Justice Department awards $108.6K for beef patties, highlighting short-term food supply needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $108,600 ($108.6K)

Contractor: Shamrock Meats, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-04-27

Contract Duration: 21 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FCC LOMPOC FY26 A1 2ND QTR SHAMROCK BEEF PATTIES AND GROUND BEEF

Place of Performance

Location: LOMPOC, SANTA BARBARA County, CALIFORNIA, 93436

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $108,600 to SHAMROCK MEATS, INC. for work described as: FCC LOMPOC FY26 A1 2ND QTR SHAMROCK BEEF PATTIES AND GROUND BEEF Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a specific, short-term need rather than a large-scale food service program. 2. Competition under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) indicates a streamlined process for smaller dollar value procurements. 3. The short duration of the contract (21 days) points to an immediate or urgent requirement. 4. The award to Shamrock Meats, Inc. suggests a focus on local or regional suppliers for perishable goods. 5. The product category, 'All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing,' is broad, but the specific item is clear. 6. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for this specific purchase.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Assessing the value for $108,600 in beef patties requires understanding the quantity and specific grade of meat. Without this detail, direct comparison is difficult. However, for a 21-day supply for a federal facility, the price appears within a reasonable range for bulk food procurement. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, which is a positive aspect for this type of consumable good.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which is typically used for procurements valued between the micro-purchase threshold and the simplified acquisition threshold ($250,000). This suggests that the government sought competition among eligible vendors. While the exact number of bids isn't specified, SAP generally aims for broad participation within its scope.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP for a relatively small dollar amount ensures that taxpayers receive competitive pricing, preventing overpayment for essential food supplies.

Public Impact

Inmates at federal correctional facilities will receive food products, specifically beef patties and ground beef. The services delivered are the provision of essential food supplies for a federal institution. The geographic impact is localized to the facility served by the Department of Justice's Federal Prison System in California. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to the supply chain and delivery personnel for Shamrock Meats, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price fluctuations in the beef market impacting future procurements.
Ensuring consistent quality and safety standards for food products supplied to federal facilities.

Positive Signals

Successful competition under SAP indicates adherence to procurement regulations for smaller purchases.
Award to a specific vendor suggests a functioning supply chain for essential goods.
Fixed-price contract provides budget predictability for this specific food purchase.

Sector Analysis

The food manufacturing and distribution sector is vast, encompassing numerous suppliers for government agencies. Federal agencies like the Department of Justice are significant consumers of food products to support correctional facilities. Procurement in this sector often involves competitive bidding to ensure value for money, with specific requirements for quality, safety, and delivery timelines. This contract represents a small but essential component of the broader federal food supply chain.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting is not explicitly provided for this contract. As it was competed under SAP, it's possible that small businesses were encouraged to participate, but there's no specific indication of a set-aside. The value of the contract is modest, suggesting it might not be a primary target for large subcontracting efforts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Justice's Federal Prison System. Standard procurement regulations and quality assurance processes would apply. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General oversight would be involved if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Food Services
Department of Justice Commissary Operations
General Services Administration (GSA) Food Procurement Schedules

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may indicate an urgent need or a stop-gap measure.
Lack of detailed specifications for beef quality could lead to variability.
Reliance on a single vendor for a critical food item requires robust quality assurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $108,600 to SHAMROCK MEATS, INC.. FCC LOMPOC FY26 A1 2ND QTR SHAMROCK BEEF PATTIES AND GROUND BEEF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SHAMROCK MEATS, 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 $108,600.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-04-27.

What is the typical unit cost for beef patties and ground beef procured by federal agencies of similar size?

Determining the precise unit cost for beef patties and ground beef without specific quantity and quality details (e.g., percentage lean, grade) is challenging. However, federal food procurement data suggests that bulk purchases of ground beef can range from $3 to $7 per pound, depending on market conditions, specifications, and volume. For beef patties, the cost per unit would also vary significantly based on weight and formulation. The $108,600 award for a 21-day period implies a substantial quantity, and benchmarking against historical contracts for correctional facilities or other large institutions would provide a more accurate comparison. Without specific quantity data, a direct per-unit cost comparison is speculative.

What is the track record of Shamrock Meats, Inc. in supplying federal agencies?

Shamrock Meats, Inc. has received this specific purchase order from the Department of Justice's Federal Prison System. Further analysis would require examining federal procurement databases (like FPDS) to identify any prior contracts or purchase orders awarded to Shamrock Meats, Inc. by the federal government. Understanding their history, including past performance, delivery timeliness, and any quality issues or disputes, would provide insight into their reliability as a federal contractor. The current award suggests they are capable of meeting the basic requirements for this procurement.

How does the competition level under SAP affect pricing for food supplies?

Competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) is intended to ensure fair and reasonable pricing for procurements below the $250,000 threshold. While SAP allows for more streamlined processes than full and open competition, it still encourages multiple bids. The level of competition achieved for this specific contract (number of bidders) would directly influence price discovery. A higher number of bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing for taxpayers. Conversely, if only a few vendors participated, the pricing might be less aggressive. The specific market dynamics for beef products in California would also play a role.

What are the potential risks associated with procuring perishable food items like beef patties?

Procuring perishable food items like beef patties carries several risks. These include spoilage during transit or storage, potential contamination leading to foodborne illnesses, and supply chain disruptions (e.g., weather, disease outbreaks affecting livestock). For federal agencies, ensuring food safety and quality is paramount, especially in correctional facilities. Risks also include price volatility in the commodity markets for beef. Mitigation strategies involve stringent quality control measures, adherence to food safety regulations (like HACCP), reliable logistics, and potentially building in contingency plans for supply shortages.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns for food services within the Federal Prison System?

This $108,600 contract for beef patties and ground beef is a small component of the Federal Prison System's overall food service budget. The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) spends hundreds of millions of dollars annually on food and subsistence. Such awards are typically for specific items or short-term needs, often fulfilled through competitive processes like SAP. Larger, long-term contracts usually cover a broader range of food items and services. This specific award likely addresses an immediate need or a gap in a larger supply agreement, reflecting the ongoing operational requirements for feeding a large inmate population.

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: 15B61726Q00000008

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 116 1/2 N MAIN ST, SHAMROCK, TX, 79079

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $108,600

Exercised Options: $108,600

Current Obligation: $108,600

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline