DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $46,931 contract for subsistence to Smooth Sailing Group LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,931 ($46.9K)

Contractor: THE Smooth Sailing Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-01-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 89 days

Daily Burn Rate: $527/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 24

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FCI SCHUYLKILL FY26 2ND QUARTER SUBSISTENCE - SMOOTH SAILING

Place of Performance

Location: BENTON, SALINE County, ARKANSAS, 72018

State: Arkansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $46,931.37 to THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC for work described as: FCI SCHUYLKILL FY26 2ND QUARTER SUBSISTENCE - SMOOTH SAILING Key points: 1. The contract is for subsistence supplies, a recurring need for federal correctional facilities. 2. The awardee, The Smooth Sailing Group LLC, is a small business. 3. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The contract duration is 89 days, covering the second quarter of FY26.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $46,931.37 for a 3-month period appears reasonable for subsistence supplies. Benchmarking against similar food manufacturing contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP, which typically involves a limited number of offers. While competed, the specific competition method and the number of bids received are not detailed, potentially limiting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The relatively small contract value suggests a minimal direct impact on taxpayers, though efficient procurement practices are always beneficial.

Public Impact

Ensures the provision of essential food supplies to inmates at FCI Schuylkill. Supports a small business contractor, contributing to economic activity. The procurement process, while limited, aims to meet a critical operational need. The fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the Bureau of Prisons.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 100 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not guarantee the best price.
Lack of detailed competition data hinders full assessment of price reasonableness.
Reliance on a single vendor for subsistence for a quarter could pose supply chain risk if issues arise.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a small business.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Meets a critical operational need for the facility.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' category. Spending in this sector for federal agencies is generally consistent, driven by the need for food supplies in various institutions like prisons, military bases, and hospitals.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, The Smooth Sailing Group LLC, is a small business. This award aligns with federal goals to support small business participation in government contracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded via Purchase Order under SAP. Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance, delivery schedules, and product quality to ensure compliance with terms and conditions.

Related Government Programs

All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing
Department of Justice Contracting
Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential supply chain risk
Lack of detailed competition data
Small business capacity concerns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $46,931.37 to THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC. FCI SCHUYLKILL FY26 2ND QUARTER SUBSISTENCE - SMOOTH SAILING

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 $46,931.37.

What is the period of performance?

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

What was the specific competition process under SAP, and how many offers were received to ensure fair pricing?

The data indicates the contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP'. Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed for purchases up to $250,000 and allow for more streamlined competition. However, the exact number of offers received and the specific solicitation method (e.g., RFQ, online posting) are not provided. Further details would be needed to confirm the extent of price discovery and ensure the government received the best value.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single small business for a critical supply like subsistence for a 3-month period?

Relying on a single vendor, even a small business, for essential subsistence supplies carries inherent risks. These include potential supply chain disruptions due to the vendor's capacity limitations, unforeseen quality control issues, or financial instability of the small business. The government should have contingency plans in place, such as identifying alternative suppliers or having emergency stock, to mitigate these risks.

How does the firm fixed price structure impact the government's ability to manage costs and ensure quality for these subsistence supplies?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract shifts the cost risk to the contractor, meaning the price remains constant regardless of the contractor's actual costs. This provides budget certainty for the government. However, it also means the government has less leverage to negotiate price reductions if costs decrease. Quality assurance remains critical, as the contractor is incentivized to control costs, which could potentially impact quality if not properly monitored.

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: 855 CENTRAL AVE UNIT 1202, SAINT PETERSBURG, FL, 33701

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,931

Exercised Options: $46,931

Current Obligation: $46,931

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline