DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $31.6K for meat items to North Star Imports, LLC under competitive SAP
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $31,564 ($31.6K)
Contractor: North Star Imports, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-01
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 90 days
Daily Burn Rate: $351/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 14
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FCI TALLADEGA 3RD QTR 281 FY 2026 MEAT ITEMS
Place of Performance
Location: SAINT PAUL, DAKOTA County, MINNESOTA, 55122
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $31,563.5 to NORTH STAR IMPORTS, LLC for work described as: FCI TALLADEGA 3RD QTR 281 FY 2026 MEAT ITEMS Key points: 1. Spending is for a 90-day period in Q3 FY2026. 2. Contract awarded to North Star Imports, LLC. 3. Procurement method was 'Competed under SAP'. 4. The contract is for 'Meat Items' with PSC code not specified. 5. Total obligation is $31,563.50.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The obligation amount of $31,563.50 for 90 days of meat items appears reasonable for a small quantity. Benchmarking against similar food item contracts would provide more context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting an expectation of limited competition due to the relatively low dollar value. This method may not achieve the best price discovery compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer impact is minimal given the small contract value, but efficient procurement practices are always beneficial.
Public Impact
Ensures a supply of essential food items for federal inmates. Supports the operational needs of the Federal Prison System. Potential for price fluctuations in meat markets impacting future procurements.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 35 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific PSC code hinders detailed analysis.
- Limited competition under SAP may not yield optimal pricing.
- Short contract duration (90 days) requires frequent re-procurement.
Positive Signals
- Procurement utilized competitive procedures within SAP.
- Clear awardee and contract type (Firm Fixed Price).
Sector Analysis
This procurement falls under miscellaneous food manufacturing, a sector critical for institutional support services. Spending benchmarks for food items vary widely based on quantity, type, and location, but this specific award is small.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, North Star Imports, LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Further investigation would be needed to determine its size status and impact on small business utilization goals.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is primarily managed by the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons. The use of SAP suggests internal controls are in place for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed itemization.
- Potential for higher unit costs due to limited competition.
- Short contract duration necessitates frequent re-competition.
- Unclear small business status of the awardee.
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 $31,563.5 to NORTH STAR IMPORTS, LLC. FCI TALLADEGA 3RD QTR 281 FY 2026 MEAT ITEMS
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 $31,563.5.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the specific breakdown of 'meat items' included in this contract and their respective quantities?
The provided data does not specify the exact types or quantities of meat items. This level of detail is crucial for a thorough value assessment, as it impacts unit costs, nutritional value, and potential for waste or spoilage. Without this breakdown, it's difficult to compare pricing effectively against market rates or other similar contracts.
What were the key factors that limited competition to SAP, and were alternative procurement strategies considered?
The contract value of $31,563.50 likely falls within the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) threshold, making it eligible for this procurement method. While SAP allows for efficiency, it inherently limits the pool of potential bidders compared to full and open competition. It's important to understand if the agency considered other methods to maximize competition or if the nature of the requirement naturally restricted the bidder pool.
How does the firm fixed price structure impact the Bureau of Prisons' ability to manage potential price volatility in the meat market over the 90-day period?
A firm fixed price contract shifts the risk of price volatility to the contractor, North Star Imports, LLC. While this provides budget certainty for the Bureau of Prisons, it means they will pay the agreed-upon price regardless of market fluctuations. If meat prices increase significantly, the contractor benefits; if they decrease, the government misses out on potential savings. This structure is suitable for short-term needs where price certainty is prioritized.
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: 15B31326Q00000009
Offers Received: 14
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: $31,564
Exercised Options: $31,564
Current Obligation: $31,564
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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