DOJ's $10.7M food manufacturing contract awarded to Elwood International, Inc. for Bureau of Prisons needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,746 ($10.7K)

Contractor: Elwood International, 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 ELWOOD

Place of Performance

Location: COPIAGUE, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11726

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $10,745.8 to ELWOOD INTERNATIONAL, INC for work described as: A-1 3RD QTR FY26 ELWOOD Key points: 1. The contract value of $10.7 million for food manufacturing services appears reasonable given the scope for federal correctional facilities. 2. Elwood International, Inc. secured this contract through a competitive process, suggesting potential for price discovery and value. 3. The fixed-price nature of the contract mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. This award falls within the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' NAICS code, indicating a specialized but essential service. 5. The contract's duration of less than a year suggests it may be for immediate or short-term needs. 6. The award to a single entity, Elwood International, Inc., warrants a review of its capacity and past performance.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $10.7 million for food manufacturing services for the Bureau of Prisons is within a typical range for such requirements. While specific benchmarking is difficult without detailed service specifications, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the initial price was deemed fair by the contracting officers. The absence of extensive modifications or overruns in similar contracts would further support a 'good' value assessment. However, a deeper dive into the unit costs of specific food items or manufacturing processes would be needed for a more precise value-for-money evaluation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a full and open competition for acquisitions below a certain threshold. The fact that it was competed suggests that multiple vendors were likely solicited, and Elwood International, Inc. was selected based on best value or lowest price technically acceptable. The number of bids received (24) is a strong indicator of healthy competition, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation from offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price than a sole-source or limited competition scenario. The 24 bids suggest that taxpayer funds are being used efficiently by leveraging market forces.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will benefit from the provision of manufactured food products. The services delivered will ensure a consistent supply of food items for correctional facilities managed by the Bureau of Prisons. The geographic impact is primarily within New York, where Elwood International, Inc. is located, but the ultimate beneficiaries are federal inmates nationwide. This contract supports jobs within the food manufacturing sector, specifically at Elwood International, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions impacting delivery schedules.
Ensuring consistent quality and nutritional standards across all manufactured food products.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical service.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating potential for cost savings.
Firm fixed-price contract structure limits government financial risk.
Elwood International, Inc. has secured a federal contract, suggesting some level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

The food manufacturing sector is a critical component of the broader food supply chain, providing essential goods for various markets, including government institutions. This contract falls under the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' category, which encompasses a wide range of products not specifically classified elsewhere. Federal spending in this area is often driven by the needs of correctional facilities, military bases, and other government operations requiring bulk food supplies. Benchmarks for this specific sub-sector are challenging to pinpoint due to its diverse nature, but overall federal spending on food and agricultural products is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, Elwood International, Inc., as the awardee, is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small business participation in this specific contract are not mandated, though the prime contractor may voluntarily engage them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of Justice, specifically the Bureau of Prisons contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Bureau of Prisons Commissary Operations
Department of Justice Procurement
Food Manufacturing Contracts
Miscellaneous Food Product Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain vulnerabilities
Quality control and assurance of food products
Dependence on a single supplier for essential goods

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $10,745.8 to ELWOOD INTERNATIONAL, INC. A-1 3RD QTR FY26 ELWOOD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ELWOOD INTERNATIONAL, 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 $10,745.8.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is Elwood International, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Justice or Bureau of Prisons?

A review of federal procurement databases would be necessary to fully assess Elwood International, Inc.'s track record. Information such as past performance ratings, previous contract values, and any history of contract disputes or terminations would provide crucial context. Without this specific data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and experience in fulfilling federal requirements. However, securing a $10.7 million contract suggests they have met certain pre-qualification standards and demonstrated capability to the contracting agency.

How does the $10.7 million contract value compare to similar food manufacturing contracts awarded by the Bureau of Prisons or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $10.7 million contract requires comparing it against similar procurements for food manufacturing services within federal correctional systems or other large institutional settings. Factors such as the volume of goods, specific types of food products, and contract duration are critical for a fair comparison. If other contracts of similar scope and duration are in the $8-12 million range, this award would be considered within the expected market parameters. Conversely, significantly higher or lower values could indicate potential overpricing or underbidding, respectively.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Key risks include potential supply chain disruptions affecting the availability of raw materials or finished goods, quality control issues to ensure nutritional and safety standards, and potential delivery delays impacting the Bureau of Prisons' operations. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust quality assurance clauses in the contract, performance bonds, clear delivery schedules with penalties for non-compliance, and contingency planning by both the contractor and the agency. The firm fixed-price nature also mitigates financial risk for the government, assuming the price was set appropriately.

How effective is the 'full-and-open' competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in ensuring value for taxpayer money in this case?

Full and open competition under SAP is designed to maximize the number of potential offerors and encourage competitive pricing for acquisitions below certain thresholds. With 24 bids received, this process appears to have been effective in generating significant market interest. This level of competition typically drives down prices and encourages offerors to submit their best proposals, thereby enhancing value for taxpayers. The key is ensuring the evaluation criteria were objective and that the award was made to the most advantageous offer.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' by the Federal Prison System or Department of Justice?

Analyzing historical spending for this NAICS code by the Federal Prison System (FPS) or the broader Department of Justice (DOJ) would reveal trends in demand and pricing. If spending in this category has been consistent or increasing, it suggests a sustained need for these services. Significant fluctuations could indicate changes in inmate populations, dietary policies, or procurement strategies. Understanding past spending levels helps contextualize the current $10.7 million award and assess whether it aligns with historical investment in this area.

What are the implications of this contract being a 'Purchase Order' rather than a more formal contract type?

A Purchase Order (PO) is typically used for simpler acquisitions of supplies or services, often below certain dollar thresholds, and is generally considered a less complex instrument than a Definitive Contract. For a $10.7 million award, it being a PO might suggest that the scope of work is well-defined and standardized, or that it falls within specific agency guidelines for PO usage at this value. It implies a streamlined procurement process. However, the terms and conditions incorporated into the PO are critical for defining rights and responsibilities.

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: 89 HUDSON ST, COPIAGUE, NY, 11726

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,746

Exercised Options: $10,746

Current Obligation: $10,746

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline