VA awards $4.2M contract for bread and bakery products to Rockland Bakery Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,197 ($4.2K)

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: $13/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 $4,196.66 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 bakery items. 2. Delivery order under a larger contract suggests ongoing procurement needs. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost predictability. 4. Sole-source award may limit competitive pricing benefits. 5. Contract duration of approximately 10 months aligns with typical supply needs. 6. Geographic focus on New York suggests regional supply chain utilization.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.2 million for bread and bakery products appears to be a standard procurement for a federal agency like the VA. Without specific benchmarks for similar large-scale bakery contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty. The absence of detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons makes a precise pricing assessment challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source delivery order, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is typically used when a specific vendor is uniquely qualified or when urgency dictates a streamlined process. The lack of competition means that the VA did not benefit from multiple bids, which could potentially lead to higher prices than if a competitive bidding process had been employed.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can limit taxpayer savings by bypassing competitive pressures that drive down costs. This means the government may not be securing the most economically advantageous offer available in the market.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving services through VA facilities will benefit from the provision of fresh bakery products. The contract supports the daily operational needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The primary geographic impact is within New York, where the contractor is based and likely deliveries will occur. The contract supports jobs within the commercial bakery sector in the New York region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing, potentially increasing costs for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the sole-source justification requires further review.
No small business subcontracting plan is indicated, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller enterprises.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the VA.
Contract ensures a consistent supply of essential food items for veterans.
Delivery order mechanism allows for efficient procurement of specific needs.

Sector Analysis

The bread and bakery products sector is a fundamental part of the food service industry, with significant demand from both commercial and institutional buyers. Federal agencies, particularly those with large facilities like hospitals and commissaries, are consistent purchasers of these goods. While specific market size data for federal bakery procurement is not readily available, it represents a stable segment within the broader food supply chain. This contract fits within the VA's ongoing need to provide food services to its beneficiaries.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The sole-source nature of the award further reduces the likelihood of small business participation through subcontracting. This could represent a missed opportunity to support the small business ecosystem within the bakery sector.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' procurement and contracting offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price delivery order structure, requiring the contractor to fulfill specified product requirements. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award; further details on the justification for this approach would be necessary for a complete assessment.

Related Government Programs

Food and Food Products
Commissary and Mess Operations
Healthcare Food Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Lack of small business subcontracting opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $4,196.66 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 $4,196.66.

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 the historical spending patterns for bread and bakery products by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is crucial for understanding procurement trends and identifying potential cost efficiencies. While specific data for this contract is limited to $4.2 million, a broader review would involve examining VA's spending over the past 3-5 fiscal years on similar food items. This would include identifying the total annual expenditure, the primary contractors, the types of contracts used (e.g., competitive vs. sole-source), and the average price per unit or pound. Such an analysis could reveal if spending has been increasing or decreasing, if there's a reliance on a few key suppliers, and whether competitive solicitations have historically yielded better pricing. Without access to the VA's comprehensive procurement database, a precise historical analysis is not possible, but it would typically involve looking at contract awards under relevant Product Service Codes (PSCs) related to food and bakery items.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar federal or commercial bakery contracts?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $4.2 million bread and bakery products contract against similar federal or commercial agreements is essential for assessing value for money. Given that this is a sole-source award, direct price comparisons with competitively bid contracts are challenging, as competitive processes typically drive prices down. To conduct a thorough comparison, one would need access to pricing data for comparable contracts awarded by other federal agencies (e.g., DoD, GSA) or large commercial entities procuring similar volumes and types of bakery goods. Key metrics for comparison would include price per loaf, price per pound, or price per unit for specific items like bread, rolls, and pastries. Factors such as delivery location, frequency, product specifications (e.g., ingredients, nutritional content), and contract duration also influence pricing and must be considered. Without this comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state whether the pricing is optimal or if taxpayers are receiving a fair deal.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source award for essential food supplies?

A sole-source award for essential food supplies like bread and bakery products carries several inherent risks. Primarily, the lack of competition can lead to inflated prices, as the contractor faces no pressure to offer the most cost-effective solution. This can result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these goods. Secondly, sole-source awards can reduce transparency in the procurement process, making it harder to scrutinize the justification for not competing the contract and potentially masking inefficiencies or preferential treatment. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes dependent on a single supplier, potentially limiting flexibility in product offerings or service quality over time. Furthermore, if the sole-source contractor experiences supply chain disruptions or quality issues, there are fewer immediate alternatives available to ensure continuity of essential services for the intended beneficiaries, such as veterans.

What is the track record of Rockland Bakery Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts?

Assessing the track record of Rockland Bakery Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts is vital for understanding their reliability and performance history. Information on past federal contract performance can typically be found in government databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). A review would look at the number of previous federal contracts awarded to Rockland Bakery, their value, the agencies they served, and the types of goods or services provided. Crucially, it would involve examining performance evaluations, if available, to identify any past issues related to delivery timeliness, product quality, or contract compliance. A positive track record with previous federal engagements would suggest a lower risk for this current contract, while a history of performance problems might raise concerns about the VA's selection and the potential for future issues.

How does this contract align with the Department of Veterans Affairs' mission to provide comprehensive care?

This contract for bread and bakery products directly aligns with the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) mission to provide comprehensive care to veterans. Access to nutritious and appealing food is a fundamental aspect of healthcare and overall well-being, particularly for individuals residing in or receiving services at VA facilities. By ensuring a steady supply of essential food items, the VA can maintain the quality of meals served, contributing to patient satisfaction, recovery, and daily comfort. This procurement supports the operational capacity of VA medical centers and other facilities to meet the basic needs of the veteran population they serve, reinforcing the VA's commitment to holistic care beyond medical treatment.

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: $4,197

Exercised Options: $4,197

Current Obligation: $4,197

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24225D0027

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline