DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $16.7M contract for miscellaneous food manufacturing to North Star Imports, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,720 ($16.7K)
Contractor: North Star Imports, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-06
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 85 days
Daily Burn Rate: $197/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 26
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FY26 A1 NORTH STAR IMPORTS Q3 APR 26
Place of Performance
Location: SAINT PAUL, DAKOTA County, MINNESOTA, 55122
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $16,720 to NORTH STAR IMPORTS, LLC for work described as: FY26 A1 NORTH STAR IMPORTS Q3 APR 26 Key points: 1. The contract value of $16.7 million is significant for the specified product category. 2. Competition details are limited, but the award was made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 3. Potential risks include the short performance period and the specific nature of the 'miscellaneous food manufacturing' category. 4. The sector is broadly related to government procurement of food supplies for federal institutions.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $16.7 million for a roughly two-month period seems high. Benchmarking against similar, longer-term food supply contracts would be necessary to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting a streamlined process. The limited duration and specific product may have restricted the pool of potential bidders, potentially impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this procurement. Without clear competitive pricing, the exact impact is difficult to ascertain, but it represents a significant expenditure.
Public Impact
Ensures food supplies for federal correctional facilities. Supports a specific business in Minnesota. The procurement process impacts the efficiency of government spending on essential services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Short contract duration for a substantial amount.
- Vague product description ('All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing').
- Limited competition under SAP.
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a specific business.
- Meets a stated need for the Federal Prison System.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under general government procurement for food services, specifically within the Federal Prison System. Benchmarks for food manufacturing contracts vary widely based on product type and volume.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to North Star Imports, LLC. Further analysis would be needed to determine if this is a small business and if the procurement process adequately considered small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would focus on ensuring the delivered goods meet specifications and that the pricing is reasonable given the competitive process and contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- High contract value for a short duration.
- Vague product description.
- Potential for limited competition under SAP for a large value award.
- Lack of clear benchmarking data for 'miscellaneous food manufacturing'.
Tags
all-other-miscellaneous-food-manufacturi, department-of-justice, mn, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $16,720 to NORTH STAR IMPORTS, LLC. FY26 A1 NORTH STAR IMPORTS Q3 APR 26
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NORTH STAR IMPORTS, 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 $16,720.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the specific nature of the 'miscellaneous food manufacturing' being procured?
The specific nature of 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' is unclear from the provided data. This broad category could encompass a wide range of food products, from processed ingredients to ready-to-eat meals. Further clarification is needed to understand the exact requirements and assess the appropriateness of the contract's value and terms.
What are the risks associated with the short performance period and high value?
The primary risk is that the short performance period (approximately two months) for a $16.7 million contract may indicate an expedited need or a lack of long-term planning. This could lead to inflated pricing due to urgency or insufficient time for thorough market research and competitive bidding, potentially resulting in a less favorable price for taxpayers.
How effectively does the SAP competition method ensure value for money in this case?
Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are intended for purchases under $250,000, though exceptions exist. For a $16.7 million contract, using SAP suggests a potentially limited competitive environment. While it can expedite procurement, it may not yield the best possible price or terms compared to full and open competition, raising questions about overall value for money.
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
Parent Company: North Star Imports LLC
Address: 3459 WASHINGTON DR STE 201, SAINT PAUL, MN, 55122
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,720
Exercised Options: $16,720
Current Obligation: $16,720
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-06
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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