USDA's $1.24M Contract for Frozen Beef to Seminole Tribe Amidst Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,240,672 ($1.2M)

Contractor: Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2022-12-23

End Date: 2023-02-28

Contract Duration: 67 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000008966/4100026719/BEEF FINE GROUND FRZ CTN-40 LB

Place of Performance

Location: FORT MCCOY, MARION County, FLORIDA, 32134

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $1.2 million to SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA, INC for work described as: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000008966/4100026719/BEEF FINE GROUND FRZ CTN-40 LB Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. for frozen beef represents a significant investment in food donation commodities. 2. Competition was conducted under a 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' clause, suggesting a specific justification for source exclusion. 3. The contract's fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the limited duration might impact long-term supply chain stability. 4. The sector involves agricultural marketing and food distribution, crucial for government food assistance programs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract price of $1,240,671.58 for 200,008,966 units of fine ground frozen beef needs further benchmarking against similar government food donation contracts. Without comparable data, assessing value for money is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract utilized 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while competition was sought, specific sources were initially excluded. This method can impact price discovery if the exclusion criteria were overly restrictive.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for food donations, aiming to support food security initiatives. The effectiveness of this specific contract in achieving those goals at a reasonable cost requires further analysis.

Public Impact

Ensures supply of essential food commodities for USG food donation programs. Supports agricultural sector through procurement of beef products. Potential impact on food banks and recipients relying on these donations. Contracting with a tribal entity may align with specific socio-economic goals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of clear justification for 'Exclusion of Sources' in competition.
Limited contract duration may not ensure sustained supply.
Absence of per-unit cost benchmark makes value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Utilizes a firm fixed-price contract for cost certainty.
Procurement supports vital food donation programs.
Competition was sought, albeit with source exclusions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the agricultural marketing and food distribution sector, specifically for commodities used in government food donation programs. Benchmarks for similar large-scale food procurement contracts would be necessary to fully assess cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. While the data indicates the awardee is a tribal entity, it does not specify if it qualifies as a small business. Further analysis is needed to determine the extent of small business participation or benefit.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' warrants oversight to ensure the exclusion criteria were justified and did not unduly limit competition. The Agricultural Marketing Service should provide clear documentation for such exclusions.

Related Government Programs

Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Agricultural Marketing Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of transparency regarding source exclusion justification.
Potential for limited competition impacting price discovery.
Absence of clear per-unit cost benchmarks for value assessment.
Short contract duration may pose supply chain risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $1.2 million to SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA, INC. COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000008966/4100026719/BEEF FINE GROUND FRZ CTN-40 LB

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Marketing Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-23. End: 2023-02-28.

What was the specific justification for excluding certain sources prior to the 'Full and Open Competition' for this beef contract?

The justification for excluding specific sources before initiating 'Full and Open Competition' is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such exclusions are based on factors like national security, specific capabilities, or prior performance issues. Without this information, it's difficult to assess if the exclusion was necessary or if it potentially limited competitive pricing.

How does the per-pound cost of this frozen beef compare to similar government food donation contracts awarded over the same period?

The provided data does not include a per-pound cost or sufficient detail to calculate it accurately, nor does it offer comparative pricing data from similar contracts. A thorough value assessment requires benchmarking against contracts for identical or comparable commodities procured by the government, considering factors like grade, origin, and delivery terms.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the recipients of USG food donations, considering the quantity and type of beef procured?

This contract for 200,000,000+ pounds of frozen beef is substantial and likely to significantly bolster the supply of protein for USG food donation programs. The fine ground nature suggests versatility for various meal preparations, potentially improving nutritional offerings for beneficiaries.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Animal Slaughtering and Processing › Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: 123J1423B0115

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6300 STIRLING RD, HOLLYWOOD, FL, 33024

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Government, HUBZone Firm, Native American Tribal Government, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Agricultural Cooperative, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,240,672

Exercised Options: $1,240,672

Current Obligation: $1,240,672

Actual Outlays: $1,240,672

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline