DOJ's $215K Kosher Meat Contract Awarded to Smooth Sailing Group LLC for FCI Fairton

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,574 ($21.6K)

Contractor: THE Smooth Sailing Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 29 days

Daily Burn Rate: $744/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 32

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FCI FAIRTON 3RD QUARTER FY26 SUBSISTENCE. SUBSISTENCE/FROZEN/KOSHER/MEAT.

Place of Performance

Location: BENTON, SALINE County, ARKANSAS, 72018

State: Arkansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $21,574 to THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC for work described as: FCI FAIRTON 3RD QUARTER FY26 SUBSISTENCE. SUBSISTENCE/FROZEN/KOSHER/MEAT. Key points: 1. The contract is for perishable prepared food manufacturing, specifically frozen kosher meat. 2. Awarded to The Smooth Sailing Group LLC, a single vendor. 3. The contract duration is 29 days within the 3rd quarter of FY26. 4. This is a firm-fixed-price purchase order. 5. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $215,740 for a one-month supply of specialized food items appears reasonable given the niche requirements (kosher, frozen meat). Benchmarking against similar specialized food service contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting a streamlined process for smaller dollar value procurements. While competed, the limited scope and duration may have restricted the number of potential bidders, impacting the full extent of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential food services within a federal correctional facility, ensuring dietary needs are met.

Public Impact

Ensures dietary needs of inmates requiring kosher meat are met. Supports a specific niche market within the food supply chain. Potential for price fluctuations if competition is consistently limited for such specialized items.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 74 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to specialized nature of goods.
Short contract duration may lead to frequent re-procurement.

Positive Signals

Met a specific dietary requirement for inmates.
Utilized SAP for efficient procurement.

Sector Analysis

The Federal Prison System's procurement of subsistence items falls under the broader category of government services and supplies. Spending benchmarks for food services vary widely based on facility size and specific dietary needs, but this award represents a small portion of overall correctional facility operating costs.

Small Business Impact

Analysis of small business participation is not directly available from the provided data. The contract was competed under SAP, which can sometimes favor small businesses, but the specific awardee's size is not indicated.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Justice, through the Bureau of Prisons, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms are expected to be in place to ensure compliance and proper use of funds.

Related Government Programs

Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing
Department of Justice Contracting
Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited vendor pool due to specialization.
Short contract duration may lead to frequent re-competition.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical supplies.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown for per-unit analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $21,574 to THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC. FCI FAIRTON 3RD QUARTER FY26 SUBSISTENCE. SUBSISTENCE/FROZEN/KOSHER/MEAT.

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 $21,574.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the typical cost per inmate for specialized dietary items like kosher meat, and how does this contract compare?

Determining the precise per-inmate cost for specialized dietary items like kosher meat requires detailed inmate population data and consumption rates, which are not provided. However, the total award of $215,740 for a 29-day period suggests a significant per-diem cost for this specific food group, likely higher than standard rations due to the specialized preparation and sourcing involved.

What are the risks associated with relying on a single vendor for specialized food items, especially for a correctional facility?

Relying on a single vendor for specialized food items like kosher meat presents risks of supply chain disruption, price gouging, and potential quality control issues. A correctional facility has critical needs, and any interruption in supply could impact inmate welfare and facility operations. Contingency planning and regular vendor performance reviews are crucial.

How effective is the SAP competition method in ensuring fair pricing for niche food products like kosher meat?

The effectiveness of SAP competition for niche products like kosher meat is variable. While SAP aims for efficiency, its simplified nature might limit the pool of qualified bidders compared to full and open competition. For highly specialized items, the number of capable vendors may inherently be small, making the 'competition' aspect less about driving down price and more about securing a qualified supplier.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Food Manufacturing › Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15B20426Q00000002

Offers Received: 32

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: $21,574

Exercised Options: $21,574

Current Obligation: $21,574

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline