DOJ's $20.8M food contract awarded to APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC for federal prisons

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,844 ($20.8K)

Contractor: Apex Food Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-15

End Date: 2026-04-15

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 24

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: A-1 3RD QTR FY26 APEX

Place of Performance

Location: LITTLE ROCK, PULASKI County, ARKANSAS, 72207

State: Arkansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $20,844 to APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC for work described as: A-1 3RD QTR FY26 APEX Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the firm-fixed-price structure and competitive award. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially healthy market for prison food supplies. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the short duration and established contractor. 4. Performance context is within the standard operational needs of the Federal Prison System. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader government procurement of essential services. 6. The contract type (Purchase Order) suggests a straightforward procurement for goods.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $20.8 million for a one-year period for food supplies to federal prisons is within a reasonable range for such services. As a firm-fixed-price purchase order, the pricing is set upfront, which can offer cost certainty. Benchmarking against similar contracts for correctional facility food services would provide a more precise value assessment, but the competitive nature of the award suggests a market-driven price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating that it was likely advertised and open to a broad range of potential bidders. The presence of 24 bids suggests robust competition for this requirement. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process for this food supply contract is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government received competitive offers for essential goods.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will receive essential food supplies. The contract supports the operational continuity of correctional facilities managed by the Bureau of Prisons. The geographic impact is primarily within the facilities served by APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC, with a national reach for federal prisons. The contract supports jobs within the food manufacturing and distribution sector, specifically for APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions impacting food delivery to federal prisons.
Ensuring consistent quality and nutritional standards of food products over the contract term.

Positive Signals

Award to a single vendor for a defined period reduces administrative burden.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the agency.
Competitive award process suggests a fair market price was achieved.

Sector Analysis

The federal government is a significant purchaser of food products and services, supporting a vast network of institutions including military bases, federal prisons, and other agencies. This contract falls within the broader government procurement of food manufacturing and distribution, a sector characterized by numerous suppliers ranging from large corporations to smaller regional providers. Benchmarking against other large-scale food service contracts for government facilities would reveal cost efficiencies and market trends.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC, and there is no indication of a small business set-aside. The presence of 24 bids suggests that both large and small businesses may have participated in the competition. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were included or are likely to arise from this award.

Oversight & Accountability

As a Purchase Order awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, oversight is typically managed by the contracting officer and the agency's internal procurement and financial management systems. The Bureau of Prisons likely has quality assurance personnel to monitor delivery and product standards. Inspector General oversight would apply if significant issues or fraud were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Bureau of Prisons Procurement
Department of Justice Supply Contracts
Government Food Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions
Ensuring consistent food quality and safety standards

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $20,844 to APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC. A-1 3RD QTR FY26 APEX

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APEX FOOD GROUP, 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 $20,844.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-15. End: 2026-04-15.

What is the track record of APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC with federal contracts?

Information regarding APEX FOOD GROUP, LLC's specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would involve searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov and FPDS-NG for past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Understanding their past performance, particularly with similar agencies or contract types, is crucial for assessing reliability and future performance potential. Without this historical data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their experience and success in fulfilling government requirements.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar food supplies?

The provided data does not include specific unit prices or detailed product specifications, making a direct comparison to market rates challenging. However, the fact that the contract was competed under SAP with 24 bids suggests that the price achieved is likely competitive. To perform a thorough benchmark, one would need to identify comparable federal or large institutional food service contracts, analyze their pricing structures (e.g., per-meal cost, cost per pound for specific items), and consider factors like geographic location, delivery logistics, and product quality standards. The firm-fixed-price nature of this award provides cost certainty, but its true value is best assessed against a robust market analysis.

What are the primary risks associated with this food supply contract?

The primary risks associated with this food supply contract include potential disruptions in the supply chain, which could impact the timely delivery of essential food items to federal prisons. Quality control is another significant risk; ensuring that the food products consistently meet nutritional and safety standards is paramount. Furthermore, price volatility for certain food commodities could pose a risk if not adequately managed within the firm-fixed-price structure, although the contract duration of one year mitigates this to some extent. Contractor performance issues, such as delivery delays or product quality failures, could also arise, necessitating contingency planning by the Bureau of Prisons.

How effective is the competitive process in ensuring value for this contract?

The competitive process, involving 24 bids under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, is generally effective in ensuring value for this contract. A higher number of bidders typically fosters price competition, driving down costs for the government and encouraging contractors to offer their best terms. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type further enhances value by locking in costs, reducing the risk of cost overruns for the agency. However, the effectiveness also depends on the clarity of the solicitation requirements and the evaluation criteria used. Ensuring that the lowest price technically acceptable or best value approach is rigorously applied maximizes the competitive advantage.

What is the historical spending pattern for food supplies in federal prisons?

Historical spending patterns for food supplies in federal prisons represent a significant and consistent expenditure for the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Prisons. These costs are influenced by inmate population size, dietary requirements, food commodity prices, and the efficiency of procurement strategies. Over time, agencies aim to leverage economies of scale and competitive contracting to manage these costs effectively. Analyzing multi-year spending data would reveal trends in overall expenditure, average cost per inmate, and the impact of market fluctuations or policy changes on the total budget allocated for food services within the federal prison system.

Are there any specific performance metrics or KPIs tied to this contract?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) associated with this particular contract. Typically, government contracts for essential services like food supply include clauses related to delivery timeliness, product quality (e.g., adherence to nutritional guidelines, freshness), order accuracy, and potentially customer satisfaction surveys from the receiving facilities. The Bureau of Prisons would likely have internal procedures to monitor these aspects, and formal performance evaluations might be conducted. The absence of explicit KPIs in the summary data necessitates a review of the full contract document for detailed performance expectations.

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: 15B51926Q00000005

Offers Received: 24

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Apex Food Group LLC

Address: 2 ARMISTEAD RD, LITTLE ROCK, AR, 72207

Business Categories: Category Business, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,844

Exercised Options: $20,844

Current Obligation: $20,844

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline