DOJ's $85M Inmate Clothing BPA Awarded to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. for FY26
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $85,194 ($85.2K)
Contractor: Federal Prison Industries, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2025-10-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $234/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FY26 INMATE CLOTHING BPA #15BFA025A00000039 POP: 10/01/25 - 09/30/26
Place of Performance
Location: TEXARKANA, BOWIE County, TEXAS, 75501
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $85,194 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC for work described as: FY26 INMATE CLOTHING BPA #15BFA025A00000039 POP: 10/01/25 - 09/30/26 Key points: 1. The contract is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for inmate clothing, valued at $85.19 million. 2. Awarded to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR), a government-owned entity. 3. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller procurements. 4. The spending is categorized under Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (NAICS 315990).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The BPA call award amount of $85.19 million for a 364-day period appears reasonable for inmate clothing supplies. Benchmarking against similar contracts for correctional facility apparel is necessary for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition for smaller dollar value procurements. The specific competition method and its impact on price discovery are not detailed but SAP generally aims for competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of a government-owned entity for inmate clothing aims to fulfill a specific mission, potentially impacting cost-effectiveness compared to purely commercial sourcing.
Public Impact
Ensures a consistent supply of essential clothing for federal inmates. Supports the operational needs of the Federal Prison System. The award to a government-owned entity may have implications for market competition and pricing.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for limited market competition due to the nature of the awardee.
- Reliance on a single source for a critical supply chain item.
Positive Signals
- Fulfills a specific government requirement for inmate welfare.
- Utilizes a competed procurement vehicle (BPA Call).
Sector Analysis
The apparel manufacturing sector is highly competitive globally. However, within the federal prison system, the use of Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) often represents a specific policy choice, potentially limiting broader market engagement for these types of goods.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The award to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. suggests this contract was not intended for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance, delivery schedules, and quality of goods provided by Federal Prison Industries, Inc. to ensure compliance with the BPA terms.
Related Government Programs
- Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source potential (if competition was limited in practice)
- Supply chain vulnerability
- Price competitiveness concerns
- Limited innovation potential
Tags
apparel-accessories-and-other-apparel-ma, department-of-justice, tx, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $85,194 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC. FY26 INMATE CLOTHING BPA #15BFA025A00000039 POP: 10/01/25 - 09/30/26
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC.
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 $85,194.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the cost-effectiveness of using Federal Prison Industries, Inc. for inmate clothing compared to sourcing from the open market?
Assessing cost-effectiveness requires a detailed comparison of Federal Prison Industries' pricing against market rates for similar quality apparel, factoring in production costs, overhead, and any mandated pricing structures. While UNICOR aims to be cost-neutral or profitable, direct market comparisons are crucial to determine if taxpayers are receiving the best value.
What are the risks associated with relying on a single government-owned entity for a critical supply like inmate clothing?
Risks include potential supply chain disruptions if Federal Prison Industries faces production issues, limited flexibility in adapting to changing inmate needs or material innovations, and the possibility of higher costs if competition is artificially constrained. Dependence on one source can also reduce leverage in price negotiations.
How effectively does this BPA ensure the quality and timely delivery of inmate clothing to federal correctional facilities?
Effectiveness hinges on robust contract management and performance monitoring by the Department of Justice. Key metrics would include adherence to delivery schedules, compliance with material specifications, and inmate satisfaction with clothing quality. Regular audits and feedback mechanisms are essential to ensure these objectives are met.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: CLOTHING, INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT, INSIGNA, AND JEWELRY
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 15BFA025Q00000134
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Government of the United States
Address: 3301 LEESTOWN RD, LEXINGTON, KY, 40511
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $85,194
Exercised Options: $85,194
Current Obligation: $85,194
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15BFA025A00000039
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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