DOJ awards $28K for ground beef, raising questions about value and competition for food manufacturing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,250 ($28.3K)

Contractor: Mullen Marketing LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-01-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 89 days

Daily Burn Rate: $317/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 24

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 2ND QTR GROUND BEEF MULLEN MARKETING - FCI SCHUYLKILL

Place of Performance

Location: DICKSON, DICKSON County, TENNESSEE, 37055

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $28,250.04 to MULLEN MARKETING LLC for work described as: 2ND QTR GROUND BEEF MULLEN MARKETING - FCI SCHUYLKILL Key points: 1. The contract value appears low, suggesting a focus on a specific, potentially niche, food product. 2. Competition dynamics are unclear given the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation, which may limit broad market engagement. 3. The short duration (89 days) indicates a tactical or short-term need rather than a strategic, long-term supply agreement. 4. The specific product 'GROUND BEEF' points to a need within correctional facilities or similar institutions. 5. The award to a single vendor, MULLEN MARKETING LLC, warrants scrutiny regarding price reasonableness. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests this was not specifically targeted for small business participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the quantity and quality of ground beef required. However, the relatively small award amount of $28,250.04 for a 3-month period suggests a limited scope. Comparing it to larger food service contracts, this appears to be a micro-purchase or a very specific item procurement. The pricing would need to be evaluated against market rates for bulk ground beef, considering any specific preparation or packaging requirements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves fewer bidders and less formal solicitation than full and open competition. While this can expedite procurement for smaller dollar amounts, it may not always yield the most competitive pricing or the widest range of potential suppliers. The number of bidders is not specified, making it difficult to assess the true level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competing under SAP can mean faster delivery of goods and services but potentially at a slightly higher cost compared to a fully competed large-scale contract. The limited competition might mean less downward pressure on prices.

Public Impact

Inmates within Federal Prison System facilities managed by the Bureau of Prisons are the primary beneficiaries, receiving food services. The contract delivers essential food supplies, specifically ground beef, contributing to the daily nutritional needs of the incarcerated population. The geographic impact is localized to the facilities served by FCI Schuylkill, where the contract is managed. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving logistics and distribution personnel rather than direct service providers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency on the number of bidders under SAP limits assessment of true price competition.
The specific nature of 'GROUND BEEF' could indicate a specialized product or supplier, potentially reducing competition.
Short contract duration may lead to less favorable pricing than longer-term, more predictable supply agreements.

Positive Signals

Procurement was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, suggesting an effort to streamline the process for a relatively small dollar amount.
The contract specifies a Firm Fixed Price, which provides cost certainty for the government.
The award is to a single vendor, implying a potentially efficient and direct fulfillment of a specific need.

Sector Analysis

The food manufacturing and distribution sector is vast, encompassing everything from raw ingredient sourcing to processed food production. This contract falls under the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' NAICS code, suggesting a specialized or niche product rather than a commodity. Federal spending in this area often supports institutional needs like prisons, military bases, and government cafeterias. Comparable benchmarks would involve analyzing other food supply contracts for correctional facilities or similar government entities.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements. This suggests that the procurement was open to all eligible vendors, and the primary contractor, MULLEN MARKETING LLC, is likely responsible for fulfilling the entire requirement. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral, as it was not specifically designed to support them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements, but the award details are publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Bureau of Prisons Commissary Operations
Department of Justice Food Procurement
Correctional Facility Food Supply Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to SAP
Lack of detailed product specifications
Unknown vendor performance history

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $28,250.04 to MULLEN MARKETING LLC. 2ND QTR GROUND BEEF MULLEN MARKETING - FCI SCHUYLKILL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MULLEN MARKETING 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 $28,250.04.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the specific type and quality of ground beef being procured, and how does this influence the price?

The provided data does not specify the exact type (e.g., lean percentage, cut) or quality standards for the ground beef. This information is crucial for a thorough price analysis. Different lean-to-fat ratios and quality grades (e.g., USDA Select, Choice) can significantly impact per-pound costs. Without these details, it's impossible to definitively benchmark the value against market prices. For instance, a higher lean percentage or premium quality would command a higher price. The contract's classification under 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' might imply a processed or specially prepared form of ground beef, further complicating direct comparisons to raw bulk commodity pricing.

How many bids were received for this contract, and what does this imply about the competition?

The data indicates the contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), but it does not specify the number of bids received. SAP is designed for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold (typically $250,000), allowing for more streamlined processes, which can sometimes involve fewer than three bids. A low number of bids, if that were the case here, could suggest limited market interest or fewer capable suppliers for this specific requirement. This could potentially lead to less competitive pricing than if the contract had been fully and openly competed with a larger pool of bidders, potentially resulting in higher costs for the government.

What is the historical spending pattern for ground beef or similar food items by the Federal Prison System?

Historical spending data for ground beef or similar food items by the Federal Prison System (FPS) is not provided in the current dataset. To assess this contract's value and necessity, a review of past FPS procurements for ground beef would be beneficial. Analyzing trends in quantity, price per unit, and vendor performance over previous contract periods could reveal whether this $28,250.04 award for an 89-day period is consistent, higher, or lower than historical norms. Understanding past spending patterns can help identify potential cost savings opportunities or highlight any deviations that warrant further investigation into the current contract's terms and pricing.

What is the track record of Mullen Marketing LLC in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for food products?

The provided data does not include information on the track record of Mullen Marketing LLC. A comprehensive assessment would require accessing federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to review their past performance on federal contracts. Key factors to examine would include the types of goods or services previously provided, contract values, on-time delivery rates, any instances of contract termination or disputes, and overall performance ratings. Understanding their history, especially with food products or similar items, is crucial for evaluating the reliability and potential risks associated with awarding them this current contract.

Does the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' NAICS code suggest a specialized product that might justify limited competition?

Yes, the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' (NAICS code 311999) designation can indicate a specialized product or process that might naturally lead to a more limited pool of qualified suppliers compared to commodity food items. This category encompasses a wide range of food manufacturing activities not elsewhere classified, potentially including custom food preparation, specific ingredient processing, or unique product formulations. If Mullen Marketing LLC is providing a highly specialized ground beef product (e.g., specific blend, pre-portioned for institutional use, unique packaging), it could explain why competition might be less robust. However, the government still has a responsibility to ensure adequate price competition within the available market, even for specialized items.

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: RFQP02132600005

Offers Received: 24

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 806 W 5TH ST, DICKSON, TN, 37055

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,250

Exercised Options: $28,250

Current Obligation: $28,250

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline