UNICOR awarded $600K contract for eyeglasses, highlighting federal prison industry's role in manufacturing
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $60,000 ($60.0K)
Contractor: Federal Prison Industries, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-01-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 272 days
Daily Burn Rate: $221/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FY26 B1 UNICOR EYEGLASSES QTR 2-QTR 4
Place of Performance
Location: LEXINGTON, FAYETTE County, KENTUCKY, 40511
State: Kentucky Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $60,000 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC for work described as: FY26 B1 UNICOR EYEGLASSES QTR 2-QTR 4 Key points: 1. Value for money is difficult to assess without competitive benchmarks. 2. The contract leverages existing federal manufacturing capabilities. 3. Risk indicators are low given the established nature of the supplier. 4. Performance context is within the Bureau of Prisons' operational needs. 5. Sector positioning is within the apparel and accessories manufacturing segment. 6. This contract supports the Federal Prison Industries' mission to provide meaningful work for inmates.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $600,000 for eyeglasses over approximately nine months presents a moderate expenditure. Without comparable market pricing for similar bulk orders or a competitive bidding process, it is challenging to definitively assess value for money. However, UNICOR's mandate includes providing vocational training and employment for federal inmates, which may influence pricing considerations beyond pure market efficiency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC (UNICOR) under a sole-source arrangement, as indicated by 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This means the contract was not openly competed. UNICOR is a government-owned, industry-run prison labor program, and its use in federal procurement often bypasses traditional competitive processes.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers do not benefit from potential cost savings that could arise from a bidding war among multiple suppliers. The price is set by UNICOR without direct market pressure.
Public Impact
Federal inmates in Kentucky will benefit from employment and vocational training opportunities. The contract will deliver eyeglasses for use within the federal correctional system. The geographic impact is primarily within Kentucky, where the manufacturing likely occurs. Workforce implications include the continued employment and skill development of incarcerated individuals.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding limits price discovery and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
- Sole-source nature raises questions about whether the most cost-effective solution was secured.
- Reliance on a single supplier could create dependency and potential supply chain vulnerabilities if UNICOR faces production issues.
Positive Signals
- Supports the federal government's mission to provide meaningful employment and rehabilitation for inmates.
- Leverages existing government infrastructure and capabilities within UNICOR.
- Ensures a consistent supply of a necessary item for the federal prison system.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the apparel and accessories manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on eyewear. Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) operates within this space, aiming to provide vocational training and employment for federal inmates. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the sole-source nature and the unique mission-driven aspect of UNICOR's operations, which may not align with typical commercial market pricing.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides, as it is awarded directly to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. There are no explicit subcontracting implications mentioned that would directly benefit small businesses. The focus is on utilizing inmate labor within the federal prison system.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight of UNICOR is managed by the Federal Prison Industries, Inc. Board of Directors, appointed by the President. The Bureau of Prisons also provides oversight. Transparency is facilitated through annual reports and congressional oversight. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract's execution.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR)
- Bureau of Prisons Procurement
- Inmate Welfare and Rehabilitation Programs
- Federal Manufacturing Initiatives
Risk Flags
- Sole-source procurement
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for higher costs due to no competition
Tags
federal-spending, eyeglasses, unicor, department-of-justice, federal-prison-system, bureau-of-prisons, manufacturing, apparel-accessories, sole-source, firm-fixed-price, kentucky, inmate-labor
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $60,000 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC. FY26 B1 UNICOR EYEGLASSES QTR 2-QTR 4
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 $60,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-01-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the historical spending pattern for eyeglasses or similar optical goods procured by the Federal Prison System?
Historical spending data for eyeglasses or similar optical goods specifically by the Federal Prison System (FPS) is not readily available in public databases. However, UNICOR, as the supplier, has a long-standing role in manufacturing various goods for federal agencies. Their overall revenue and contract portfolio provide a broader context for their operational scale. Analyzing past contracts awarded to UNICOR for similar manufactured goods, if available, could offer insights into their pricing structures and production capacities. Without specific historical data for this particular item, a direct comparison of spending trends is limited. The current contract's value of $600,000 for a 9-month period suggests a consistent, albeit not massive, demand for these items within the correctional facilities.
How does the pricing of these UNICOR-produced eyeglasses compare to commercially available alternatives, considering bulk purchasing?
Direct price comparison between UNICOR-produced eyeglasses and commercially available alternatives is challenging due to the sole-source nature of this contract and UNICOR's unique operational model. UNICOR's pricing is influenced by its mission to provide vocational training and employment for federal inmates, which may not always align with purely market-driven cost efficiencies. Commercial bulk pricing for eyeglasses can vary significantly based on frame quality, lens type, prescription complexity, and supplier volume discounts. While UNICOR aims to be cost-effective, the absence of competitive bidding means there's no direct market validation of its pricing against other manufacturers. To assess value, one would need to compare the cost per unit against the social benefits derived from inmate employment and rehabilitation, alongside the functional quality of the eyeglasses provided.
What are the specific quality standards and performance expectations for the eyeglasses being procured?
The contract details likely specify quality standards and performance expectations for the eyeglasses, although these are not explicitly provided in the summary data. Typically, federal procurements for items like eyeglasses would reference industry standards (e.g., ANSI Z80.1 for ophthalmic lenses) or specific government requirements related to durability, material safety, optical clarity, and fit. Performance expectations would likely include timely delivery, adherence to specifications, and a certain defect rate. Given that these are for use within correctional facilities, robustness and ease of maintenance might also be key considerations. The contract type, 'FIRM FIXED PRICE,' suggests that the contractor, UNICOR, is responsible for meeting these quality and performance standards at the agreed-upon price.
What is UNICOR's track record in manufacturing and delivering apparel accessories, specifically eyewear?
UNICOR (Federal Prison Industries) has a broad track record in manufacturing a diverse range of products for federal agencies, including apparel, textiles, furniture, electronics, and more. While specific data on their eyewear manufacturing volume and history isn't detailed here, they operate numerous factories within federal prisons. Their overall performance is subject to evaluation through contract performance metrics and agency feedback. UNICOR's mandate is to provide quality goods and services while offering vocational training. Their ability to consistently meet delivery schedules and quality specifications across their product lines is a key aspect of their operational success and is generally monitored by the agencies they serve. Past performance reviews and contract awards would provide a more granular view of their specific capabilities in eyewear production.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a sole-source supplier like UNICOR for essential items?
Relying on a sole-source supplier like UNICOR for essential items presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's a lack of price competition, which could lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitively bid scenario. Secondly, supply chain disruptions are a significant concern; if UNICOR faces production issues, labor shortages (within the inmate population), or material supply problems, the delivery of essential items could be delayed or halted, impacting the operations of the Bureau of Prisons. Thirdly, without market alternatives readily available through competition, there might be less incentive for UNICOR to innovate or aggressively improve product quality or efficiency beyond baseline requirements. Finally, there's a risk of vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch suppliers even if performance issues arise.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 15BFA025Q00000134
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: $60,000
Exercised Options: $60,000
Current Obligation: $60,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15BFA025A00000039
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-01-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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