DOJ awards $4.97M purchase order for small arms ammunition to Sabre Systems, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,970 ($5.0K)

Contractor: Sabre Systems, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 53 days

Daily Burn Rate: $94/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: FY26 E1 SABER OC ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: LEXINGTON PARK, SAINT MARYS County, MARYLAND, 20653

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $4,970 to SABRE SYSTEMS, LLC for work described as: FY26 E1 SABER OC ORDER Key points: 1. Value for money is difficult to assess due to limited competition and lack of detailed cost breakdowns. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a sole-source award, potentially limiting price discovery and increasing costs. 3. Risk indicators include the short performance period and the lack of a competitive bidding process. 4. Performance context is limited to a small quantity of ammunition for a short duration. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the defense and public safety supply chain for law enforcement. 6. The award is a purchase order, suggesting a need for immediate or specific procurement rather than a large-scale contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The value for money is difficult to ascertain without a competitive bidding process or detailed cost analysis. The fixed-price nature of the award provides some cost certainty, but the absence of comparison data makes it hard to benchmark against market rates or similar contracts. The relatively small dollar amount suggests a specific, perhaps urgent, need rather than a large-scale strategic acquisition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source purchase order, meaning it was not competed. The data indicates it was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' suggesting a direct award without soliciting bids from multiple vendors. This lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore various pricing options and potentially secure a more favorable rate.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher prices for taxpayers as there is no market pressure to drive down costs. The absence of competition means the government may not be getting the best possible value for its expenditure.

Public Impact

The Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons is the primary beneficiary, receiving the ammunition. The service delivered is the supply of small arms ammunition. The geographic impact is likely limited to the facilities where the ammunition will be used by the Bureau of Prisons. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting the logistics and supply chain personnel involved in the delivery and distribution of the ammunition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in inflated pricing.
Limited performance period raises questions about long-term supply chain reliability.
Sole-source award bypasses opportunities for small business participation through subcontracting.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for this specific order.
Award to an established entity (Sabre Systems, LLC) suggests potential for reliable delivery.
The procurement is for a specific, essential item (ammunition) for law enforcement operations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense and public safety sector, specifically related to the manufacturing and supply of small arms ammunition. The market for ammunition is generally characterized by established manufacturers and a demand driven by government agencies (law enforcement, military) and civilian consumers. While the overall market size for ammunition is substantial, this specific contract represents a small portion of that market, likely fulfilling a niche requirement for the Bureau of Prisons.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have a small business set-aside component. The data indicates 'sb: false'. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans, so the impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Sabre Systems, LLC voluntarily engages small businesses for any part of this order.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement regulations and the Bureau of Prisons' supply chain management. As a sole-source award, it may receive heightened scrutiny from oversight bodies if not properly justified. Transparency is limited due to the lack of a competitive process and public details on the justification for the sole-source award.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Procurement
Bureau of Prisons Ammunition Contracts
Department of Justice Law Enforcement Supplies
Small Arms Ammunition Federal Supply

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification
Limited competition may lead to higher costs
Lack of detailed performance metrics
Short contract duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $4,970 to SABRE SYSTEMS, LLC. FY26 E1 SABER OC ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SABRE SYSTEMS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4,970.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the track record of Sabre Systems, LLC in supplying small arms ammunition to federal agencies?

Information regarding Sabre Systems, LLC's specific track record in supplying small arms ammunition to federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. The award is a purchase order, suggesting it might be a new or infrequent supplier for this specific item to the Bureau of Prisons. Further investigation into the company's past performance, particularly with similar ammunition types and quantities, would be necessary to fully assess their reliability and experience in this niche market. Without historical data on their performance for this product category, it's difficult to gauge their capabilities beyond what is indicated by this single award.

How does the price of this ammunition compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?

The provided data does not include specific pricing details for the ammunition, only the total value of the purchase order ($4.97M). Therefore, a direct comparison to market rates or similar federal contracts is not possible. The fact that this was a sole-source award ('NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP') further complicates price benchmarking, as there was no competitive process to establish a market-driven price. To assess value for money, one would need to obtain unit costs and compare them against publicly available pricing for similar ammunition types from other government contracts or commercial vendors, considering factors like quantity, specifications, and delivery terms.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source award for ammunition?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source award include potential overpayment due to the lack of competition, which limits price discovery and negotiation leverage for the government. There is also a risk related to the supplier's capability and reliability, as a competitive process often vets multiple potential suppliers. The short performance period (ending May 31, 2026) might indicate a risk of supply disruption if the initial quantity is insufficient or if follow-on procurements are not planned effectively. Finally, the lack of transparency inherent in sole-source awards can obscure potential conflicts of interest or inefficiencies.

What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in meeting the Bureau of Prisons' ammunition needs?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on whether the quantity and type of ammunition procured meet the specific operational requirements of the Bureau of Prisons within the defined performance period. Given it's a purchase order for small arms ammunition, it likely addresses a defined need for training, operational use, or specific facility requirements. However, the limited duration and sole-source nature mean its long-term effectiveness in ensuring a consistent and cost-effective supply chain for the Bureau of Prisons cannot be fully assessed from this data alone. Its effectiveness is best measured by the timely delivery of compliant ammunition to meet immediate needs.

What are the historical spending patterns for small arms ammunition by the Bureau of Prisons or DOJ?

The provided data does not contain historical spending patterns for small arms ammunition by the Bureau of Prisons or the Department of Justice. To analyze historical spending, one would need access to past contract awards, including quantities, types of ammunition, contractors, and total expenditures over several fiscal years. This would allow for the identification of trends, average costs, and the typical procurement methods used (e.g., competitive vs. sole-source). Understanding these patterns is crucial for evaluating whether the current $4.97M award is consistent with past investments or represents a significant deviation.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and is a 'SOLE SOURCE' award. However, it does not detail the specific justification for this sole-source determination. Typically, sole-source awards require a formal justification, such as the existence of only one responsible source capable of providing the required item, urgent and compelling circumstances that preclude competition, or specific national security reasons. Without this documented justification, it is difficult to assess the validity of bypassing the competitive bidding process and to determine if it was truly in the government's best interest.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing › Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Sabre Systems, Inc.

Address: 46610 EXPEDITION DR STE 300, LEXINGTON PARK, MD, 20653

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,970

Exercised Options: $4,970

Current Obligation: $4,970

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline