DOJ awards $58.6K for feminine hygiene products to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. for FCI Estill reactivation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $58,639 ($58.6K)
Contractor: Federal Prison Industries, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2025-10-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $161/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FY26 FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS (UNICOR) FOR FCI ESTILL REACTIVATION
Place of Performance
Location: ESTILL, HAMPTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29918
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $58,638.5 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC for work described as: FY26 FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS (UNICOR) FOR FCI ESTILL REACTIVATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a government-owned entity, raising questions about market competition and potential cost efficiencies. 2. Limited competition due to the awardee's unique status may impact price discovery and value for money. 3. The contract's duration of one year with a firm-fixed-price structure suggests predictable costs for this specific need. 4. Performance context is tied to the reactivation of a federal correctional institution, indicating a specific operational requirement. 5. Sector positioning is within the manufacturing of sanitary paper products, a niche but essential government supply chain component.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the awardee being Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR), a government-owned entity. Direct comparisons to commercial market pricing for feminine hygiene products are difficult as UNICOR operates under different cost structures and mandates. The firm-fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the absence of competitive bidding prevents an assessment of whether this represents the best possible price achievable in a competitive market.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded under the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' category, indicating it was not competed through standard competitive procedures. As Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR) is the sole provider of goods manufactured by federal prisoners, this award functions as a sole-source procurement. The lack of competition means there were no other bidders, and price discovery is limited to UNICOR's internal pricing mechanisms.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are not benefiting from competitive pricing that could potentially lower costs. The government is utilizing an internal resource, which may have different cost implications than sourcing from the open market.
Public Impact
Inmates within the Federal Prison System will be the direct beneficiaries of the feminine hygiene products supplied. The services delivered are the provision of essential sanitary products, crucial for maintaining health and dignity. The geographic impact is localized to FCI Estill in South Carolina, where the reactivation is taking place. Workforce implications are indirect, relating to the employment of federal inmates in the manufacturing process through UNICOR.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding limits price transparency and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
- Reliance on a single government-owned entity may stifle innovation and efficiency gains found in competitive markets.
- The specific nature of the awardee (UNICOR) means standard market benchmarks for value-for-money are not directly applicable.
Positive Signals
- Ensures a consistent supply of essential products for a specific federal facility's needs.
- Supports the UNICOR program's mission of providing meaningful work for federal inmates.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the specified period.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the broader 'Other' sector, specifically related to the manufacturing and supply of sanitary paper products. This is a niche area within government procurement, often fulfilled through specialized contracts. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of UNICOR's role. However, the overall market for feminine hygiene products is substantial, with significant commercial players.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. The award is made directly to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR), which operates as a government entity rather than a typical small business contractor. Therefore, there is no direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) within the Department of Justice, as they are the end-user agency. Accountability measures are inherent in the government-to-government nature of the transaction. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source award and the internal operational structure of UNICOR. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to potential fraud, waste, or abuse within the procurement process or product delivery.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR) Contracts
- Bureau of Prisons Supplies and Services
- Correctional Facility Operations Support
- Sanitary Product Procurement
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competitive pricing benchmark
- Potential for higher costs due to non-competitive award
Tags
justice, bureau-of-prisons, south-carolina, not-competed, small-value, sole-source, firm-fixed-price, unicor, feminine-hygiene-products, correctional-facility, sanitary-paper-product-manufacturing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $58,638.5 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC. FY26 FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS (UNICOR) FOR FCI ESTILL REACTIVATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FEDERAL PRISON 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 $58,638.5.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the historical spending pattern for feminine hygiene products at FCI Estill or similar federal correctional facilities?
Historical spending data for feminine hygiene products specifically at FCI Estill or comparable federal correctional facilities is not readily available in the public domain. Such expenditures are typically embedded within broader operational budgets for inmate welfare and facility maintenance. Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR) is mandated to supply products manufactured by federal prisoners, suggesting that their pricing and award mechanisms are distinct from typical commercial procurement. Without access to internal BOP or UNICOR financial records, a precise historical spending pattern cannot be determined. However, the current award of approximately $58.6K for a one-year period provides a recent data point for this specific facility's reactivation phase.
How does the pricing of UNICOR products compare to commercial market rates for similar feminine hygiene items?
Directly comparing UNICOR's pricing to commercial market rates for feminine hygiene products is challenging due to UNICOR's unique operational model. As a government-owned entity utilizing inmate labor, its cost structure differs significantly from private sector manufacturers who face market wages, competitive pressures, and profit motives. UNICOR's mandate is to provide employment and vocational training for federal inmates, with proceeds intended to cover operational costs and contribute to inmate welfare funds, rather than maximize profit. While the firm-fixed-price contract offers budget certainty, it does not inherently guarantee the lowest possible price achievable in a fully competitive commercial market. Publicly available data does not typically include detailed cost breakdowns that would allow for a precise price-to-performance ratio against commercial alternatives.
What are the specific performance standards or quality requirements for these feminine hygiene products?
The contract specifies 'FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS' and is awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating adherence to pre-established terms and conditions within the BPA. While the specific performance standards and quality requirements are not detailed in the provided data snippet, they are typically outlined in the full BPA documentation and the individual call order. These standards would likely align with general industry expectations for such products, ensuring safety, efficacy, and suitability for the intended user population within a correctional environment. The 'Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing' Nationalالدليل (NAICS code 322291) suggests the products are manufactured according to relevant industry standards for paper-based sanitary goods.
What is the track record of Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR) in supplying similar products to federal facilities?
Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR) has a long-standing track record of supplying various goods and services to federal agencies, including correctional facilities. Its mission is to provide employment and job skills training to federal inmates. UNICOR manufactures and markets a range of products, including textiles, electronics, office furniture, and industrial products. While specific performance metrics or customer satisfaction ratings for individual product lines like feminine hygiene products are not widely publicized, UNICOR operates under the oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The agency's continued operation and awards suggest a baseline level of capability and compliance, though specific contract performance can vary.
Are there any identified risks associated with this sole-source award to UNICOR?
The primary risk associated with this sole-source award to UNICOR is the potential lack of cost-effectiveness compared to competitive market sourcing. Without competition, there is less pressure on UNICOR to offer the lowest possible price, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers. Another risk could be related to product availability or lead times if UNICOR's production capacity is constrained. Furthermore, the unique nature of UNICOR's operations, which involves inmate labor, may introduce complexities in quality control or supply chain reliability compared to established commercial manufacturers with robust quality assurance systems. However, the firm-fixed-price structure mitigates budget uncertainty.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Converted Paper Product Manufacturing › Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: TOILETRIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 15BNAS25Q00000041
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Government of the United States
Address: 3301 LEESTOWN RD, LEXINGTON, KY, 40511
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $58,639
Exercised Options: $58,639
Current Obligation: $58,639
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15BNAS25A00000158
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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