DOJ awards $4.1M for poultry processing, with APEX FOOD GROUP securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,090 ($41.1K)

Contractor: Apex Food Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-05-01

End Date: 2026-05-01

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 12

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY 2026 Q3 - CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS

Place of Performance

Location: LITTLE ROCK, PULASKI County, ARKANSAS, 72207

State: Arkansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $41,090 to APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC for work described as: FY 2026 Q3 - CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order, providing cost certainty for the government. 3. Awarded to APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC, a single entity, indicating a specific supplier relationship. 4. The service is poultry processing, essential for federal correctional facilities. 5. The contract duration is a single day, implying a very specific, potentially one-time need. 6. The award is for Arkansas, indicating a localized service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.1 million for a single day of poultry processing appears high, especially given the short duration. Without more context on the volume of poultry processed or the specific services included, it's difficult to benchmark effectively. However, the firm-fixed-price nature provides budget predictability. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of work and comparing it to similar, albeit likely longer-term, food service contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders compared to full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders isn't provided, SAP is designed for procurements below certain thresholds, often leading to less robust competition. This can sometimes result in less aggressive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition under SAP may mean taxpayers do not benefit from the most competitive pricing achievable through broader market engagement.

Public Impact

Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons benefits from the supply of processed poultry. Ensures a supply chain for food services within federal correctional facilities. The service is geographically focused on Arkansas. Potential indirect impact on local agricultural and food processing workforces in Arkansas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High contract value for a single-day service duration raises questions about efficiency and scope.
Limited competition under SAP may not yield the best value for taxpayer dollars.
Lack of detailed service description makes it hard to assess performance requirements and potential risks.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to a specific vendor suggests a potentially established relationship for essential services.
SAP competition, while limited, is a standard procedure for procurements of this estimated value.

Sector Analysis

The federal government is a significant consumer of food products, including poultry, to support its various agencies and institutions, particularly correctional facilities. The market for poultry processing is large and competitive, with numerous suppliers. This contract fits within the broader food services and agricultural procurement sector, where the government often leverages simplified acquisition procedures for routine or smaller-value needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and awarded as a purchase order. There is no explicit mention of a small business set-aside. Without further details on the bidding process, it's unclear if small businesses were specifically targeted or had opportunities to subcontract. The nature of SAP can sometimes favor established vendors, but it also allows for participation by smaller businesses if they meet the requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement regulations and the Federal Prison System's administrative controls. As a purchase order under SAP, it likely undergoes standard financial review and payment processing. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, but detailed performance oversight would depend on the agency's specific monitoring protocols for food service contracts.

Related Government Programs

Federal Food Service Contracts
Bureau of Prisons Procurement
Department of Justice Supply Chain Management
Agricultural Product Procurement

Risk Flags

High value for single-day service
Limited competition indicated by SAP
Lack of detailed scope of work

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $41,090 to APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC. FY 2026 Q3 - CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APEX FOOD 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 $41,090.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-01. End: 2026-05-01.

What is the specific volume of poultry processed for the $4.1 million award?

The provided data does not specify the exact volume of poultry to be processed under this $4.1 million contract. The contract is for 'Poultry Processing' and is a single-day purchase order. To fully assess the value for money, understanding the quantity of poultry (e.g., pounds, number of birds) and the specific processing services (e.g., deboning, packaging, specific cuts) included in the scope of work is crucial. Without this, it's challenging to determine if the price is commensurate with the output.

How does the $4.1 million cost for a single day of poultry processing compare to industry benchmarks?

Benchmarking a $4.1 million contract for a single day of poultry processing is difficult without detailed scope information. Standard poultry processing contracts are typically longer-term and involve significant volumes. A single-day award at this value suggests either an exceptionally large, concentrated processing requirement or potentially a broader service agreement bundled into a short-term order. Industry benchmarks usually focus on per-pound costs or annual contract values, making a direct comparison for a one-day service highly speculative. Further details on the quantity and specific services are needed for a meaningful comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the Federal Prison System?

The primary risks for the Federal Prison System with this contract include potential supply chain disruptions if APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC faces operational issues, given the concentrated nature of the award. There's also a risk of suboptimal pricing due to limited competition under SAP. Furthermore, the short duration and lack of detailed service description could lead to scope creep or unmet expectations if the scope isn't precisely defined and managed. Ensuring food safety and quality standards are met is also a constant risk in food procurement.

What is the track record of APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC with federal contracts?

The provided data identifies APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC as the awardee but does not include information on their historical federal contract performance. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Understanding their experience with similar government procurements, particularly within correctional facility food services, would provide insight into their reliability and capability.

What is the historical spending pattern for poultry processing by the Department of Justice?

The provided data focuses on a single FY 2026 Q3 award and does not offer historical spending patterns for poultry processing by the Department of Justice. To analyze historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases for previous years, looking at contracts awarded by the Bureau of Prisons and other relevant DOJ components for similar goods and services. This would reveal trends in contract values, awardees, competition levels, and the overall volume of spending on poultry processing over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Animal Slaughtering and Processing › Poultry Processing

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15B50226Q00000036

Offers Received: 12

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Apex Food Group LLC

Address: 2 ARMISTEAD RD, LITTLE ROCK, AR, 72207

Business Categories: Category Business, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $41,090

Exercised Options: $41,090

Current Obligation: $41,090

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline