DOJ's $27.6M food manufacturing contract awarded to The Smooth Sailing Group LLC for FY26

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,657 ($27.7K)

Contractor: THE Smooth Sailing Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-16

End Date: 2026-04-16

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 26

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 A1 THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP Q3

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT PETERSBURG, PINELLAS County, FLORIDA, 33701

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $27,657.08 to THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC for work described as: FY26 A1 THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP Q3 Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller procurements. 2. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 3. Awarded to The Smooth Sailing Group LLC, a single entity, indicating a specific supplier relationship. 4. The contract duration is zero, implying it's for immediate needs or a single delivery. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 311999 covers 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing'. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have subcontracting requirements. 7. The contract is for the Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons, indicating a specific institutional need.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this $27.6 million contract is challenging without more specific details on the goods or services provided under the 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' category. The award amount is substantial for a single purchase order with a zero-day duration, raising questions about whether this represents a bulk purchase or a placeholder. Without comparable contracts for similar food manufacturing supplies to correctional facilities, assessing value for money is difficult. The firm fixed price structure is standard, but the overall cost-effectiveness hinges on the necessity and quantity of the items procured.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a less extensive competition process than full and open competition. While SAP allows for competition, it often involves fewer bidders and may be restricted to specific types of vendors or solicitations. The number of bidders is not specified, but the use of SAP suggests that the competition may have been limited in scope or participation.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP for a contract of this magnitude could mean less aggressive price negotiation compared to a full and open competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers. However, it may also reflect efficient procurement for specific, readily available goods.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely inmates within the Federal Prison System, receiving food supplies. The services delivered involve the manufacturing and provision of miscellaneous food products. The geographic impact is concentrated in Florida (ST/SN), where the contractor is located or where the supplies will be delivered. Workforce implications are primarily within The Smooth Sailing Group LLC, related to their food manufacturing operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed service description makes it hard to assess if the $27.6M is justified for a zero-duration contract.
Competition under SAP might limit price discovery, potentially impacting taxpayer value.
The specific nature of 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' is vague, raising concerns about potential overspending on non-essential items.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Award to a specific LLC suggests a focused supplier relationship for potentially specialized needs.
Procurement through SAP can be efficient for certain types of goods and services.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the miscellaneous food manufacturing sector, a broad category within the food processing industry. This sector encompasses a wide range of products not specifically classified elsewhere. Federal spending in this area often supports institutional needs, such as correctional facilities, military bases, and government cafeterias. The market size for miscellaneous food manufacturing is significant, driven by both commercial and governmental demand. This contract represents a notable expenditure within this niche, likely fulfilling a specific demand from the Federal Prison System.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means that opportunities for small business participation in fulfilling this contract are likely limited to direct supply chain roles or are non-existent. The award to a single LLC does not inherently preclude small business involvement in their supply chain, but the primary contract itself does not prioritize small business engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement and auditing functions, as well as the Federal Prison System's management. Given it's a purchase order under SAP, the level of detailed oversight might be less intensive than for larger, more complex contracts. Transparency is limited by the available data; specific performance metrics and delivery details are not publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Bureau of Prisons Procurement
Department of Justice Supply Chain Management
Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing Contracts
Government Institutional Food Procurement

Risk Flags

Unusual contract duration (zero days) for a large award amount.
Vague description of goods/services under NAICS code 311999.
Limited competition indicated by SAP procurement method.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $27,657.08 to THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP LLC. FY26 A1 THE SMOOTH SAILING GROUP Q3

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 $27,657.08.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-16. End: 2026-04-16.

What specific types of food products are included under 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' for the Federal Prison System?

The classification 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' (NAICS 311999) is very broad and can encompass a wide array of food items not specifically categorized under other food manufacturing codes. For the Federal Prison System, this could potentially include items like pre-packaged meals, snacks, beverages, condiments, or specialized dietary products. Without further details from the contract solicitation or award documents, it is impossible to ascertain the exact nature of the food products. The significant value of $27.6 million suggests a substantial quantity or variety of goods are being procured, likely to meet the dietary needs of a large inmate population over a specific period, despite the zero-day duration listed.

How does the $27.6 million award compare to historical spending on similar food manufacturing contracts by the Federal Prison System?

Direct historical comparisons for this specific 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' category are difficult without access to detailed historical procurement data for the Federal Prison System. However, $27.6 million is a substantial sum for a single purchase order, even for institutional food supply. Typically, large correctional systems procure food through a combination of contracts, some potentially larger and longer-term, others for specific needs. If this $27.6 million represents a single, immediate procurement, it would be considered high. If it's an aggregate for a period or a specific type of item, it might align more closely with other large-scale institutional food service expenditures. Further analysis would require examining past solicitations and awards for food products within the Bureau of Prisons.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and quality assurance measures for this contract?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and quality assurance measures for this contract are not publicly detailed in the provided data. For food manufacturing contracts, especially those serving correctional facilities, typical KPIs would likely include on-time delivery, product quality (adherence to nutritional standards, absence of defects), safety compliance (food handling, manufacturing standards), and potentially cost control. Quality assurance would involve inspections, testing of samples, and adherence to strict food safety regulations. The firm fixed price nature of the contract implies that the contractor bears the primary responsibility for meeting quality standards to avoid financial penalties or contract termination.

What is the track record of The Smooth Sailing Group LLC in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for food manufacturing?

Information regarding The Smooth Saling Group LLC's specific track record in fulfilling federal contracts, especially for food manufacturing, is not provided in the data. To assess their reliability, one would need to examine their past performance history, including any previous awards, contract values, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any instances of disputes or terminations. Without this background information, it's challenging to gauge their experience and capability in meeting the demands of a significant federal procurement like this one.

What is the risk associated with a zero-day contract duration for a $27.6 million award?

A zero-day contract duration for a $27.6 million award is highly unusual and presents significant risks. It typically implies that the contract is for immediate delivery or a single transaction, which seems disproportionate to the large dollar amount. This could indicate an administrative error in the data, or it might represent a contract for a specific, immediate, large-scale need. The risk lies in the potential for the government to overpay for goods not immediately required or to face delays if the contractor cannot fulfill such a large order instantaneously. It also raises questions about the planning and execution of the procurement process, as such a large value usually necessitates a longer performance period to ensure adequate supply and manage costs effectively.

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: 15B41426Q00000003

Offers Received: 26

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: $27,657

Exercised Options: $27,657

Current Obligation: $27,657

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline