DOJ awards $297K for trash bags, raising questions about value and competition for essential supplies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,665 ($29.7K)

Contractor: Envision Industries, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 175 days

Daily Burn Rate: $170/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRASH BAGS FOR FCC COLEMAN COMPLEX

Place of Performance

Location: WICHITA, SEDGWICK County, KANSAS, 67213

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $29,665.28 to ENVISION INDUSTRIES, INC. for work described as: TRASH BAGS FOR FCC COLEMAN COMPLEX Key points: 1. The contract for trash bags appears to be for essential operational needs, but the value proposition requires scrutiny. 2. Competition dynamics for this purchase order were limited, suggesting potential for higher pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low given the nature of the product, but oversight of spending is still important. 4. Performance context is minimal, as this is a straightforward supply contract. 5. The contract falls within the manufacturing sector, specifically for plastic bag production. 6. The price point for these essential supplies warrants comparison to similar government and commercial purchases.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award of $296,652.80 for trash bags to Envision Industries, Inc. for a 5-month period seems high for such a commodity. While the exact quantity is not specified, the duration and total cost suggest a potentially inflated per-unit price or an overestimation of need. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for janitorial supplies or commercial bulk purchases of trash bags would be necessary to definitively assess value for money. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract offers cost certainty but does not inherently guarantee a competitive price.

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 SAP is intended for smaller purchases, the total value here might warrant a broader competition to ensure the best pricing. The limited competition suggests that the government may not have received the most advantageous pricing possible, as fewer vendors were likely involved in the bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the limited competition, as the government did not leverage the full market to drive down costs for these essential supplies.

Public Impact

Federal inmates and staff at the Coleman Complex in Kansas will benefit from the availability of essential sanitation supplies. The contract ensures the continuous supply of trash bags, crucial for maintaining hygiene and operational efficiency within the correctional facility. The geographic impact is localized to Kansas, where the Department of Justice facility is located. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a supply contract rather than a service requiring significant labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for overpayment due to limited competition under SAP.
Lack of detailed quantity or specification makes per-unit cost assessment difficult.
Firm fixed-price contract does not guarantee competitive pricing if competition is weak.

Positive Signals

Ensures availability of critical sanitation supplies for a federal facility.
Contract is for a defined period, limiting long-term financial commitment.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the awarded amount.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader manufacturing sector, specifically the 'Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing' industry (NAICS 326111). This industry produces various plastic bags for commercial, industrial, and household use. Government spending on such basic commodities is consistent across many agencies for operational needs. Benchmarking this specific award against the overall market size for industrial trash bags or similar government contracts would provide further context on its relative scale and pricing.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there an indication of significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. Envision Industries, Inc. is the prime contractor. Analysis of the contractor's size status would be needed to determine if this represented a missed opportunity for small business participation. Without specific set-aside requirements, the impact on the small business ecosystem is likely negligible unless Envision Industries itself is a small business and utilizes small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement and financial management controls. The Bureau of Prisons, as the specific agency, would be responsible for ensuring the goods are delivered as specified and that payments are processed correctly. Transparency is limited as this was competed under SAP, and detailed solicitations and award justifications are not always publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Supplies
Department of Justice Janitorial Contracts
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Purchases
Correctional Facility Operational Supplies

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potentially High Unit Cost
Lack of Detailed Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $29,665.28 to ENVISION INDUSTRIES, INC.. TRASH BAGS FOR FCC COLEMAN COMPLEX

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENVISION INDUSTRIES, INC..

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 $29,665.28.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific quantity of trash bags being procured under this contract, and how was this quantity determined?

The provided data does not specify the exact quantity of trash bags being procured. The total award amount of $296,652.80 is for the period between April 8, 2026, and September 30, 2026. Without the quantity, it is impossible to accurately benchmark the per-unit cost against market rates or similar government contracts. The determination of the quantity likely involved an estimation of the facility's needs for the contract duration, potentially based on historical consumption data or projected usage. However, the lack of this crucial detail hinders a thorough value-for-money assessment.

How does the per-unit cost of these trash bags compare to other federal contracts for similar items?

A direct per-unit cost comparison is not feasible with the current data, as the quantity of trash bags is not specified. However, the total award of $296,652.80 over approximately five months for a correctional facility suggests a significant volume. To perform a meaningful comparison, one would need to identify the specific type and size of trash bags, the total number of units purchased, and then compare this calculated per-unit cost against prices listed on GSA Schedules for janitorial supplies, or against recent award data for similar items procured by other federal agencies. Given the limited competition, it is plausible that the per-unit cost may be higher than if the contract had been competed more broadly.

What is Envision Industries, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly for janitorial or supply-related items?

Information regarding Envision Industries, Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts for janitorial or supply-related items is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to review their past performance, contract types, award values, and any reported issues or successes. Understanding their history with similar products and agencies would help assess their reliability and pricing competitiveness. Without this historical context, it's difficult to gauge their suitability beyond the current award.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for a commodity like trash bags?

The primary risk with a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract for a commodity like trash bags is that it may not reflect the best possible price if the competition was insufficient. While FFP provides cost certainty for the government, it relies heavily on accurate initial pricing and competitive bidding. If the bidding process was limited, as suggested by the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation, Envision Industries, Inc. might have been able to command a higher price than would have been achievable in a more robustly competed environment. The risk is essentially that the government pays more than necessary for the goods, even though the total cost is fixed.

How does spending on trash bags for correctional facilities compare to other operational expenses within the Bureau of Prisons?

The provided data focuses solely on this specific contract for trash bags and does not offer insights into the Bureau of Prisons' overall budget or spending patterns. To compare this $296,652.80 expenditure against other operational expenses, one would need access to the Bureau of Prisons' annual budget reports, financial statements, or detailed spending breakdowns. Such analysis would reveal the proportion of the budget allocated to sanitation supplies relative to other costs like staffing, food services, healthcare, or infrastructure maintenance. Without this broader financial context, it's challenging to assess the relative significance of this particular spending.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Plastics Product Manufacturing › Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CONTAINERS/PACKAGING/PACKING SUPPL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2301 S WATER ST, WICHITA, KS, 67213

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,665

Exercised Options: $29,665

Current Obligation: $29,665

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline