UNICOR awarded $6.4M for prescription safety eyeglasses, with a 98-day duration
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,446 ($6.4K)
Contractor: Federal Prison Industries, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-01-22
End Date: 2026-04-30
Contract Duration: 98 days
Daily Burn Rate: $66/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: UNICOR, PRESCRIPTION SAFETY EYEGLASSES, FY26
Place of Performance
Location: NAVAL AIR STATION/JRB, TARRANT County, TEXAS, 76127
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $6,446 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC for work described as: UNICOR, PRESCRIPTION SAFETY EYEGLASSES, FY26 Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in inmate welfare and safety. 2. Competition dynamics for this specific product are likely influenced by specialized manufacturing requirements. 3. Performance risk appears low given the defined scope and short duration. 4. This contract supports the Bureau of Prisons' mission to provide essential services to incarcerated individuals. 5. The procurement falls within the broader category of correctional industry manufacturing and inmate support services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $6.4M for prescription safety eyeglasses over a 98-day period appears to be a reasonable allocation for specialized inmate needs. Benchmarking against similar contracts is challenging due to the niche nature of correctional industry procurements. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the government has a clear understanding of costs, and UNICOR, as a federal entity, may operate under different cost structures than commercial vendors, potentially impacting direct price comparisons. The value is assessed based on the necessity of providing safety equipment to inmates.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a procurement valued below the threshold for full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP allows for a broader range of potential offerors than sole-source but may not achieve the same level of price discovery as a large-scale competitive bid. The use of SAP suggests that the agency sought to balance competition with efficiency for a procurement of this size.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP for this contract likely resulted in a competitive price, but potentially not the absolute lowest achievable through a more extensive bidding process. Taxpayers benefit from a fair price, though the full extent of cost savings from maximum competition may not have been realized.
Public Impact
Incarcerated individuals in federal correctional facilities will benefit from access to necessary prescription safety eyeglasses. The services delivered include the manufacturing and provision of specialized eyewear. The geographic impact is national, serving federal correctional institutions across the United States. This contract supports the operational needs of the Federal Prison System and the Bureau of Prisons.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited public information on UNICOR's pricing models and cost efficiencies compared to commercial alternatives.
- Potential for higher costs due to the unique operational environment of federal prisons.
- The short duration might limit opportunities for long-term cost optimization or process improvements.
Positive Signals
- Provides essential safety equipment to a vulnerable population, fulfilling a critical need.
- Supports the federal government's mandate to operate correctional facilities safely and effectively.
- UNICOR's mission aligns with rehabilitative goals by providing work opportunities for inmates.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on apparel accessories and other apparel manufacturing, with a specialization in safety eyewear. UNICOR, as Federal Prison Industries, Inc., operates within a unique segment of the manufacturing industry, leveraging inmate labor to produce goods and services for government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the captive market and specific mission of UNICOR. The market size for prescription safety eyewear is substantial, but this contract represents a specific government procurement within that market.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides, as UNICOR is a federal entity that utilizes inmate labor. There are no explicit subcontracting implications mentioned that would directly benefit small businesses in the traditional sense. The primary impact is on the federal correctional system's internal supply chain and inmate employment programs.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract is primarily managed by the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Prisons. As a federal procurement, it is subject to standard government contracting regulations and oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific operational details of UNICOR's production may be less public. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) Operations
- Bureau of Prisons Inmate Welfare Fund
- Correctional Industry Manufacturing
- Federal Correctional Facility Supplies
Risk Flags
- Potential for quality control issues with specialized eyewear.
- Dependence on a single federal entity (UNICOR) for supply.
- Limited transparency in cost structures compared to commercial vendors.
Tags
manufacturing, correctional-services, safety-equipment, federal-prison-system, bureau-of-prisons, unicor, prescription-eyeglasses, firm-fixed-price, simplified-acquisition, texas, fy26
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $6,446 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC. UNICOR, PRESCRIPTION SAFETY EYEGLASSES, FY26
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 $6,446.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-01-22. End: 2026-04-30.
What is UNICOR's track record in supplying prescription safety eyeglasses to federal correctional facilities?
UNICOR, or Federal Prison Industries, Inc., has a long-standing mandate to provide goods and services to federal agencies, including those within the correctional system. Their track record in supplying items like prescription safety eyeglasses is tied to their broader mission of inmate employment and vocational training. While specific performance metrics for this exact product line over extended periods are not readily available in public databases, UNICOR has historically supplied a wide range of products, from apparel to furniture and electronics, to government entities. The success of such contracts often depends on the specific facility's needs, UNICOR's production capacity at the time, and the quality control processes in place. The current award suggests continued reliance on UNICOR for these essential safety items.
How does the pricing of these prescription safety eyeglasses compare to commercial market rates?
Direct comparison of UNICOR's pricing for prescription safety eyeglasses to commercial market rates is complex. UNICOR operates under a unique model that leverages inmate labor, which significantly alters the cost structure compared to private sector manufacturers employing a standard workforce. While this can potentially lead to lower costs for the government, it's not always a direct cost-saving measure when considering the full scope of government investment in the prison system. Publicly available data does not typically include detailed cost breakdowns that would allow for a precise benchmark against commercial vendors. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract indicates a set cost, but the underlying cost efficiencies or inefficiencies relative to the open market remain largely opaque without further analysis of UNICOR's operational expenses and overhead.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract are related to potential delays in production or delivery, and ensuring the quality and proper fit of the prescription safety eyeglasses. Given the short duration of 98 days, the risk of significant delays impacting operations is somewhat mitigated. UNICOR's established role within the Bureau of Prisons suggests a degree of familiarity and established processes for fulfilling such orders. Mitigation strategies likely include clear contract specifications, quality assurance checks by the Bureau of Prisons, and UNICOR's internal production management. The firm-fixed-price contract also shifts some of the financial risk to UNICOR, incentivizing them to meet the specified requirements within the agreed-upon budget.
What is the historical spending pattern for prescription safety eyeglasses or similar items procured by the Bureau of Prisons?
Historical spending patterns for prescription safety eyeglasses by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) are not easily isolated as a distinct category in public spending databases. Such procurements are often bundled within broader categories like 'Correctional Institution Supplies,' 'Safety Equipment,' or 'Apparel and Accessories.' UNICOR has been a consistent provider of various goods to federal correctional facilities for decades, including items that would encompass inmate safety and personal needs. The annual spending on these specific items would fluctuate based on inmate population, specific safety mandates, and the availability of UNICOR's production capacity. The current award of $6.4M for a 98-day period suggests a significant, albeit short-term, requirement for these eyeglasses.
How does this contract contribute to the overall mission and operational efficiency of the Federal Prison System?
This contract directly contributes to the Federal Prison System's (FPS) mission by ensuring the safety and well-being of the inmate population. Providing prescription safety eyeglasses is a critical component of maintaining a secure and functional correctional environment. It addresses a fundamental need for inmates who require vision correction and also need protective eyewear for various work assignments or activities within the facility. By fulfilling this requirement through UNICOR, the FPS leverages a government-owned entity that is designed to support correctional operations while also providing meaningful work opportunities for inmates, aligning with rehabilitation goals and potentially reducing idleness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 15BFA025Q00000134
Offers Received: 1
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: $6,446
Exercised Options: $6,446
Current Obligation: $6,446
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15BFA025A00000039
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-01-22
Current End Date: 2026-04-30
Potential End Date: 2026-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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