Justice Department awards $15.17M for office seating raw materials, with Unicor as the supplier

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,172 ($15.2K)

Contractor: Humanscale Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-04-20

Contract Duration: 14 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OFFICE SEATING RAW MATERIALS

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10010

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $15,172.45 to HUMANSCALE CORPORATION for work described as: OFFICE SEATING RAW MATERIALS Key points: 1. Value for money is assessed by comparing the contract's pricing to market benchmarks for similar raw materials. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators include the fixed-price contract type, which shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. 4. Performance context is provided by the short duration of the delivery order, indicating a specific, immediate need. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the manufacturing of office furniture, specifically raw materials. 6. The contract's value is moderate, falling within typical ranges for raw material procurement for seating components.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.17 million for office seating raw materials appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar raw material procurements for furniture manufacturing suggests that the pricing is likely competitive, especially considering the full and open competition. The firm fixed-price structure further supports value by capping the government's expenditure. However, a precise value-for-money assessment would require detailed cost breakdowns and comparison to current market prices for specific materials like foam, fabric, and metal components.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the nature of the competition suggests that multiple companies likely vied for this award. This level of competition is generally expected to drive prices down and encourage innovation, leading to better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that aims to secure the best possible pricing and quality for the required raw materials.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Justice and its various components, which will receive the finished office seating. The services delivered involve the procurement of essential raw materials for manufacturing office furniture, specifically seating. The geographic impact is primarily centered in New York, where the supplier, Federal Prison Industries (Unicor), is located. Workforce implications include supporting jobs within Unicor's manufacturing facilities and potentially within the supply chain for these raw materials.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price fluctuations in raw material markets not fully captured by the fixed-price contract.
Dependence on a single supplier (Unicor) for the final product, even if raw materials were competitively sourced.
Ensuring the quality and sustainability of raw materials meets federal standards and agency needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Supplier is Federal Prison Industries (Unicor), which aligns with federal mandates for using prison labor where feasible.
Short delivery order duration suggests a focused and manageable procurement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on the production of components for office furniture. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 337214, 'Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing,' encompasses companies involved in this type of production. The market for office furniture and its constituent parts is substantial, driven by government agencies, private sector businesses, and educational institutions. This contract represents a portion of the government's overall spending on equipping federal workspaces.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false, and there is no specific small business set-aside (ss) mentioned for this contract. This suggests that the procurement was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. Consequently, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless small businesses are involved as subcontractors to the primary awardee, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the Department of Justice's procurement division. As Federal Prison Industries (Unicor) is the supplier, there may be additional oversight from the Federal Bureau of Prisons regarding its operations and contract fulfillment. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide public access to award details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison Industries (Unicor) Contracts
Office Furniture Procurement
Raw Material Sourcing
Department of Justice Supply Chain Management

Risk Flags

Potential for price volatility in raw materials.
Quality assurance of sourced materials.
Timeliness of delivery within a short window.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $15,172.45 to HUMANSCALE CORPORATION. OFFICE SEATING RAW MATERIALS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HUMANSCALE CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison Industries / Unicor).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15,172.45.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-04-20.

What is the track record of Humanscale Corporation in supplying raw materials for office seating to the federal government?

The provided data lists 'HUMANSCALE CORPORATION' as the contractor ('co'). However, the award details indicate that the actual supplier ('sa') is 'FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES / UNICOR'. This suggests that Humanscale Corporation may be the entity that facilitated the contract or is otherwise involved, but Unicor is the direct provider of the goods. Without further clarification on Humanscale's role, assessing their specific track record for supplying raw materials for office seating to the federal government based solely on this entry is difficult. Typically, one would look at past awards to Humanscale for similar materials or finished goods, their performance ratings on previous federal contracts, and any history of disputes or contract terminations to gauge their reliability and experience in this specific niche.

How does the $15.17 million contract value compare to typical federal spending on office seating raw materials?

The $15.17 million contract value for office seating raw materials is a significant sum, indicating a substantial procurement. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to analyze historical federal spending data for similar raw materials (e.g., foam, fabric, metal components for seating) across different agencies and over several fiscal years. Comparing this award to the average contract size for raw material procurement within the office furniture manufacturing sector, particularly for entities like Federal Prison Industries (Unicor), would provide context. If this amount is considerably higher or lower than the average for comparable procurements, it could signal either exceptional value or potential overpricing/underbidding. The duration of the delivery order (14 days) suggests this is for immediate needs rather than a long-term supply agreement, which might influence the per-unit cost compared to longer-term contracts.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential price volatility of raw materials, quality control issues, and delivery delays. Since the contract is a firm fixed-price type, the risk of cost overruns due to fluctuating raw material prices is borne by the contractor, Federal Prison Industries (Unicor). Mitigation for quality control would involve adherence to material specifications outlined in the contract and potentially government inspections. Delivery delays are mitigated by the short, specified delivery period (April 6-20, 2026), which implies an urgent need and likely close monitoring. The use of Unicor, a government-owned entity, might also introduce specific operational risks or benefits related to its mission and structure compared to a purely commercial vendor.

How effective is the use of Federal Prison Industries (Unicor) for procuring office seating raw materials in terms of cost and quality?

The effectiveness of using Federal Prison Industries (Unicor) for procuring office seating raw materials involves balancing cost, quality, and the program's social mission. Unicor's mandate is to provide work opportunities for federal inmates, which can sometimes translate into cost savings compared to private sector labor, although this is not always the case when considering the full cost structure. Quality is expected to meet federal standards, but performance can vary. This specific contract, awarded under full and open competition, suggests that Unicor was deemed competitive on both price and capability against other potential suppliers. Analyzing Unicor's historical performance data, customer satisfaction ratings, and defect rates for similar products would provide a clearer picture of its effectiveness in delivering quality raw materials at a competitive price point.

What are the historical spending patterns for office seating raw materials by the Department of Justice?

To determine historical spending patterns for office seating raw materials by the Department of Justice (DOJ), one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS) for contracts awarded to the DOJ under relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 337214) and PSC codes related to furniture components or raw materials over multiple fiscal years. This analysis would reveal the total amount spent, the frequency of such procurements, the primary suppliers utilized (including Unicor), and the prevailing contract types and competition levels. Understanding these patterns helps in assessing whether the current $15.17 million award is an anomaly, a continuation of a trend, or indicative of changing needs or market conditions within the DOJ's furniture procurement strategy.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Office Furniture (including Fixtures) Manufacturing › Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: FURNITURE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1114 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS FL 15, NEW YORK, NY, 10036

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,172

Exercised Options: $15,172

Current Obligation: $15,172

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15UC0C22D00001349

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline