DOJ's $105K meat and subsistence contract awarded to Shaver Foods LLC for inmate population

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $105,331 ($105.3K)

Contractor: Shaver Foods LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 21

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 3RD QTR MEAT & SUBSISTENCE FOR INMATE POPULATION

Place of Performance

Location: FAYETTEVILLE, WASHINGTON County, ARKANSAS, 72701

State: Arkansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $105,331.4 to SHAVER FOODS LLC for work described as: FY26 3RD QTR MEAT & SUBSISTENCE FOR INMATE POPULATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a competitive process under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order, indicating predictable costs. 3. Duration of 90 days suggests a short-term need for these supplies. 4. The contract falls under 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing' NAICS code. 5. Awarded to Shaver Foods LLC, a single entity for this specific procurement. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses. 7. Geographic focus appears to be Arkansas (AR) based on the state code.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar recent procurements for correctional facilities. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the specified period. However, the per-unit cost of meat and subsistence items for inmates is not readily available for direct comparison to market rates or other federal contracts.

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 specific number of bids received is not detailed, SAP aims for efficient procurement of goods and services below certain dollar thresholds. The limited competition under SAP may result in less aggressive pricing compared to a broader solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can sometimes lead to higher prices than might be achieved through a wider bidding process, though it also ensures timely delivery of essential goods.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the inmates within the Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons. The service delivered is the provision of meat and subsistence items, crucial for daily sustenance. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within correctional facilities in or near Arkansas. This contract supports the operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons, ensuring food supply continuity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases in future solicitations due to limited competition.
Lack of transparency on the specific breakdown of 'subsistence' items beyond meat.
Dependence on a single vendor for a critical supply chain component during the contract period.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the specified period.
Awarded under SAP, suggesting an efficient procurement process for a relatively small dollar amount.
Clear delivery period (April 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026) allows for focused management.

Sector Analysis

The federal government is a significant purchaser of food products for various institutions, including correctional facilities. The market for meat and subsistence items is broad, with numerous suppliers. This contract represents a small portion of the overall federal spending on food services, likely falling within the broader category of institutional food supply contracts. Benchmarking requires comparison to similar contracts for correctional facilities or other government entities with large populations.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific procurement appears minimal, as larger or established suppliers likely participated.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Bureau of Prisons' contracting and procurement division within the Department of Justice. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price purchase order, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements, which are not always publicly detailed beyond the award notice. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Department of Justice Commissary Operations
Bureau of Prisons Inmate Welfare Fund
General Services Administration (GSA) Food Procurement Schedules

Risk Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Lack of detailed cost breakdown for subsistence items
No small business set-aside identified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $105,331.4 to SHAVER FOODS LLC. FY26 3RD QTR MEAT & SUBSISTENCE FOR INMATE POPULATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SHAVER FOODS LLC.

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 $105,331.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for meat and subsistence items by the Federal Prison System in Arkansas?

Historical spending data for meat and subsistence items by the Federal Prison System specifically in Arkansas is not directly available from this single contract award. To assess historical patterns, one would need to analyze procurement data for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities located in Arkansas over multiple fiscal years. This would involve searching for similar contracts, purchase orders, and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicles awarded for food supplies. Factors to consider would include the number of inmates served, the types of food procured (e.g., fresh meat, processed meats, dairy, produce), contract values, and the vendors awarded these contracts. Analyzing trends in pricing, volume, and vendor diversity over time would provide a clearer picture of historical spending.

How does the price per pound of meat in this contract compare to market rates or other federal contracts?

Direct comparison of the price per pound of meat within this contract to market rates or other federal contracts is not feasible with the provided data. The contract value of $105,331.40 covers 'meat & subsistence' for a 90-day period for an unspecified inmate population size. 'Subsistence' is a broad term that likely includes more than just meat, making it impossible to isolate the cost of meat alone. Furthermore, the contract does not specify the types or cuts of meat. To perform such a comparison, detailed line-item pricing for specific meat products and their quantities would be required, along with comparable data from other federal food service contracts or reliable market price indices for institutional food procurement.

What are the specific 'subsistence' items included beyond meat, and what is their cost allocation?

The provided data for this contract does not specify the 'subsistence' items included beyond meat, nor does it offer a cost allocation for these items. 'Subsistence' typically refers to basic food and drink necessary for survival. In a correctional setting, this could encompass a wide range of food products such as dairy, bread, fruits, vegetables, grains, and other staples. Without a detailed product list or a breakdown of costs associated with each category of food, it is impossible to determine the specific subsistence items or their individual contribution to the total contract value. This lack of detail limits a thorough analysis of the value and composition of the food being procured.

What is Shaver Foods LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly for correctional facilities?

Information regarding Shaver Foods LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially for correctional facilities, is not detailed in the provided award data. To assess their track record, a search of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary to identify past awards, contract performance history, and any reported issues or successes. Key aspects to investigate would include the types of goods or services previously provided, the agencies they have served, contract values, and whether they have fulfilled contracts with the Bureau of Prisons or other correctional systems. A positive track record with similar entities would indicate reliability, while a history of performance issues might raise concerns.

What is the estimated inmate population size this contract is intended to serve?

The provided data does not explicitly state the estimated inmate population size that this contract is intended to serve. The contract value of $105,331.40 is for 'MEAT & SUBSISTENCE FOR INMATE POPULATION' over a 90-day period (April 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026). To estimate the population, one would need to know the average daily cost of food per inmate for the Bureau of Prisons or similar institutions and then divide the total contract value by that daily cost, accounting for the 90-day duration. Without such per-inmate cost benchmarks, determining the population size from the contract value alone is speculative.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Food Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15B51826Q000000012

Offers Received: 21

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1419 S BEECHWOOD AVE, FAYETTEVILLE, AR, 72701

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $105,331

Exercised Options: $105,331

Current Obligation: $105,331

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline