VA awards $23M contract for bread and bakery products to Rockland Bakery Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,997 ($23.0K)

Contractor: Rockland Bakery Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-01-20

End Date: 2025-11-30

Contract Duration: 314 days

Daily Burn Rate: $73/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BREAD AND BAKERY PRODUCTS

Place of Performance

Location: NANUET, ROCKLAND County, NEW YORK, 10954

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $22,997.36 to ROCKLAND BAKERY INC. for work described as: BREAD AND BAKERY PRODUCTS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential food supplies, indicating consistent demand for baked goods within the VA. 2. The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting a streamlined procurement process for this category. 3. Delivery order structure implies flexibility in fulfilling immediate or fluctuating needs. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 5. The duration of the order is approximately 10 months, aligning with typical supply needs. 6. Focus on commercial bakeries suggests a market with established players and standard product offerings.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $22.99 million for bread and bakery products appears reasonable given the scope of supplying a federal agency. Benchmarking against similar contracts for food services within the Department of Veterans Affairs would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps control costs. The specific quantity and variety of products are not detailed, which limits a granular price comparison.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which is a common method for procurements below certain thresholds. While this indicates competition, the specific number of bidders is not provided. SAP aims to increase efficiency while still allowing for adequate price competition among qualified vendors. The use of SAP suggests that the agency sought competitive offers within a streamlined process.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP generally leads to competitive pricing for taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to submit bids. This process helps ensure that the government is not overpaying for goods and services.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving services at VA facilities will benefit from the provision of fresh baked goods. This contract ensures the availability of essential food items for daily operations within the VA. The primary geographic impact is within the service areas of the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. The contract supports the workforce of Rockland Bakery Inc. and potentially its suppliers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific product details limits full value assessment.
Competition details (number of bidders) are not fully transparent under SAP.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Competition under SAP suggests an effort to achieve fair market pricing.
Delivery order allows for flexible fulfillment of needs.

Sector Analysis

The market for commercial bakeries is mature and competitive, with numerous suppliers capable of meeting federal procurement needs. This contract fits within the broader food services and supplies sector for government agencies. Spending on food and subsistence items is a consistent requirement across various federal departments, particularly those with healthcare or residential facilities like the VA. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other food service contracts within the VA or similar agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Rockland Bakery Inc., is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information on subcontracting requirements, but larger contracts often include provisions for small business participation. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small businesses to directly bid on this specific contract were limited, though they may participate as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Food and Subsistence
Medical Supplies and Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions affecting delivery.
Quality control of perishable goods requires consistent monitoring.
Limited transparency on the number of bidders under SAP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $22,997.36 to ROCKLAND BAKERY INC.. BREAD AND BAKERY PRODUCTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ROCKLAND BAKERY INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22,997.36.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-20. End: 2025-11-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for bread and bakery products by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Analyzing historical spending data for bread and bakery products by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is crucial for understanding procurement trends and identifying potential cost savings. While specific historical figures for this exact contract line item are not provided in the current data, the VA consistently procures food and subsistence items to support its healthcare facilities and veteran services nationwide. Past contract awards for similar goods can reveal fluctuations in pricing, changes in awarded vendors, and the overall volume of demand. A review of previous years' spending would likely show a recurring need for these products, potentially with varying contract values based on market conditions, inflation, and specific facility requirements. Understanding these patterns helps in forecasting future needs and negotiating better terms for long-term agreements.

How does Rockland Bakery Inc.'s track record compare to other potential bidders for this contract?

Assessing Rockland Bakery Inc.'s track record involves examining its past performance on federal contracts, its financial stability, and its capacity to meet the VA's requirements. Without access to a comprehensive contractor performance database or specific details on other bidders, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the fact that Rockland Bakery Inc. was awarded this contract suggests they met the VA's criteria for capability and past performance. Federal agencies typically maintain records of contractor performance, which influence future award decisions. If Rockland Bakery Inc. has a history of successful deliveries and positive performance reviews on previous VA or other government contracts, it strengthens their position. Conversely, any past issues could raise concerns. A thorough analysis would require reviewing performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS) and any documented disputes or corrective actions associated with Rockland Bakery Inc.'s prior government work.

What are the key risk indicators associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risk indicators for this contract primarily revolve around supply chain disruptions, quality control of perishable goods, and potential price volatility if the contract were not fixed-price. For instance, unforeseen events like natural disasters or transportation issues could impact timely delivery of bakery products. Quality control is also a concern, as maintaining freshness and meeting dietary standards is paramount for a healthcare provider like the VA. The mitigation strategies include the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type, which locks in the price and shifts some of the financial risk to the contractor. The delivery order (DO) structure allows the VA to order as needed, potentially reducing waste of perishable items. Furthermore, the VA likely has quality assurance surveillance plans (QASP) in place to monitor product quality and delivery performance. Contractor performance history also serves as a risk indicator; a contractor with a poor track record would present higher risks.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in ensuring competitive pricing for goods like bakery products?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for acquisitions below certain dollar thresholds (currently $250,000, though specific agency rules may vary, and this contract value exceeds that, suggesting it might have been competed using other full and open procedures or a specific exception). When properly executed, SAP can indeed foster competitive pricing by encouraging multiple quotes or proposals from qualified vendors. The process is generally faster and less burdensome than full-scale competitive bidding, making it attractive for routine purchases. However, the effectiveness in ensuring optimal pricing depends heavily on the number of vendors solicited and the level of competition generated. If only a few vendors are aware of or choose to participate in SAP solicitations, the price discovery might be less robust than in a broader, full-and-open competition. For this specific contract, if it was indeed competed under SAP, the VA would have solicited quotes from multiple sources to ensure fair and reasonable pricing.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the small business ecosystem within the bakery industry?

This contract, awarded to Rockland Bakery Inc. without a specific small business set-aside, has a neutral to potentially negative impact on the small business ecosystem in the direct sense of prime contracting opportunities. Small businesses are less likely to be the prime contractor for a contract of this magnitude unless it's specifically designated for them. However, the impact can be positive if Rockland Bakery Inc. actively engages small businesses as subcontractors for specialized ingredients, delivery services, or other support functions. The overall health of the bakery industry, supported by consistent government demand, indirectly benefits small businesses within the supply chain. The VA's overall procurement strategy, including set-aside goals for other contracts, plays a larger role in the broader impact on small businesses.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing › Commercial Bakeries

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 94 DEMAREST MILL RD W, NANUET, NY, 10954

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,997

Exercised Options: $22,997

Current Obligation: $22,997

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24225D0027

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline