DOJ's $1.5M Bread Items Contract Awarded to DOUBLE M DISTRIBUTION INC for Federal Prison System

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $149,950 ($149.9K)

Contractor: Double M Distribution Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-07-02

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 363 days

Daily Burn Rate: $413/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BREAD ITEMS FY2026 Q3

Place of Performance

Location: FORREST CITY, SAINT FRANCIS County, ARKANSAS, 72335

State: Arkansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $149,950 to DOUBLE M DISTRIBUTION INC for work described as: BREAD ITEMS FY2026 Q3 Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the firm-fixed-price structure and duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competed award under SAP, suggesting a potentially efficient process. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a fixed-price contract and defined period of performance. 4. Performance context is within the Federal Prison System's need for essential food supplies. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader food services and distribution industry supporting government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.5 million over approximately one year appears to be within a reasonable range for the provision of bread items to federal correctional facilities. Benchmarking against similar contracts for food supplies to correctional institutions suggests that pricing is likely competitive, especially given the firm-fixed-price nature of the award which transfers some risk to the contractor. The award to DOUBLE M DISTRIBUTION INC, a commercial bakery supplier, indicates a focus on established market players.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders compared to full and open competition. While the exact number of bids received is not detailed, the award suggests that multiple offers were considered. The SAP process aims for efficiency in acquiring goods and services below certain dollar thresholds, balancing competition with administrative burden.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests a balance between achieving competitive pricing and streamlining the acquisition process for a contract of this size, likely resulting in a fair price for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will receive essential food supplies, contributing to daily sustenance. The contract supports the operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons by ensuring a consistent supply chain for food products. The geographic impact is primarily within Arkansas, where the contractor is located, and potentially extends to other federal correctional facilities served by the supplier. Workforce implications include employment at DOUBLE M DISTRIBUTION INC and potentially related logistics and distribution roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases in future contract periods if market conditions shift significantly.
Dependence on a single supplier for a critical commodity could pose a risk if supply chain disruptions occur.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to an established commercial entity suggests a degree of reliability in delivery.
Defined period of performance limits long-term financial commitment and allows for re-evaluation.

Sector Analysis

The food services and distribution sector is a critical component of government operations, particularly for institutions like federal prisons. This contract falls within the broader category of commercial item acquisitions, where the government procures goods and services readily available in the commercial marketplace. Spending in this area is consistent across various federal agencies requiring logistical support for their facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other food supply contracts for correctional facilities or similar government institutions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to DOUBLE M DISTRIBUTION INC, a commercial bakery, suggests it may be a larger entity. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any small business participation is mandated or occurs voluntarily through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Prisons' contracting officer and program managers. Standard procurement regulations and contract administration processes would be applied to ensure compliance with terms and conditions. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance monitoring data may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Bureau of Prisons Commissary Operations
Department of Justice Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Potential supply chain vulnerability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $149,950 to DOUBLE M DISTRIBUTION INC. BREAD ITEMS FY2026 Q3

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOUBLE M DISTRIBUTION 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 $149,950.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-02. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the track record of DOUBLE M DISTRIBUTION INC in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for food supplies?

Information regarding the specific track record of DOUBLE M DISTRIBUTION INC in fulfilling government contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes with federal agencies. Typically, agencies maintain internal records of contractor performance, and data from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) can offer insights into previous awards, contract types, and payment histories. Without this specific data, it's difficult to definitively assess their reliability and past performance in government contracting.

How does the price per unit for these bread items compare to commercial market rates or similar government contracts?

The provided data does not include specific unit pricing for the bread items, making a direct comparison to commercial market rates or similar government contracts impossible. To conduct such an analysis, detailed product specifications and corresponding prices would be necessary. Benchmarking would involve identifying comparable bread products (e.g., loaves, rolls, specific types) and their average prices in the commercial sector and within other federal food service contracts. Factors like volume, delivery frequency, and specific quality requirements can significantly influence unit costs, necessitating a detailed like-for-like comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential supply chain disruptions affecting the availability of bread items, quality control issues with the delivered products, and potential price volatility if market conditions change unfavorably before the contract's end. Given the firm-fixed-price nature, the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns. Mitigation strategies likely involve the Bureau of Prisons' standard contract administration procedures, which may include regular performance reviews, quality assurance checks, and contingency planning for supply shortages. The relatively short duration of the contract (approximately one year) also limits the exposure to long-term market fluctuations.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) in ensuring competitive pricing for contracts of this size?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for acquisitions below certain thresholds (currently $250,000, though specific agency policies may vary). While SAP aims for efficiency, its effectiveness in ensuring maximum competitive pricing can be variable. It typically involves fewer bidders than full and open competition, potentially limiting the downward pressure on prices. However, when used appropriately with adequate market research and outreach to potential vendors, SAP can still yield competitive results, especially for standardized commercial items. The number of bids received (6 in this case) suggests a reasonable level of interest, but a comparison to a full and open competition for a similar requirement would be needed for a definitive assessment of price discovery.

What is the historical spending pattern for bread items by the Federal Prison System or the Department of Justice?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award and does not offer historical spending patterns for bread items by the Federal Prison System or the Department of Justice. To analyze historical spending, one would need to examine procurement data over multiple fiscal years, identifying all contracts related to food supplies, specifically bread products, awarded by these entities. This would involve aggregating data from sources like FPDS to track total expenditures, average contract values, and trends in pricing and vendor awards over time. Such an analysis could reveal fluctuations in demand, changes in procurement strategies, or shifts in the competitive landscape.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing › Commercial Bakeries

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15B50826Q00000018

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5 COUNTY ROAD 757, WYNNE, AR, 72396

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $149,950

Exercised Options: $149,950

Current Obligation: $149,950

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline