UNICOR awarded $23.7M contract for feminine hygiene products, supporting federal prison system needs
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,731 ($23.7K)
Contractor: Federal Prison Industries, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-07-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 91 days
Daily Burn Rate: $261/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: UNICOR FY 26 C1 FEMININE HYGIENE
Place of Performance
Location: SECAUCUS, HUDSON County, NEW JERSEY, 07094
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $23,730.84 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC for work described as: UNICOR FY 26 C1 FEMININE HYGIENE Key points: 1. Contract aims to ensure a consistent supply of essential hygiene items for federal inmates. 2. Competition under SAP suggests a streamlined procurement process for this specific product category. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. 4. Performance period is relatively short, indicating potential for future re-competition or adjustments. 5. This contract aligns with UNICOR's mission to provide vocational training and employment for federal prisoners. 6. The product category is sanitary paper, falling under manufacturing operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $23.7 million for a 91-day period appears reasonable given the specialized nature of supplying federal correctional facilities. Benchmarking against similar contracts for sanitary paper products within the federal government is challenging due to the specific context of inmate supply. However, the firm-fixed-price (FFP) award indicates that pricing was determined upfront, which is generally favorable for the government in managing predictable costs for essential goods.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which is typically used for acquisitions valued between the micro-purchase threshold and the simplified acquisition threshold. While the exact number of bidders is not specified beyond the awardee, the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation implies that multiple offers were solicited and considered, suggesting a degree of competition. The use of SAP aims to increase efficiency for smaller procurements while still ensuring fair and reasonable pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP, even for a single award, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing, leading to better value for the government's expenditure on essential supplies.
Public Impact
Federal inmates in Bureau of Prisons facilities will receive essential feminine hygiene products. The contract supports the operational needs of the Federal Prison System. Manufacturing of these products likely occurs within federal prison facilities, providing employment and vocational training for inmates. The geographic impact is national, serving facilities across the United States. This ensures a critical supply chain for a basic necessity within the correctional system.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for supply chain disruptions if UNICOR faces manufacturing or logistical challenges.
- Ensuring consistent quality and availability of products to meet inmate needs throughout the contract period.
- Reliance on a single awardee for a critical supply item could limit flexibility if unforeseen issues arise.
Positive Signals
- Supports UNICOR's mission of inmate rehabilitation through vocational training and employment.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the Bureau of Prisons.
- Streamlined procurement process through SAP can lead to faster delivery of essential goods.
Sector Analysis
The sanitary paper product manufacturing sector is a mature industry. This contract falls within the broader manufacturing and supplies category for the federal government. UNICOR, as a federal agency, operates within this space to fulfill government requirements and provide inmate labor opportunities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the General Services Administration (GSA) schedules or other agency-specific procurements for similar hygiene products, though the unique context of inmate supply may differentiate it.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and awarded to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC (UNICOR). There is no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements for this specific award. UNICOR's primary mission involves inmate labor, which may influence subcontracting opportunities. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any portion of the work is subcontracted to small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) within the Department of Justice. The BOP is responsible for ensuring contract compliance, product quality, and timely delivery. As a federal agency, UNICOR is also subject to internal oversight mechanisms and potentially audits by the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR) Operations
- Bureau of Prisons Inmate Welfare Fund
- Federal Correctional Institution Supplies
- Sanitary Paper Product Procurement
Risk Flags
- Potential for supply chain disruption due to reliance on inmate labor.
- Quality control assurance for essential hygiene products.
- Short contract duration may indicate need for frequent re-evaluation or potential instability.
Tags
sanitary-paper-manufacturing, feminine-hygiene-products, federal-prison-system, bureau-of-prisons, department-of-justice, unicor, competed-under-sap, firm-fixed-price, essential-supplies, inmate-welfare, new-jersey, manufacturing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $23,730.84 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC. UNICOR FY 26 C1 FEMININE HYGIENE
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 $23,730.84.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-07-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the historical spending pattern for feminine hygiene products by the Federal Prison System?
Analyzing historical spending for feminine hygiene products by the Federal Prison System requires accessing detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. While this specific contract is for FY26, understanding past expenditures can reveal trends in demand, pricing fluctuations, and the typical procurement methods used. For instance, if previous contracts were sole-source or competed differently, it could indicate changes in market dynamics or agency strategy. Without access to a comprehensive historical database for this specific product category within the BOP, it's difficult to provide precise figures. However, such analysis would typically involve identifying recurring contract awards for similar items, noting the award amounts, contract types, and durations to establish a baseline for current spending and identify any significant deviations or patterns.
How does the per-unit cost of these feminine hygiene products compare to commercial market rates?
Determining the exact per-unit cost requires knowing the quantity of products included in the $23.7 million contract and the specific types of products (e.g., pads, tampons, sizes). Since this information is not provided, a direct per-unit cost comparison is not feasible. However, contracts with federal agencies, especially those involving inmate populations, can sometimes differ from commercial market rates due to factors like bulk purchasing, specific product requirements (e.g., durability, material restrictions), and the administrative costs associated with government procurement. UNICOR's involvement, utilizing inmate labor, might also influence cost structures differently than purely commercial manufacturing. A comprehensive comparison would necessitate obtaining detailed product specifications and quantities from the contract award and benchmarking against GSA schedules or large commercial distributors.
What is UNICOR's track record in manufacturing and supplying sanitary paper products?
FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC (UNICOR) has a long-standing mission to provide vocational training and employment for federal inmates through manufacturing and service industries. Their product catalog includes a range of items, and sanitary paper products fall under their manufacturing capabilities. UNICOR's track record in supplying such items to federal agencies, including the Bureau of Prisons, is generally established, as evidenced by this contract award. Performance metrics, such as on-time delivery, product quality, and adherence to specifications, would be monitored by the contracting agency (Bureau of Prisons). While specific performance data for this exact product line isn't detailed here, UNICOR's continued operation and ability to secure such contracts suggest a functional capacity to meet government demands within its operational scope.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on UNICOR for this essential supply?
Potential risks associated with relying on UNICOR for essential supplies like feminine hygiene products include operational disruptions within correctional facilities, potential quality control issues, and supply chain vulnerabilities. UNICOR's operations are dependent on inmate labor, which can be subject to fluctuations due to staffing, security protocols, or inmate availability. Furthermore, any manufacturing or logistical challenges faced by UNICOR could lead to shortages or delays, impacting the well-being of inmates. While UNICOR aims to provide reliable products, the inherent complexities of operating within a correctional environment present unique risks compared to commercial manufacturing. The Bureau of Prisons would typically have contingency plans in place to mitigate such risks, potentially through alternative sourcing or inventory management.
How does this contract contribute to UNICOR's mission of inmate rehabilitation?
This contract directly contributes to UNICOR's core mission by providing federal inmates with meaningful vocational training and employment opportunities. By participating in the manufacturing of feminine hygiene products, inmates acquire skills in production, quality control, and workplace safety, which can enhance their employability upon release. This work experience fosters a sense of responsibility, discipline, and contribution, aiding in their rehabilitation process. Furthermore, the revenue generated from such contracts helps sustain UNICOR's operations, allowing it to continue offering these programs across various federal correctional institutions. The production of essential goods also reinforces the idea of inmates contributing positively to the functioning of the federal system.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Converted Paper Product Manufacturing › Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: TOILETRIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 15BNAS25Q00000041
Offers Received: 6
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: $23,731
Exercised Options: $23,731
Current Obligation: $23,731
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15BNAS25A00000158
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-07-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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