DOJ's $9,106 contract for prison-made textiles awarded to UNICOR, expiring May 2026
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,106 ($9.1K)
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: $166/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FPI UNICOR - BRWN SHEETS & BRWN WASHCLOTHS APRFY26 $9106.00
Place of Performance
Location: NAVAL AIR STATION/JRB, TARRANT County, TEXAS, 76127
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $9,106 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC for work described as: FPI UNICOR - BRWN SHEETS & BRWN WASHCLOTHS APRFY26 $9106.00 Key points: 1. UNICOR, a government-owned entity, is the sole provider of these specific goods. 2. The contract value is minimal, suggesting a small-scale or pilot purchase. 3. Limited competition is inherent due to UNICOR's mandated role. 4. The sector is apparel manufacturing, serving internal government needs.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The price of $9,106 for sheets and washcloths is difficult to benchmark without specific quantities and quality standards. Given it's a government-mandated supplier, pricing may not reflect market competitiveness.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract is awarded under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) and is a BPA Call, implying it's a pre-negotiated agreement. As it's with UNICOR, competition is inherently limited, as UNICOR is often the designated supplier for federal prison industries.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is likely minimal due to the small contract value. However, the broader UNICOR program represents a significant cost to taxpayers for inmate labor and operations.
Public Impact
Provides essential items for federal correctional facilities. Supports the Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) program, which employs federal inmates. Ensures a consistent supply chain for specific textile products within the Bureau of Prisons.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competitive pricing due to sole-source nature.
- Potential for higher costs compared to commercial alternatives.
- Limited transparency in cost breakdown.
Positive Signals
- Supports inmate rehabilitation and job training programs.
- Ensures supply of necessary goods for federal institutions.
- Utilizes existing government infrastructure.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the apparel manufacturing sector, specifically for institutional textiles. Spending benchmarks for such items vary widely based on quantity, quality, and specific product type. UNICOR's pricing is generally considered higher than market rates.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small businesses, as it is awarded to Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR), a government-owned entity. UNICOR's mission is to provide employment for federal inmates.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is primarily handled by the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Prisons. The Federal Prison Industries program itself is subject to congressional oversight, though specific contract-level oversight for small procurements like this may be less intensive.
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
- Potential for non-competitive pricing
- Limited transparency on specific product details
- Mandated supplier relationship
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 $9,106 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC. FPI UNICOR - BRWN SHEETS & BRWN WASHCLOTHS APRFY26 $9106.00
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 $9,106.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-05-31.
What is the unit cost of the sheets and washcloths provided under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the quantity of sheets and washcloths, making it impossible to determine the per-unit cost. The total contract value is $9,106.00. To assess value, a breakdown of items and quantities would be necessary to compare against market prices for similar institutional-grade textiles.
What are the risks associated with awarding contracts to UNICOR?
The primary risk is the lack of competitive pricing, as UNICOR is often a sole-source provider mandated by law. This can lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to open-market procurement. Additionally, quality control and production efficiency can sometimes be concerns within government-run manufacturing operations.
How effective is UNICOR in meeting the needs of the Bureau of Prisons for textile products?
UNICOR generally fulfills the basic needs for essential items like sheets and washcloths, ensuring a consistent supply for federal correctional facilities. Its effectiveness is tied to its mandate to employ inmates and provide necessary goods, though the efficiency and cost-effectiveness relative to commercial markets are subjects of ongoing debate.
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: $9,106
Exercised Options: $9,106
Current Obligation: $9,106
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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