DOJ's $53.8K subsistence contract for Philadelphia prison awarded to The Smooth Sailing Group LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $53,763 ($53.8K)

Contractor: THE Smooth Sailing Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-06-26

Contract Duration: 86 days

Daily Burn Rate: $625/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 19

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FDC PHILADELPHIA FY26 3RD QTR SUBSISTENCE

Place of Performance

Location: PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19106

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $53,763.1 to THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC for work described as: FDC PHILADELPHIA FY26 3RD QTR SUBSISTENCE Key points: 1. Contract awarded via simplified acquisition procedures, suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 2. The contract duration of 86 days indicates a short-term need for subsistence supplies. 3. Awarded as a firm-fixed-price purchase order, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 4. The contractor, The Smooth Sailing Group LLC, is a new entity in federal contracting. 5. This award represents a small portion of the Bureau of Prisons' overall food service budget. 6. The contract is for perishable prepared food manufacturing, a critical component of inmate sustenance.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $53,763.10 for approximately three months of subsistence supplies appears reasonable for a federal correctional facility. Benchmarking against similar contracts for perishable prepared food manufacturing within the Bureau of Prisons is difficult without more granular data on quantity and specific food items. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of the award suggests that the contractor has priced in potential cost fluctuations, which is a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders compared to full and open competition. While the specific number of bids received is not provided, SAP is designed for procurements under the federal micro-purchase threshold, aiming for efficiency. The limited competition may result in less aggressive pricing than a broader solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can mean potentially higher prices than if a wider range of vendors were solicited. However, it also allows for quicker procurement of essential goods and services, which can be cost-effective in terms of administrative overhead.

Public Impact

Inmates at the Federal Prison System facility in Philadelphia will receive prepared subsistence meals. The contract ensures the continuous supply of food, a fundamental requirement for correctional operations. The services delivered directly impact the daily lives and well-being of the incarcerated population. The geographic impact is localized to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, serving the needs of a specific federal facility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Smooth Sailing Group LLC is a relatively new entity, raising questions about its track record and capacity to fulfill federal contracts of this nature.
Limited competition under SAP may not have yielded the most cost-effective solution for taxpayers.
The short duration of the contract suggests a potential for future re-competition, which could lead to administrative costs and potential service disruptions if not managed well.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price award shifts cost risk to the contractor, providing budget certainty for the government.
The contract is for perishable prepared food, a critical service that, when executed well, contributes to inmate welfare and facility stability.
The award was made under SAP, indicating an effort to streamline the procurement process for a relatively small dollar value.

Sector Analysis

The food services sector within federal prisons is a critical, albeit often overlooked, component of correctional facility operations. This contract falls under the broader category of food manufacturing and services, which is a substantial market. Federal agencies, particularly the Bureau of Prisons, are significant purchasers of food and related services to meet the needs of a large population. Benchmarking this specific award is challenging without more detail, but it represents a small, localized procurement within a vast federal food supply chain.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor is there an indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to The Smooth Sailing Group LLC, a potentially new entity, does not provide insight into its size or small business status. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Federal Prison System. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price purchase order, requiring the contractor to deliver specified goods. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance metrics are not publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Bureau of Prisons Subsistence Contracts
Department of Justice Procurement
Perishable Food Supply Contracts

Risk Flags

New Contractor Performance Risk
Limited Competition Pricing Concerns
Potential for Supply Chain Disruptions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $53,763.1 to THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC. FDC PHILADELPHIA FY26 3RD QTR SUBSISTENCE

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 $53,763.1.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-06-26.

What is the track record of The Smooth Sailing Group LLC in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for food services?

Based on the provided data, The Smooth Sailing Group LLC appears to be a new entrant into federal contracting. There is no readily available information indicating a prior track record or extensive history of fulfilling similar contracts with the federal government. Further investigation into the entity's registration and past performance databases would be necessary to ascertain its experience and capabilities. For a critical service like inmate subsistence, a lack of established performance history can represent a risk that needs careful monitoring and management by the contracting agency.

How does the pricing of this subsistence contract compare to similar procurements by the Bureau of Prisons?

Direct comparison of the pricing for this $53,763.10 subsistence contract is challenging without detailed specifications of the food items, quantities, and service levels. Federal Prison System contracts for subsistence can vary significantly based on the specific needs of each facility and the type of food provided (e.g., fresh, frozen, prepared). However, given that this is a firm-fixed-price award under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), the pricing is expected to be competitive within that limited scope. A broader analysis would require benchmarking against other SAP awards for similar food manufacturing services or against larger, full-and-open competition contracts if comparable data exists.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a subsistence contract to a new or less experienced vendor like The Smooth Sailing Group LLC?

Awarding a subsistence contract to a vendor with a limited or unknown track record, such as The Smooth Sailing Group LLC, introduces several potential risks. These include performance risk (failure to deliver quality or timely food supplies), financial stability risk (inability to sustain operations), and capacity risk (lack of resources or personnel to meet demand). For a critical service like inmate feeding, any disruption can have significant operational and morale consequences. The government mitigates these risks through contract clauses, performance monitoring, and potentially requiring performance bonds, but proactive oversight is crucial.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in ensuring value for money for subsistence contracts of this size?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for purchases below the federal micro-purchase threshold, aiming for efficiency and speed. For subsistence contracts of this approximate value ($53,763.10), SAP can be effective in reducing administrative burden and accelerating delivery. However, the 'value for money' aspect can be compromised if the limited competition inherent in SAP does not drive sufficiently competitive pricing. While efficient, SAP may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition, representing a trade-off between speed and potential cost savings for taxpayers.

What is the historical spending pattern for subsistence at the Federal Prison System facility in Philadelphia?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for subsistence at the specific Federal Prison System facility in Philadelphia. This contract, valued at $53,763.10 and spanning approximately three months (April 1, 2026, to June 26, 2026), represents a single, short-term procurement. To understand historical spending, one would need to analyze previous contracts for subsistence, food services, or food manufacturing awarded to this facility over multiple fiscal years. Such an analysis would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and contractor performance over time.

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: 15B21726Q00000003

Offers Received: 19

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: $53,763

Exercised Options: $53,763

Current Obligation: $53,763

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline