DOJ's $65.5K food contract awarded to AMS Consultant for Federal Prison System in California

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $65,520 ($65.5K)

Contractor: AMS Consultant

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-20

End Date: 2026-04-20

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: A-1 3RD QTR FY 26 BP FOODS

Place of Performance

Location: CALABASAS, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91302

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $65,520 to AMS CONSULTANT for work described as: A-1 3RD QTR FY 26 BP FOODS Key points: 1. Contract value appears to be a small portion of overall food spending, suggesting a specific need. 2. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. Single award indicates a specific vendor was selected, but competition details are limited. 5. Geographic focus on California for the Federal Prison System. 6. The contract's duration is a single day, implying a very specific, short-term requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $65,520 is relatively small in the context of federal food procurement. Without more data on the specific items or services provided, it's difficult to benchmark value effectively. However, the use of SAP suggests an effort to streamline procurement for lower-value items, which can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing compared to large-scale competitive bids. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a less formal bidding process than full and open competition. While it was competed, the number of bidders and the specific method used are not detailed. SAP is often used for procurements under the micro-purchase threshold or for specific circumstances allowing for limited competition to ensure efficiency for smaller dollar amounts.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, SAP aims to reduce administrative burden and speed up delivery for smaller needs, potentially saving on overall procurement process costs. However, the limited transparency in the competition process under SAP might mean less assurance of the absolute lowest price compared to a full and open competition.

Public Impact

Prisoners within the Federal Prison System in California will benefit from the provision of food supplies. The services delivered are essential food provisions for correctional facilities. The geographic impact is concentrated within California's federal correctional institutions. This contract supports the operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons, ensuring basic necessities for inmates.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition details under SAP may obscure potential cost savings.
Short, single-day duration raises questions about the nature of the requirement and potential for recurring needs.
Lack of detailed product/service description makes value assessment challenging.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Awarded under SAP suggests an effort towards efficient procurement for smaller needs.
Focus on essential food services for federal inmates.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader food manufacturing and distribution sector, which is a critical component of government supply chains, particularly for institutions like prisons. The federal government is a significant purchaser of food products. Contracts of this nature, even small ones, are essential for maintaining operational capacity within agencies like the Bureau of Prisons. Benchmarking would typically involve comparing prices for similar food items or services across different federal facilities or against commercial bulk purchasing rates.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-asides were not utilized for this contract (sb: false). There is no information regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, as it was not specifically targeted towards small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons. As a Purchase Order awarded under SAP, it is subject to standard procurement regulations and internal agency controls. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP, but records should be available through procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Bureau of Prisons Commissary Operations
Department of Justice Food Procurement
Federal Correctional Institution Supplies

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed product/service description
Limited competition information under SAP
Short, single-day contract duration raises questions about planning and potential cost inefficiencies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $65,520 to AMS CONSULTANT. A-1 3RD QTR FY 26 BP FOODS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMS CONSULTANT.

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 $65,520.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-20. End: 2026-04-20.

What specific food items or services does this $65,520 contract cover for the Federal Prison System?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'FOODS' under NAICS code '311999 - All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing'. However, the specific items or services are not detailed. This could range from bulk ingredients to pre-packaged meals or specialized dietary items. The 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' code suggests a broad category, and without further information, it's impossible to pinpoint the exact nature of the food products. The short, single-day duration might imply a specific, immediate need rather than a continuous supply chain.

How does the award to AMS Consultant compare to other food suppliers for the Federal Prison System in California?

Benchmarking AMS Consultant's performance requires more data on comparable contracts. The value of $65,520 is relatively small, suggesting it might be for a niche product, an emergency supply, or a specific facility's needs rather than a large-scale, system-wide contract. The Federal Prison System likely engages in numerous food procurement contracts of varying sizes and scopes. To assess AMS Consultant's standing, one would need to analyze their pricing, delivery performance, and product quality against other awarded contracts for similar items or services within the Bureau of Prisons, ideally within the same geographic region or for similar facility types.

What are the potential risks associated with a single-day contract for food supplies?

A single-day contract duration, as indicated for this award, presents several potential risks. It suggests a highly specific, immediate need, which could arise from unforeseen circumstances like stockouts, emergency requirements, or a gap in a larger supply chain. The risk is that this short-term solution might be more expensive than a planned, longer-term contract due to less competitive bidding and the urgency of the need. It also raises questions about the sustainability of supply if similar short-term needs arise repeatedly. Furthermore, it could indicate a failure in long-term planning or supply chain management if such urgent, short-duration procurements become a pattern.

What is the typical spending pattern for food supplies within the Federal Prison System in California?

The Federal Prison System, managed by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), has substantial and ongoing needs for food supplies across its facilities. Spending patterns are typically characterized by large-volume procurements, often through multi-year contracts awarded via full and open competition to leverage economies of scale. However, smaller, more localized, or emergency procurements, like the one awarded to AMS Consultant, also occur to address specific or immediate needs. Historical data would show significant annual expenditures on food services, with variations based on the number of inmates, facility size, and specific dietary requirements. The $65,520 award represents a very small fraction of the overall food budget for BOP facilities in California.

What does the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' classification imply for this contract?

The NAICS code 311999, 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing,' is a broad classification that encompasses establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing food products not elsewhere classified. This could include a wide array of items such as spices, herbs, extracts, sweeteners, condiments, prepared desserts, or even specialized food items for specific institutional needs. For this contract, it suggests that AMS Consultant is providing food-related products that do not fit into more specific manufacturing categories like dairy, meat, bakery, or canned goods. The ambiguity of this code highlights the need for more detailed contract descriptions to fully understand the nature and value of the goods procured.

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: 15B51926Q00000006

Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4762 PARK GRANADA UNIT 265, CALABASAS, CA, 91302

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $65,520

Exercised Options: $65,520

Current Obligation: $65,520

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline