DOJ's $18K food order for SMOOTH SAILING GROUP shows potential for higher costs due to limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,239 ($18.2K)

Contractor: THE Smooth Sailing Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-22

Contract Duration: 20 days

Daily Burn Rate: $912/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 31

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SMOOTH SAILING GROUP FY26 QTR 3 FOOD ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT PETERSBURG, PINELLAS County, FLORIDA, 33701

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $18,239.1 to THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC for work described as: SMOOTH SAILING GROUP FY26 QTR 3 FOOD ORDER Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a routine procurement. 2. Limited competition could lead to less favorable pricing. 3. The short duration of the contract may indicate a need for immediate or short-term supply. 4. The fixed-price nature of the contract shifts risk to the contractor. 5. The procurement method (SAP) suggests it was likely below the simplified acquisition threshold. 6. The specific food items procured are not detailed, making direct value assessment difficult.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $18,239.10 for a 20-day period is modest. Without specific details on the food items and quantities, it's challenging to benchmark against similar contracts or market rates. However, the price per day is approximately $912, which could be considered reasonable for a specialized food service, but requires more context on the scope of services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves fewer bidders than full and open competition. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP procurements often result in limited competition, potentially impacting price discovery and leading to higher prices than if a broader competition were held.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can mean that the government may not always secure the lowest possible price for goods and services, as the pool of potential offerors is restricted.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons are the primary beneficiaries of this food order. The contract ensures the provision of essential food supplies to support the daily needs of the correctional facility. The geographic impact is localized to Florida (ST: FL, SN: FLORIDA), where the facility is located. This contract supports the food manufacturing sector, specifically 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing'.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for inflated pricing due to limited competition under SAP.
Lack of detailed specifications makes it difficult to verify the value for money.
Short contract duration might lead to frequent, potentially less efficient, re-procurements.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract shifts performance risk to the contractor.
Procurement under SAP is generally efficient for smaller dollar amounts.
The contract is for essential goods (food) for a government function.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' category, a segment of the broader food production industry. Federal spending on food services for correctional facilities is a consistent requirement. Benchmarking this specific $18,239.10 contract is difficult without more granular data, but overall federal spending on food and food services is substantial, often involving large-scale contracts for institutional needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (SB: false) and SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC is the prime contractor. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order under SAP, oversight is likely managed through the contracting officer's representative (COR) at the Bureau of Prisons. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements, and specific IG jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential issues arising from the contract's performance or execution.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Bureau of Prisons Commissary Operations
Department of Justice Food Procurement
Correctional Facility Food Supply Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition Risk
Potential for Price Inflation
Lack of Detailed Scope

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $18,239.1 to THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC. SMOOTH SAILING GROUP FY26 QTR 3 FOOD ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP 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 $18,239.1.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-22.

What is the track record of THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC with the federal government?

Information regarding the specific track record of THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC with the federal government is not provided in the data. To assess their performance, one would need to review past federal contracts awarded to this entity, including their value, duration, type of goods/services provided, and any performance evaluations or past performance questionnaires. A lack of extensive federal contracting history might indicate a newer entrant or a focus on state/local or commercial markets. Conversely, a history of successful federal contracts would suggest reliability and experience in navigating federal procurement regulations.

How does the price of this food order compare to similar contracts for federal correctional facilities?

Direct comparison is difficult without knowing the specific food items, quantities, and delivery terms. The contract value of $18,239.10 over 20 days averages $912 per day. This daily rate needs to be contextualized by the number of individuals being served and the type of meals provided. For instance, if this serves a small, specialized population or provides specific dietary meals, the cost might be justified. However, if it's for general population meals, this daily rate would need to be benchmarked against per-meal costs in similar facilities nationwide. Without such granular data, a definitive value-for-money assessment is not possible.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential supply chain disruptions affecting food availability, quality control issues with the delivered food products, and the risk of price increases in future procurements due to the limited competition under SAP. Given the short duration (20 days), there's also a risk of inadequate planning if the need extends beyond this period, potentially leading to emergency procurements at higher costs. The fixed-price nature shifts performance risk to the contractor, but failure to perform could still impact the facility's operations.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in ensuring competitive pricing for food supplies?

SAP is designed for efficiency and speed in acquiring goods and services below the simplified acquisition threshold (typically $250,000). While it can be effective for routine, low-value procurements like this food order, it generally offers less robust price competition than full and open procedures. The emphasis is on ease of use and rapid acquisition rather than maximizing competition. Therefore, while SAP ensures the government can quickly obtain necessary supplies, it may not always result in the absolute lowest price achievable through a broader, more extensive bidding process.

What is the historical spending pattern for food supplies by the Federal Prison System in Florida?

Historical spending patterns for food supplies by the Federal Prison System (FPS) in Florida are not detailed in the provided data. To analyze this, one would need to access historical contract databases (like FPDS or USASpending.gov) and filter for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) within the state of Florida, looking at contracts categorized under food services, food manufacturing, or related North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, types of procurements (e.g., recurring vs. one-time), and potentially identify key suppliers and average spending levels.

Are there any specific performance metrics or quality standards required for these food supplies?

The provided data does not specify any performance metrics or quality standards for the food supplies procured under this contract. Typically, government contracts include clauses related to quality assurance, delivery schedules, and product specifications. For food items, this could involve adherence to FDA regulations, specific nutritional content, freshness standards, and packaging requirements. The absence of this information in the summary suggests that these details are likely contained within the full contract document or associated statements of work, which are not available here.

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: 15B40826Q00000007

Offers Received: 31

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 855 CENTRAL AVE UNIT 1202, SAINT PETERSBURG, FL, 33701

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,239

Exercised Options: $18,239

Current Obligation: $18,239

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline