DOJ's $494K Mattress Contract Awarded to UNICOR for Federal Prison System
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $49,400 ($49.4K)
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: $1.6K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FY26 C1 UNICOR JT-MATTRESSES MAR 26
Place of Performance
Location: MARION, WILLIAMSON County, ILLINOIS, 62959
State: Illinois Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $49,400 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC for work described as: FY26 C1 UNICOR JT-MATTRESSES MAR 26 Key points: 1. UNICOR, a federal agency, secured the contract for mattresses. 2. The contract was competed under SAP, indicating a structured procurement process. 3. The award value is $494,000 for a 30-day period. 4. This spending falls within the Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $494,000 for a 30-day period appears reasonable for specialized manufacturing. Benchmarking against similar large-scale mattress procurements would provide a clearer picture of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting some level of competition, but the specific method and number of bidders are not detailed. This limits the ability to assess price discovery effectiveness.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this procurement, with the value being $494,000. The efficiency of this spending depends on the quality and necessity of the mattresses.
Public Impact
Provides essential goods for federal correctional facilities. Supports the operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons. Ensures inmates have necessary bedding, contributing to living conditions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited transparency on competition details.
- Short contract duration may indicate a specific, immediate need.
Positive Signals
- UNICOR's role supports federal agency needs.
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing sector. Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) often serves as a primary supplier for goods within federal institutions, potentially limiting broader market competition.
Small Business Impact
UNICOR is a federal agency, not a small business. This contract does not appear to have specific provisions for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Justice oversees this contract through the Federal Prison System. Standard procurement regulations and oversight apply, but specific details on monitoring are not provided.
Related Government Programs
- Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed competition information.
- Potential for non-competitive pricing.
- Short contract duration raises questions about long-term strategy.
- UNICOR's status as a federal entity limits market alternatives.
Tags
apparel-accessories-and-other-apparel-ma, department-of-justice, il, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $49,400 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC. FY26 C1 UNICOR JT-MATTRESSES 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 $49,400.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-03-01. End: 2026-03-31.
What is the typical unit cost for these mattresses, and how does it compare to commercial equivalents?
The provided data does not include unit cost details, making direct comparison to commercial equivalents impossible. However, given the federal procurement context and UNICOR's role, pricing may reflect specific manufacturing capabilities and inmate labor costs rather than purely market-driven commercial rates. Further analysis would require itemized cost breakdowns.
What are the risks associated with awarding this contract to a federal agency like UNICOR?
Risks include potential lack of competitive pricing compared to the open market, potential for inefficiencies inherent in government-run operations, and limited recourse for quality issues if alternatives are scarce. However, UNICOR's mandate is to provide goods and services to federal agencies, which can streamline supply chains and support federal employment initiatives.
How effective is this contract in meeting the Bureau of Prisons' need for mattresses?
The effectiveness hinges on the quality, durability, and timely delivery of the mattresses. Given the short duration and specific nature of the product, it likely addresses an immediate or recurring need. UNICOR's established role suggests a degree of reliability in fulfilling such requirements within the federal system.
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: $49,400
Exercised Options: $49,400
Current Obligation: $49,400
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
More Contracts from Federal Prison Industries, Inc
- 200509!005033!2100!w15p7t!usa Communications-Electronics !w15p7t05f0073 !A!N! !N! ! !20050629!20070228!624770475!626627459!626627459!y!unicor, Federal Prison Industr!320 1ST Street, N W !washington !dc!20534!50000!001!11!washington !district of Columbia !D.C. !+000097357327!n!n!000000000000!5985!antennas, Waveguides & Related Equipment !A7 !electronics and Communication Equip !000 !* !334290!E! !8! ! ! ! ! !20200930!B! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! ! — $172.3M (Department of Defense)
- 200608!005038!2100!w15p7t!usa Communications-Electronics !w15p7t06dk210 !A!N! !N!0001 ! !20060615!20080614!624770475!626627459!626627459!y!unicor, Federal Prison Industr!320 1ST Street, N W !washington !dc!20534!50000!001!11!washington !district of Columbia !D.C. !+000045363716!n!n!000000000000!5340!miscellaneous Hardware !A7 !electronics and Communication Equip !000 !NOT Discernable !334220!E! !5!B!S! ! ! !99990909!B! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! ! — $45.4M (Department of Defense)
- Letter Contract With Federal Prisons Industries to Procure Sincgars Installation Kits — $43.4M (Department of Defense)
- 200611!007165!2100!w15p7t!usa Communications-Electronics !w15p7t06f0045 !A!N! !N! ! !20060821!20071231!624770475!626627459!626627459!y!federal Prison Industries Inc !320 1ST ST NW !washington !dc!20534!50000!001!11!washington !district of Columbia !D.C. !+000009969333!n!n!000000000000!5935!connectors, Electrical !A7 !electronics and Communication Equip !000 !NOT Discernable !334220!E! !8! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! ! — $19.6M (Department of Defense)
- N/A — $16.1M (Department of Defense)
Other Department of Justice Contracts
- Contractor Owned and Operated Existing Correctional Facility for Approximately 3,500 LOW Security Male Inmates — $794.5M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)
- Detention Services - SAN Diego — $776.9M (THE GEO Group, Inc.)
- CO: Telly Renfroe Award of NEW Task Order Base Year Initial Funding — $616.4M (AT&T Enterprises, LLC)
- TAS 151060 - Services for the Management and Operation of a Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated, Correctional Facility for 2,567 Beds in Adams County, Mississippi — $574.3M (Corecivic, Inc.)
- Provide Services for the Management and Operation of a Correctional Facility in Accordance With Rfp-Pcc-0014 — $568.9M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)