DOJ's Federal Prison System Spends $9.5K on Women's Pants from UNICOR for FY26
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,540 ($9.5K)
Contractor: Federal Prison Industries, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-06
End Date: 2026-05-31
Contract Duration: 55 days
Daily Burn Rate: $173/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FPI UNICOR -WOMEN PANTS APR FY26 $9,539.88
Place of Performance
Location: NAVAL AIR STATION/JRB, TARRANT County, TEXAS, 76127
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $9,539.88 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC for work described as: FPI UNICOR -WOMEN PANTS APR FY26 $9,539.88 Key points: 1. UNICOR, a federal agency, is the sole provider for these women's pants. 2. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) award under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. 3. This is a small dollar value purchase, indicating minimal immediate financial risk. 4. The sector is Apparel Manufacturing, serving the needs of the Federal Prison System.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The price of $9,539.88 for women's pants is difficult to benchmark without specific details on material, quantity, and quality. As a sole-source provider for federal correctional facilities, UNICOR may not face typical market pressures that would drive down costs.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded under a sole-source arrangement to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC (UNICOR). While this ensures a provider for federal facilities, it limits price discovery and competition, potentially leading to higher costs than if sourced competitively.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for this purchase. The lack of competition means the government may not be achieving the best possible price for these apparel items.
Public Impact
Ensures necessary apparel is available for female inmates within the federal prison system. Supports the operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons. UNICOR's mission includes providing employment and vocational training for federal prisoners.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
- Lack of detailed specifications makes cost assessment difficult.
Positive Signals
- Meets a specific government requirement.
- Small dollar value limits financial exposure.
Sector Analysis
The apparel manufacturing sector is highly competitive globally, but within federal prisons, UNICOR often operates as a de facto sole-source provider for certain goods. Spending benchmarks for inmate apparel can vary widely based on quantity and quality requirements.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small businesses, as it is awarded directly to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC (UNICOR), a government-owned entity. UNICOR's primary mission is to employ federal prisoners.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons. As a sole-source award, oversight should focus on ensuring the price is fair and reasonable given the circumstances and that the quality meets the required standards.
Related Government Programs
- Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of detailed specifications
- Potential for non-competitive pricing
- Limited transparency on unit cost
Tags
apparel-accessories-and-other-apparel-ma, department-of-justice, tx, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $9,539.88 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC. FPI UNICOR -WOMEN PANTS APR FY26 $9,539.88
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 $9,539.88.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-05-31.
What is the unit cost of these women's pants, and how does it compare to similar commercial items?
The provided data does not specify the quantity of pants purchased, making it impossible to calculate a unit cost. Therefore, a direct comparison to similar commercial items is not feasible. Further details on the number of units and specific material/design specifications would be needed for a meaningful cost analysis.
What is the justification for awarding this contract solely to UNICOR, and what are the associated risks?
UNICOR is mandated to provide employment for federal prisoners and often serves as a sole-source provider for correctional facilities. The risk associated with this sole-source approach is the potential for non-competitive pricing, where the government may pay more than it would in an open market. Oversight is crucial to ensure fair pricing.
How effectively does this purchase meet the needs of the Federal Prison System, and what is the long-term value?
This purchase directly addresses the need for essential apparel for female inmates within the federal prison system, contributing to the Bureau of Prisons' operational requirements. The long-term value lies in maintaining inmate welfare and supporting the rehabilitative mission of UNICOR by providing employment opportunities.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: CLOTHING, INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT, INSIGNA, AND JEWELRY
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: $9,540
Exercised Options: $9,540
Current Obligation: $9,540
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15BFA025A00000039
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-06
Current End Date: 2026-05-31
Potential End Date: 2026-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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