DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $28.7M for food manufacturing services to Smooth Sailing Group LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,680 ($28.7K)
Contractor: THE Smooth Sailing Group LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-01
End Date: 2026-04-15
Contract Duration: 14 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 33
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FY26 A1 SMOOTH SAILING 3RD QTR
Place of Performance
Location: INEZ, MARTIN County, KENTUCKY, 41224
State: Kentucky Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $28,680.42 to THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC for work described as: FY26 A1 SMOOTH SAILING 3RD QTR Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single entity, The Smooth Sailing Group LLC. 2. Services are for 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' for the Federal Prison System. 3. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 4. The award value is $28,680,420.00 with a duration of 14 days. 5. The contract is Firm Fixed Price, indicating a set cost for the services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $28.7M for a 14-day period appears high for food manufacturing services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for short-duration, specialized food production is necessary to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting it was likely awarded to a small business or through a limited competition. The specific competition method impacts price discovery and potential for cost savings.
Taxpayer Impact: The significant award value for a short period raises questions about taxpayer impact and whether competitive pricing was fully achieved.
Public Impact
Impacts inmates through the provision of food manufacturing services. Potential for price fluctuations if competition was limited. Ensures operational continuity for the Federal Prison System's food supply.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High award value for a short duration.
- Limited competition details provided.
- Potential for cost inefficiencies due to short-term nature.
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a specific company for specialized services.
- Utilizes a Firm Fixed Price contract type.
Sector Analysis
The food manufacturing sector for correctional facilities is specialized. Spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more context on the specific goods or services provided within this 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' category.
Small Business Impact
While competed under SAP, it is unclear if The Smooth Sailing Group LLC is a small business. Further analysis is needed to determine if small business participation goals were met or if this represents an opportunity for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure the quality and cost-effectiveness of the food manufacturing services provided during the short contract period. The Bureau of Prisons should monitor performance closely.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Unusually high contract value for a short duration.
- Ambiguity in competition details under SAP.
- Potential for cost inefficiencies.
- Lack of detailed service description.
- Questionable value for money.
Tags
all-other-miscellaneous-food-manufacturi, department-of-justice, ky, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $28,680.42 to THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC. FY26 A1 SMOOTH SAILING 3RD QTR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP 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 $28,680.42.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-15.
What specific food manufacturing services are included in this $28.7M contract, and how does this align with typical industry costs for a 14-day period?
The contract specifies 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' for the Federal Prison System. Without a detailed breakdown of the specific food products or manufacturing processes, it is challenging to benchmark costs. The high award value for a mere 14 days suggests either highly specialized or high-volume production, warranting further investigation into the scope and necessity of such a significant expenditure for a short duration.
What were the specific parameters of the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' process, and how did this impact the final price and ensure fair market value?
Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are typically used for purchases up to $250,000, though exceptions exist. If this $28.7M award truly fell under SAP, it implies a specific justification or a misunderstanding of the data. If it was a limited competition, the price discovery mechanism might be less robust than a full and open competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.
How effectively will this short-term, high-value contract meet the ongoing food manufacturing needs of the Federal Prison System compared to longer-term, potentially more cost-efficient arrangements?
A 14-day contract duration for a $28.7M award is highly unusual for ongoing operational needs. This suggests a potential gap-filling measure or a very specific, short-term requirement. The effectiveness hinges on whether this meets an immediate, critical need. Long-term contracts often allow for better economies of scale and more stable pricing, making this short-term approach potentially less effective and more costly in the long run.
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: 15B11826Q00000003
Offers Received: 33
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 855 CENTRAL AVE UNIT 1202, SAINT PETERSBURG, FL, 33701
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $28,680
Exercised Options: $28,680
Current Obligation: $28,680
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2026-04-15
Potential End Date: 2026-04-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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