DOJ awards $48.5K for subsistence, with 27 bids received, indicating strong competition for food manufacturing services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $48,504 ($48.5K)

Contractor: THE Smooth Sailing Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $539/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 27

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FCI MCKEAN 3RD QTR FY26 SUBSISTENCE AWARD DELIVERIES EXPECTED TO BEGIN APRIL 1, 2026 ENDING APRIL 24, 2026

Place of Performance

Location: LEWIS RUN, MCKEAN County, PENNSYLVANIA, 16738

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $48,504.46 to THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC for work described as: FCI MCKEAN 3RD QTR FY26 SUBSISTENCE AWARD DELIVERIES EXPECTED TO BEGIN APRIL 1, 2026 ENDING APRIL 24, 2026 Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused need for specific subsistence items. 2. Strong competition with 27 bidders points to a healthy market for these food manufacturing services. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure transfers risk to the contractor, ensuring cost certainty for the government. 4. This award falls under the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' NAICS code, indicating specialized product requirements. 5. The short duration of the contract (90 days) suggests a temporary or specific operational need. 6. The award to The Smooth Sailing Group LLC is a single instance, requiring further analysis for contractor performance trends.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $48,504.46 for a 90-day period appears reasonable given the specialized nature of miscellaneous food manufacturing. Benchmarking against similar small-dollar subsistence contracts within the Federal Prison System would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price award suggests that the pricing is set and unlikely to fluctuate significantly, which is beneficial for budget predictability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), with 27 bids received. This high number of bidders for a relatively small contract indicates robust competition within the market for these specific food manufacturing services. The extensive competition likely drove down prices and ensured the government received competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition means taxpayer dollars were likely used efficiently, as multiple vendors vied to offer the best price and terms for the Federal Prison System.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will benefit from the provision of necessary subsistence items. The services delivered will ensure the continuity of food supply for correctional facilities. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas served by the Federal Prison System facilities receiving these subsistence items. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving the contractor's internal production and delivery staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions impacting delivery timelines.
Ensuring consistent quality and nutritional standards for inmate consumption.
Dependence on a single awardee for a critical, albeit short-term, need.

Positive Signals

High level of competition suggests a reliable vendor pool.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Award to a specific vendor indicates successful vetting through the procurement process.

Sector Analysis

The food manufacturing sector is diverse, encompassing everything from large-scale processing to specialized niche products. This contract falls under 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing,' suggesting a requirement for items not easily categorized, potentially including specialized dietary needs or unique food preparations for institutional settings. The federal government is a significant consumer of food products, with agencies like the Department of Justice (specifically the Bureau of Prisons) having ongoing needs for subsistence supplies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for similar specialized food items awarded to correctional facilities or other government institutions.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which often favors small businesses. However, the data does not explicitly state if this was a small business set-aside. The presence of 27 bidders suggests that small businesses may have participated and potentially won. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation and subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order will primarily be managed by the Federal Prison System's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified goods. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, allowing for post-award review.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Department of Justice Commissary Operations
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contracts (if applicable)
Department of Defense (DoD) Food Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain issues
Quality control of food products
Contractor performance history (unknown)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $48,504.46 to THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC. FCI MCKEAN 3RD QTR FY26 SUBSISTENCE AWARD DELIVERIES EXPECTED TO BEGIN APRIL 1, 2026 ENDING APRIL 24, 2026

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 $48,504.46.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the typical track record of The Smooth Sailing Group LLC with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Justice or Bureau of Prisons?

A review of federal procurement databases would be necessary to ascertain The Smooth Sailing Group LLC's past performance. Information regarding previous awards, contract values, and performance reviews (if available) would indicate their reliability and experience. Specifically, examining their history with the Bureau of Prisons would highlight their familiarity with the agency's unique requirements and operational environment. Without this specific data, it's difficult to assess their track record beyond this single award. Consistent positive performance on prior contracts would be a strong indicator of future success, while a history of issues could raise concerns.

How does the price per unit for these subsistence items compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?

To benchmark the price per unit, detailed information on the specific subsistence items being procured would be required. This would allow for comparison against commercial market prices for similar food products and against prices paid by other federal agencies for comparable items. Given the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' NAICS code, the items may be specialized, making direct comparisons challenging. However, analyzing the total award value ($48,504.46) against the expected quantity or type of subsistence items over the 90-day period would provide an average cost. A higher-than-average cost, even with strong competition, could indicate potential inefficiencies or a lack of truly competitive pricing for these specific goods.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential supply chain disruptions affecting timely delivery, quality control issues to ensure inmate safety and nutritional standards, and the contractor's financial stability. Given the firm-fixed-price structure, the primary risk transfer is to the contractor regarding cost overruns. Mitigation strategies typically involve clear contract terms, performance monitoring by the contracting officer, and potentially requiring performance bonds for larger contracts. For this specific award, the short duration and relatively small value may mitigate some risks, but the Bureau of Prisons would still need to monitor delivery schedules and product quality closely.

How effective is the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' category in capturing the specific needs of the Federal Prison System?

The effectiveness of the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' NAICS code depends on whether it accurately reflects the specialized nature of the subsistence items required. If the items are truly unique or fall outside standard food categories, this code might be appropriate. However, if it's used as a catch-all for items that could be more specifically classified, it might hinder precise market analysis and competition. For the Federal Prison System, ensuring that the chosen NAICS code accurately describes the procurement need is crucial for attracting the right vendors and obtaining competitive pricing for essential inmate sustenance.

What is the historical spending pattern for subsistence items within the Federal Prison System, and how does this award fit into that pattern?

Analyzing historical spending for subsistence items by the Federal Prison System would reveal trends in contract values, types of vendors used, and competition levels over time. This $48,504.46 award for a 90-day period appears to be a relatively small, specific procurement. If the Bureau of Prisons typically awards larger, longer-term contracts for general subsistence, this award might represent a specialized need or a gap-filling measure. Understanding the historical context helps determine if this award is an anomaly, part of a recurring specialized need, or indicative of a shift in procurement strategy.

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: 15B20926Q00000008

Offers Received: 27

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: $48,504

Exercised Options: $48,504

Current Obligation: $48,504

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline