DOJ awards $94K purchase order for baked goods to East Baking Company, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $94,413 ($94.4K)

Contractor: East Baking Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-06-30

End Date: 2026-06-30

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 24

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: A-1 3RD QTR FY26 - EAST BAKING

Place of Performance

Location: HOLYOKE, HAMPDEN County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01040

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $94,412.5 to EAST BAKING COMPANY, INC. for work described as: A-1 3RD QTR FY26 - EAST BAKING Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a localized or specific need. 2. The award was made under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a focus on efficiency for smaller purchases. 3. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The contract duration is short, aligning with the typical lifecycle of consumable goods. 5. The vendor, East Baking Company, Inc., is a new awardee in this specific context. 6. The purchase order is for miscellaneous food manufacturing, likely for institutional consumption.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

This purchase order for $94,412.50 is for baked goods. Without specific product details or quantities, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the amount is modest for a federal contract. Benchmarking against commercial bakery prices for similar institutional-sized orders would be necessary for a more precise evaluation. The fixed-price structure provides cost predictability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of quotes from pre-qualified vendors or those responding to a public notice for smaller purchases. The specific competition details, such as the number of quotes received and the evaluation process, are not fully detailed in the provided data. This method aims for efficiency but may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can sometimes mean slightly higher prices than could be achieved through broader bidding, though the administrative savings for smaller contracts can offset this.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System are the primary beneficiaries, receiving baked goods as part of their sustenance. The services delivered are the provision of essential food items, specifically baked goods. The geographic impact is likely limited to the correctional facility or facilities served by the Bureau of Prisons in Massachusetts. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to the vendor's production and delivery staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed product specifications makes it difficult to assess if the best value was obtained.
Limited competition may have restricted price discovery, potentially leading to a less optimal price for taxpayers.
The short contract duration might necessitate frequent re-solicitation, increasing administrative overhead.

Positive Signals

The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures suggests an effort to streamline the procurement process for smaller dollar amounts.
The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The award supports a business providing essential goods to a federal institution.

Sector Analysis

The food manufacturing sector is vast, encompassing a wide range of products. Federal agencies, particularly those with large institutional needs like correctional facilities, are significant consumers of food products. Spending in this category is often driven by the need for consistent, bulk supply. This contract fits within the broader category of food services and supplies for government operations, with specific application to the Bureau of Prisons' requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The vendor, East Baking Company, Inc., may or may not be a small business itself, but the contract terms do not mandate small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General, which is responsible for auditing and investigating federal programs. The Bureau of Prisons likely has internal quality control and contract management processes to ensure compliance with the terms of the purchase order, including delivery schedules and product quality. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance metrics are not always publicly available.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Lack of Detailed Performance Metrics
Potential for Price Variation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $94,412.5 to EAST BAKING COMPANY, INC.. A-1 3RD QTR FY26 - EAST BAKING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EAST BAKING COMPANY, 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 $94,412.5.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the typical price range for similar baked goods purchased by federal correctional facilities?

Determining a precise typical price range for similar baked goods purchased by federal correctional facilities is complex without specific product details (e.g., bread, pastries, cookies) and quantities. However, federal agencies often leverage bulk purchasing power. The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has historically awarded contracts for staple food items. For instance, contracts for bread alone can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, depending on the number of facilities served and the volume required. The $94,412.50 award to East Baking Company, Inc. appears to be for a specific, likely limited, set of baked goods or a short-term supply, rather than a comprehensive, long-term food service contract. Benchmarking would require comparing unit costs (e.g., cost per loaf, cost per dozen) against historical BOP awards or similar institutional food service contracts, considering factors like inflation and specific product quality standards.

How does the Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) impact the pricing and efficiency of this contract?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed for purchases generally not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000). For this $94,412.50 contract, SAP allows for a more streamlined and efficient procurement process compared to full and open competition. This typically involves obtaining fewer quotes (often three or more) from qualified sources. While this speeds up the acquisition, it may limit the extent of price competition. The efficiency gains can reduce administrative costs for both the government and the vendor. However, the potential for a less competitive environment means the price might not be as low as it could be under a broader solicitation. The fixed-price nature of this purchase order helps mitigate cost uncertainty, a key benefit regardless of the competition level.

What is the track record of East Baking Company, Inc. with federal contracts?

Based on the provided data, East Baking Company, Inc. is listed as the contractor for this specific purchase order. Without access to a comprehensive federal procurement database that tracks all awards to this entity, it is difficult to definitively assess their overall track record. This award appears to be a new or recent engagement with the Department of Justice's Federal Prison System. Further investigation would be needed to determine if they have prior contracts with this agency or other federal entities, the types of goods or services previously provided, their performance history on those contracts, and their size status (small or large business). The current data point alone does not provide sufficient information to establish a long-term track record.

What are the potential risks associated with procuring baked goods through a purchase order?

Procuring baked goods through a purchase order, especially for institutional use, carries several potential risks. Firstly, quality control can be a concern; ensuring consistent freshness, nutritional value, and adherence to any specific dietary or safety standards requires diligent oversight. Secondly, supply chain disruptions, such as ingredient shortages or transportation issues, could impact timely delivery, potentially affecting inmate meal services. Thirdly, without robust competition, the price might not reflect the best value. Lastly, the short-term nature of a purchase order might lead to less favorable pricing compared to longer-term agreements that allow vendors to optimize production and logistics. Ensuring clear specifications and performance standards in the purchase order is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How does this contract compare to other federal spending on food products for correctional facilities?

This $94,412.50 purchase order is a relatively small component within the broader federal spending on food products for correctional facilities. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), part of the Department of Justice, manages a large inmate population across numerous facilities nationwide. Annual food service contracts for the BOP can amount to hundreds of millions of dollars, covering a wide array of food items, from staples like bread and meat to fresh produce and dairy. This specific award likely represents a localized or specialized need, perhaps for a particular type of baked good or a short-term supplement to existing provisions at one or a few facilities in Massachusetts. It is not indicative of the overall scale of federal food procurement for the prison system.

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

Address: 104 WHITING FARMS RD, HOLYOKE, MA, 01040

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $94,413

Exercised Options: $94,413

Current Obligation: $94,413

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline