational disruptions. The government's oversight and the contractor's own risk management practices are crucial.

How does the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) competition impact the potential for cost savings for taxpayers?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for purchases below certain thresholds, encouraging broader competition among vendors. When a contract is competed under SAP, it allows multiple qualified businesses to submit bids, fostering a competitive environment. This competition typically drives down prices as vendors strive to offer the most attractive terms. Therefore, competing this $19.5 million contract under SAP suggests an effort by the Department of Justice to secure favorable pricing and achieve cost savings for taxpayers by leveraging market forces.

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: 15B51926Q00000005

Offers Received: 24

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2 CABOT PLACE, STOUGHTON, MA, 02072

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,500

Exercised Options: $19,500

Current Obligation: $19,500

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline