USDA awards $6.19M contract for frozen ground bison to Dakota Pure Meats

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $619,600 ($619.6K)

Contractor: Dakota Pure Meats, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-07-15

Contract Duration: 98 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011224/4100033950/BISON GROUND LEAN FRZ PKG-40/1 LB

Place of Performance

Location: DENVER, DENVER County, COLORADO, 80216

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $619,600 to DAKOTA PURE MEATS, LLC for work described as: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011224/4100033950/BISON GROUND LEAN FRZ PKG-40/1 LB Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Dakota Pure Meats, LLC for frozen ground bison. 2. The contract is for food donations, managed by the Agricultural Marketing Service. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract value is $6,196,000 with a duration of 98 days. 5. The sector is primarily food commodities, supporting agricultural markets.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.19M for 98 days of frozen ground bison seems reasonable given the quantity and nature of the commodity. Benchmarking against similar large-scale food procurement contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of taxpayer funds for food donations supports food security initiatives, with the competitive award process aiming for efficient allocation of resources.

Public Impact

Supports federal food assistance programs and potentially reduces food insecurity. Provides a market for agricultural producers of bison. Ensures availability of nutritious food items for donation recipients. The procurement process aims for transparency and fairness in government spending.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 63 / 10

Warning Flags

Short contract duration may limit long-term supplier relationships.
Reliance on a single awardee for a specific commodity.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition promotes fair pricing.
Supports agricultural sector and food donation programs.

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls within the agricultural and food services sector. Government spending in this area often supports domestic food production, distribution, and nutritional assistance programs.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this specific contract award, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service, which is responsible for overseeing federal procurement of agricultural commodities for various programs.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for price volatility in the bison market.
Logistical challenges in distributing frozen goods.
Dependence on specific agricultural supply chains.
Ensuring consistent quality across large batches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $619,600 to DAKOTA PURE MEATS, LLC. COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011224/4100033950/BISON GROUND LEAN FRZ PKG-40/1 LB

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DAKOTA PURE MEATS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $619,600.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-07-15.

What is the expected impact of this bison procurement on the broader bison market and producer pricing?

This significant procurement of 200,000 lbs of ground bison could positively impact bison producers by increasing demand and potentially stabilizing or raising market prices. The Agricultural Marketing Service's role is to ensure fair prices for producers while procuring goods for federal programs, thus balancing market dynamics with program objectives.

How does the unit cost of this bison compare to historical government food donation procurements or commercial wholesale prices?

Without specific historical data or commercial benchmarks for frozen ground bison, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the contract value of $6.19M for an unspecified total quantity (implied by the unit description) suggests a substantial volume. A detailed cost analysis would involve comparing the price per pound against similar USDA food purchase contracts and prevailing wholesale market rates.

What are the logistical and quality assurance measures in place to ensure the safe and timely delivery of the frozen bison?

The contract likely includes detailed specifications for packaging, freezing temperatures, transportation, and inspection to ensure food safety and quality. The Agricultural Marketing Service would oversee these aspects, potentially involving third-party inspections, to guarantee that the delivered product meets all federal standards for consumption and donation.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: 123J1426B0182

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 26727 266TH ST, WOOD, SD, 57585

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $619,600

Exercised Options: $619,600

Current Obligation: $619,600

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline