DOJ's $4.3M inmate clothing contract awarded to UNICOR, a federal agency
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $43,150 ($43.1K)
Contractor: Federal Prison Industries, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-03-01
End Date: 2026-03-31
Contract Duration: 30 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FY26 C1 UNICOR JT-INMATE CLOTHING MAR 26
Place of Performance
Location: MARION, WILLIAMSON County, ILLINOIS, 62959
State: Illinois Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $43,150 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC for work described as: FY26 C1 UNICOR JT-INMATE CLOTHING MAR 26 Key points: 1. Value for money is difficult to assess without market benchmarks for specialized inmate apparel. 2. Competition dynamics show a single awardee, raising questions about price discovery. 3. Risk indicators include reliance on a single, government-owned entity for production. 4. Performance context is tied to the specific needs of the Federal Prison System. 5. Sector positioning places this within the government manufacturing and apparel sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging as it involves UNICOR, a government-owned entity, rather than a typical commercial market transaction. The fixed-price nature provides some cost certainty, but without comparable commercial bids, it's difficult to determine if the pricing represents optimal value for taxpayer dollars. The contract's focus on specific inmate needs may also limit direct comparison to broader apparel markets.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a limited competition environment. While the data indicates 3 bids were received, the specific nature of the awardee (UNICOR) implies a potential preference or established relationship, which could influence the breadth of competition. The limited competition may not yield the most aggressive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition can lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully open and competitive process where multiple vendors vie for the contract.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are inmates within the Federal Prison System, who receive necessary clothing. Services delivered include the manufacturing and supply of inmate apparel. Geographic impact is national, serving federal correctional facilities across the United States. Workforce implications are internal to UNICOR, utilizing inmate labor in manufacturing roles.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for higher costs due to limited competition.
- Reliance on a single government entity may reduce flexibility.
- Ensuring quality and timely delivery from a government-run operation requires diligent oversight.
Positive Signals
- Supports the mission of UNICOR to provide meaningful work for federal inmates.
- Ensures a consistent supply of essential items for the correctional system.
- Fixed-price contract offers some budget predictability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the government manufacturing and apparel sector, specifically serving the needs of federal correctional facilities. UNICOR, Federal Prison Industries, Inc., is a government corporation that provides products and services to federal agencies, often utilizing inmate labor. Spending in this niche is driven by the unique requirements of correctional institutions, which differ from standard commercial apparel markets.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides, as the awardee is a federal government corporation (UNICOR). There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would likely fall under the purview of the Department of Justice and UNICOR's internal governance structures. Transparency is generally available through federal procurement databases, but detailed performance metrics and cost breakdowns may be less accessible than in fully commercial contracts. Inspector General oversight would apply to the Department of Justice's administration of the contract.
Related Government Programs
- UNICOR Manufacturing Contracts
- Federal Inmate Services
- Apparel Procurement for Government Institutions
Risk Flags
- Limited Competition
- Sole Source Potential
- Government-Owned Entity Reliance
Tags
department-of-justice, federal-prison-system, unicor, inmate-clothing, apparel-manufacturing, fixed-price, simplified-acquisition, limited-competition, illinois, federal-agency-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $43,150 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC. FY26 C1 UNICOR JT-INMATE CLOTHING MAR 26
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 $43,150.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-03-01. End: 2026-03-31.
What is UNICOR's track record in fulfilling similar apparel contracts for federal agencies?
UNICOR, officially Federal Prison Industries, Inc., has a long-standing mandate to provide products and services to federal agencies, often utilizing inmate labor. Its track record in fulfilling apparel contracts is tied to its core mission of inmate rehabilitation through vocational training and employment. While specific performance data for individual contracts like this one is not always publicly detailed, UNICOR generally aims to meet the needs of its government customers. However, like any large manufacturing entity, it can face challenges related to production capacity, quality control, and delivery timelines. The agency's performance is subject to oversight from the Department of Justice and potentially the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for broader operational reviews.
How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar inmate clothing procurements?
Direct price comparison for inmate clothing is challenging due to the specialized nature of the items and the unique supplier, UNICOR. Unlike commercial apparel markets where multiple vendors compete on price and quality for standardized goods, UNICOR operates as a government-owned entity. Pricing is influenced by factors such as inmate labor costs, material sourcing, and UNICOR's operational overhead. Without access to historical data on similar UNICOR contracts or bids from other potential suppliers (if any were solicited), it's difficult to benchmark this $4.3 million award against market rates. The fixed-price contract type offers some cost certainty, but the absence of robust competitive bidding limits the ability to assess optimal value for money.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential quality control issues, delivery delays, and the possibility of higher costs due to limited competition. As UNICOR is a government entity utilizing inmate labor, ensuring consistent product quality and adherence to delivery schedules requires diligent oversight. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear contract specifications, performance monitoring by the contracting agency (Department of Justice), and UNICOR's internal quality assurance processes. The fixed-price nature of the contract shifts some cost risk to UNICOR. However, the limited competition aspect means that the government may not be achieving the most cost-effective solution available in a broader market.
How effective is UNICOR in meeting the specific needs of the Federal Prison System for inmate clothing?
UNICOR's effectiveness in meeting the Federal Prison System's needs is central to its mission. The agency is designed to provide essential goods and services to federal correctional facilities, including clothing. Its effectiveness is measured by its ability to supply the required quantities of appropriate apparel that meet the specifications set by the Bureau of Prisons. This includes durability, comfort, and compliance with correctional facility standards. While the contract's existence suggests a continued need and UNICOR's role as a supplier, the specific level of effectiveness (e.g., on-time delivery rates, defect rates) is typically managed through ongoing performance evaluations by the contracting agency, which are not detailed in this summary data.
What are the historical spending patterns for inmate clothing within the Department of Justice?
Historical spending patterns for inmate clothing within the Department of Justice (DOJ), particularly for the Federal Prison System (FPS), are largely channeled through UNICOR. While specific annual dollar amounts fluctuate based on inmate population, clothing needs, and contract values, UNICOR has been the primary provider for decades. Publicly available data often aggregates spending across various UNICOR product lines rather than isolating inmate clothing specifically. However, it's understood that the FPS represents a significant customer base for UNICOR's textile and apparel manufacturing division. Analyzing trends would require examining UNICOR's annual reports and DOJ procurement data over multiple fiscal years, looking for consistent or increasing/decreasing obligations for inmate apparel.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: CLOTHING, INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT, INSIGNA, AND JEWELRY
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 15BFA025Q00000134
Offers Received: 3
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: $43,150
Exercised Options: $43,150
Current Obligation: $43,150
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15BFA025A00000039
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-03-01
Current End Date: 2026-03-31
Potential End Date: 2026-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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