DOJ's $21.8M Contract for Food Manufacturing Services Awarded to North Star Imports, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,840 ($21.8K)
Contractor: North Star Imports, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-02
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 89 days
Daily Burn Rate: $245/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 28
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: A1 FY26 QTR3-NORTH STAR IMPORTS-SUBSISTENCE SMALL BUSINESS RP#
Place of Performance
Location: SAINT PAUL, DAKOTA County, MINNESOTA, 55122
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $21,840 to NORTH STAR IMPORTS, LLC for work described as: A1 FY26 QTR3-NORTH STAR IMPORTS-SUBSISTENCE SMALL BUSINESS RP# Key points: 1. The contract is for subsistence food manufacturing, a critical need for the Federal Prison System. 2. Competition was conducted under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the specific value and duration warrant scrutiny. 4. The sector is 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing', a niche but essential area for institutional support.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $21.84 million over approximately 3 months (89 days) appears high for a fixed-price purchase order under SAP. Benchmarking against similar food manufacturing contracts for correctional facilities would be necessary to assess true value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', indicating a limited competition approach. While SAP aims for efficiency, it may not always yield the best price discovery compared to full and open competition, especially for significant dollar amounts.
Taxpayer Impact: The pricing appears fair given the limited competition, but the potential for better pricing through broader competition cannot be ruled out. Taxpayer funds are being utilized for essential services.
Public Impact
Ensures the provision of essential food supplies to federal correctional facilities. Supports the operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons. The contract's duration and value could impact the availability and cost of specific food products. Potential for price fluctuations if market conditions change during the contract period.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition under SAP for a substantial dollar amount.
- Fixed-price contract with a short duration may not fully account for market volatility.
- Lack of specific performance metrics or quality assurance details provided.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical operational need for the Federal Prison System.
- Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Awarded to a single vendor, streamlining the procurement process.
Sector Analysis
The 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' sector supports essential government functions, particularly in institutional settings like prisons. Spending benchmarks for this niche are difficult to establish without more specific product details, but consistency in supply is key.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under SAP, which often favors small businesses. However, the data indicates the awardee is 'NORTH STAR IMPORTS, LLC', and it is not explicitly marked as a small business award. Further investigation into the size standard for this NAICS code is needed.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure North Star Imports, LLC meets the contract's requirements and delivers quality subsistence products within the specified timeframe. The Bureau of Prisons should monitor performance closely, especially given the fixed-price nature.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for overpricing due to limited competition.
- Risk of quality issues if performance is not closely monitored.
- Short contract duration may not be cost-effective for long-term needs.
- Lack of detailed product specifications hinders value assessment.
Tags
all-other-miscellaneous-food-manufacturi, department-of-justice, mn, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $21,840 to NORTH STAR IMPORTS, LLC. A1 FY26 QTR3-NORTH STAR IMPORTS-SUBSISTENCE SMALL BUSINESS RP#
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NORTH STAR IMPORTS, 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 $21,840.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the specific breakdown of food products included in this contract, and how does the unit pricing compare to market averages for similar items?
The provided data lacks specific details on the food products covered. A thorough analysis would require a detailed product list and comparison of unit prices against industry benchmarks for institutional food supply. This would reveal if the $21.84 million represents a fair market value or if there's potential for cost savings through better negotiation or broader competition.
Given the limited competition under SAP, what measures are in place to mitigate the risk of inflated pricing or suboptimal product quality?
The primary risk mitigation is the firm fixed-price contract, which shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. However, without detailed performance metrics or quality assurance clauses specified, the government relies heavily on the contractor's self-monitoring. The Bureau of Prisons should implement robust receiving inspections and performance reviews to ensure quality and value.
How effectively does this contract support the long-term nutritional and operational needs of the Federal Prison System, considering its short duration?
This contract appears to address immediate subsistence needs for a specific period (April-June 2026). Its effectiveness for long-term needs is limited due to the short duration. Future contracting strategies should consider longer-term agreements or multiple awards to ensure sustained supply chain stability and potentially better pricing through economies of scale.
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
Offers Received: 28
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: North Star Imports LLC
Address: 3459 WASHINGTON DR STE 201, SAINT PAUL, MN, 55122
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,840
Exercised Options: $21,840
Current Obligation: $21,840
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-02
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
More Contracts from North Star Imports, LLC
- FY26 A1 - Quarterly BID Request QTR 3 Solicitation: 15B41926Q00000002 — $114.1K (Department of Justice)
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- FY26 A1 Northstar Meat(3-19-26) QTR 3 — $87.2K (Department of Justice)
- A-1 3RD QTR FY26 North Star — $85.4K (Department of Justice)
- FCI Schuylkill FY26 3RD QTR North Star Imports Meat Items — $77.4K (Department of Justice)
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