Lakeside Foods Inc. awarded $133,940 for frozen mixed vegetables, supporting USG food donations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $133,940 ($133.9K)

Contractor: Lakeside Foods Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 114 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011256/4400002443/4100033960/MIXED VEGETABLES FRZ CTN-6/5LB

Place of Performance

Location: MANITOWOC, MANITOWOC County, WISCONSIN, 54220

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $133,940.4 to LAKESIDE FOODS INC for work described as: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011256/4400002443/4100033960/MIXED VEGETABLES FRZ CTN-6/5LB Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the specified quantity and type of goods. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Delivery order structure indicates flexibility within a larger framework. 4. Fixed-price contract shifts risk to the contractor. 5. Contract duration is relatively short, focusing on immediate needs. 6. Geographic focus on Wisconsin for production.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $133,940 for 20,000 lbs of frozen mixed vegetables seems aligned with market prices for bulk food commodities. Benchmarking against similar government food donation procurements would provide further context, but the price per pound appears competitive. The firm fixed-price structure is standard for commodity purchases, ensuring cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: $6.70 per pound (estimated based on 20,000 lbs)

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 13 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and achieving competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include individuals and families receiving food assistance through USG donation programs. Services delivered include the provision of essential frozen mixed vegetables. Geographic impact is national, as donated food is distributed across the US. Workforce implications are primarily within the food processing and logistics sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions affecting delivery timelines.
Quality control of frozen vegetables needs consistent monitoring.

Positive Signals

Contractor has a track record of supplying food commodities.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Delivery order mechanism allows for phased delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader food manufacturing and distribution sector, specifically focusing on processed and frozen vegetables. The market for government food procurement is significant, driven by various programs like food assistance and disaster relief. This specific award is a small component of overall federal spending on food commodities, but contributes to the Agricultural Marketing Service's mission.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication of a small business set-aside for this contract, nor is the awardee identified as a small business. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed in the provided data but could arise in areas like transportation or specialized processing if Lakeside Foods utilizes external partners.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) through contract administration and quality assurance checks. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver goods as specified. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards.

Related Government Programs

USG Food Donation Programs
Agricultural Marketing Service Procurements
Commodity Procurement for Federal Agencies

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions
Quality assurance of perishable goods

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $133,940.4 to LAKESIDE FOODS INC. COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011256/4400002443/4100033960/MIXED VEGETABLES FRZ CTN-6/5LB

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LAKESIDE FOODS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $133,940.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-07-31.

What is Lakeside Foods Inc.'s track record with federal food procurement contracts?

Lakeside Foods Inc. has a history of supplying food products to the federal government, as indicated by its participation in this procurement. While specific details on past performance metrics, contract values, and compliance history are not provided in this snippet, the award itself suggests a level of capability and prior experience deemed sufficient by the contracting agency. Further investigation into the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or other government databases would be necessary to fully assess their track record, including any past performance evaluations, disputes, or awards.

How does the price per pound of these frozen vegetables compare to similar government contracts or market rates?

The estimated price per pound for these frozen mixed vegetables is approximately $6.70. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against recent government contracts for similar items (e.g., frozen vegetables, similar pack sizes, same delivery period) awarded by agencies like the Department of Defense (through DLA Troop Support) or other USDA programs. Market rates for bulk frozen vegetables can fluctuate based on seasonality, crop yields, and overall demand. A preliminary comparison suggests this price is within a reasonable range for bulk, government-specified commodities, but a detailed analysis would require access to more granular pricing data and market intelligence.

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

Key risks include potential supply chain disruptions (e.g., weather impacting harvests, transportation delays) and quality control issues with the frozen vegetables. Mitigation strategies are inherent in the contract structure: the firm fixed-price nature incentivizes the contractor, Lakeside Foods Inc., to manage costs and ensure quality to meet the specified requirements. The relatively short delivery period (April to July 2026) also limits the exposure to long-term market volatility. The government's oversight and inspection processes serve as a final layer of risk mitigation to ensure the delivered product meets standards.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach in ensuring value for taxpayer money in this specific instance?

The 'full and open competition' approach, evidenced by 13 bids received, is generally effective in promoting value for taxpayer money. It allows a wide range of potential suppliers to compete, driving prices down through market forces and encouraging efficiency. In this case, the competitive bidding process likely resulted in a price that reflects the current market conditions and the contractor's ability to deliver efficiently. The transparency of the process also builds public trust. However, the ultimate effectiveness depends on the clarity of the solicitation requirements and the rigor of the evaluation process.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar food commodity procurements by the Agricultural Marketing Service?

Historical spending patterns for similar food commodity procurements by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) would reveal trends in volume, types of commodities purchased, average prices, and contractor performance over time. AMS procures a wide range of agricultural products to support various domestic and international food assistance programs. Analyzing past spending data would help establish baseline costs, identify seasonal purchasing trends, and understand the typical scale of such contracts. This specific award of $133,940 for frozen vegetables appears to be a standard, relatively small-scale procurement within the broader context of AMS's annual food purchasing budget.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing › Fruit and Vegetable Canning

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 123J1425B0350

Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lakeside Foods, Inc.

Address: 2400 S 44TH ST, MANITOWOC, WI, 54220

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $133,940

Exercised Options: $133,940

Current Obligation: $133,940

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 123J1425D0053

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline