DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $662K purchase order for food manufacturing to Clark's Trading Co

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $66,282 ($66.3K)

Contractor: Clark's Trading CO.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 21 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 A1 CLARKS TRADING 3RD QTR UNISON BUY 1206641

Place of Performance

Location: WALES, WAUKESHA County, WISCONSIN, 53183

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $66,282 to CLARK'S TRADING CO. for work described as: FY26 A1 CLARKS TRADING 3RD QTR UNISON BUY 1206641 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for a short duration of 21 days, suggesting an immediate need or a gap-filling requirement. 2. The contract value of $662,282 for a 21-day period indicates a potentially high per-diem cost for food supplies. 3. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), implying a focus on smaller value procurements. 4. The purchase order is for 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing', a broad category that warrants further clarity on specific items. 5. The contract is firm-fixed-price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 6. The contractor, Clark's Trading Co., is based in Wisconsin, indicating a potential geographic focus for this specific procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $662,282 for a 21-day period translates to approximately $31,537 per day. Without specific details on the quantity and type of food products, it is difficult to benchmark this against similar contracts. However, the daily expenditure appears substantial for a short-term food supply requirement, raising questions about potential overpricing or the inclusion of specialized items.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders, often three or fewer, for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold. While competed, the limited nature of SAP competitions may not always yield the most competitive pricing compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can mean potentially higher prices than could be achieved through broader market engagement. However, SAP is designed for efficiency in acquiring goods and services quickly and cost-effectively for smaller needs.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System are the primary beneficiaries, receiving food supplies. The services delivered include the manufacturing and supply of miscellaneous food products. The geographic impact is likely localized to the correctional facilities served by this contract, with the contractor based in Wisconsin. Workforce implications are primarily within Clark's Trading Co., potentially involving manufacturing and logistics personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High daily expenditure for a short-term food supply contract warrants scrutiny of value for money.
The broad 'Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' category lacks specificity, making it hard to assess the exact nature of goods procured.
Limited competition under SAP may not have secured the best possible pricing for taxpayers.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure transfers cost overrun risk to the contractor.
The use of SAP suggests an effort towards efficient procurement for a specific, potentially urgent, need.
The contract was competed, indicating an attempt to engage multiple vendors within the SAP framework.

Sector Analysis

The food manufacturing sector is diverse, encompassing a wide range of products from basic ingredients to processed meals. Government agencies, particularly those managing large institutions like correctional facilities, are significant consumers of food products. Spending in this category is often driven by the need for consistent, safe, and cost-effective food supplies. Benchmarking this contract's value requires detailed comparison with other food service contracts within federal agencies or similar institutional settings.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. The contractor, Clark's Trading Co., is likely a small business given the contract value and SAP competition, but this is not explicitly stated. Further analysis would be needed to determine its size status and any potential impact on the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order issued under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, oversight may be less formalized than for larger, more complex contracts. Accountability rests with the Bureau of Prisons contracting officers to ensure compliance with terms and conditions. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements, with less public detail available compared to larger contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Bureau of Prisons Commissary Operations
Department of Justice Food Procurement
Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for high per-diem cost
Lack of specificity in product description
Limited competition under SAP

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $66,282 to CLARK'S TRADING CO.. FY26 A1 CLARKS TRADING 3RD QTR UNISON BUY 1206641

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CLARK'S TRADING CO..

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 $66,282.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-04-30.

What specific types of food products are included under 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' for this contract?

The provided data classifies the procurement under 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' (NAICS code 311999). This broad category encompasses a wide array of food items, potentially including baked goods, snacks, beverages, spices, condiments, or processed food preparations not elsewhere classified. Without further documentation or a detailed product list appended to the contract award notice, the exact nature of the food products remains unspecified. This lack of specificity makes it challenging to perform a precise value analysis or to compare it accurately with other food supply contracts. It is possible that the contract covers a variety of items needed to supplement existing food service operations or to meet specific dietary requirements within the federal prison system.

How does the daily cost of approximately $31,537 compare to typical per-diem food costs in correctional facilities?

Determining a precise benchmark for per-diem food costs in correctional facilities is complex, as it varies significantly based on factors like inmate population size, dietary needs, menu complexity, and geographic location. However, a daily expenditure of $31,537 for food supplies, derived from the $662,282 contract over 21 days, appears high for a short-term procurement. Typical per-diem costs for inmate meals often range from $3 to $7 per inmate per day. If this contract is solely for food supplies and not full meal preparation services, the daily cost suggests either a very large number of inmates being served or the procurement of specialized, high-cost food items. Further investigation into the quantity of goods and the specific needs of the facility is required to assess the value proposition.

What is the track record of Clark's Trading Co. with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Justice or Bureau of Prisons?

Information regarding Clark's Trading Co.'s specific track record with federal contracts, especially with the Department of Justice or the Bureau of Prisons, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require accessing federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to review their past performance, contract history, and any reported issues or successes. Understanding their experience with similar food manufacturing or supply contracts, their performance ratings on previous awards, and their history of compliance would provide crucial context for evaluating the current award. Without this historical data, it is difficult to gauge their reliability and capability in fulfilling this specific purchase order effectively.

What are the potential risks associated with a short-duration contract for essential supplies like food?

Short-duration contracts for essential supplies like food can present several risks. Firstly, they may indicate an urgent or unexpected need, potentially stemming from a disruption in the regular supply chain or an unforeseen increase in demand. This urgency can sometimes lead to less thorough vetting of contractors or less competitive pricing. Secondly, a 21-day contract might not allow sufficient time for the contractor to establish robust production or delivery schedules, potentially leading to stockouts or quality issues if not managed closely. Lastly, frequent reliance on short-term contracts for recurring needs can be less cost-effective in the long run compared to longer-term agreements that allow for economies of scale and more stable planning for both the agency and the supplier.

How does the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) impact the overall cost-effectiveness for the Bureau of Prisons?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000, though specific agency thresholds may vary). For the Bureau of Prisons, using SAP for a $662,282 contract (which appears to exceed the standard SAT threshold, suggesting it might fall under a specific agency exception or a different interpretation of SAP applicability) can offer speed and administrative efficiency. However, SAP typically involves limited competition, often relying on GSA schedules or informal solicitations from a small number of vendors. While efficient, this limited competition may not always result in the lowest possible prices compared to full and open competition. The cost-effectiveness hinges on whether the administrative savings and speed outweigh potential price increases due to reduced market engagement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Food Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: UNISON BUY 1206641

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: W312S5745 DABLE RD, MUKWONAGO, WI, 53149

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $66,282

Exercised Options: $66,282

Current Obligation: $66,282

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline