UNICOR to supply inmate eyeglasses for $300,000 over 364 days, awarded via competitive SAP
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $30,000 ($30.0K)
Contractor: Federal Prison Industries, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2025-10-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $82/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: UNICOR TO PROVIDE INMATE RX GLASSES.
Place of Performance
Location: LEXINGTON, FAYETTE County, KENTUCKY, 40578
State: Kentucky Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $30,000 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC for work described as: UNICOR TO PROVIDE INMATE RX GLASSES. Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the specialized nature of inmate services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a standard procurement process was followed. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the established nature of the supplier and service. 4. Performance context is within the scope of UNICOR's mission to provide inmate labor opportunities. 5. Sector positioning is within miscellaneous manufacturing, supporting correctional facility operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $300,000 for inmate eyeglasses over one year is a modest sum for federal spending. Benchmarking against similar contracts for correctional facility supplies is difficult without more specific data on the types and quantities of eyeglasses. However, given UNICOR's mandate to utilize inmate labor, the pricing is likely structured to reflect these operational costs rather than purely market-driven commercial rates. The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting it was likely a full and open competition among eligible vendors. The award of a single purchase order indicates that at least one responsive bid was received and deemed acceptable. The use of SAP for awards under the federal micro-purchase threshold generally promotes efficient procurement while still allowing for competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Competing this requirement, even under SAP, likely resulted in a fair market price for the government, ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential inmate services.
Public Impact
Inmates within federal correctional facilities will receive necessary prescription eyeglasses. The Bureau of Prisons will ensure a critical health service is provided to its population. The contract supports the operational needs of federal prisons, contributing to inmate well-being and rehabilitation programs. Workforce implications are positive for inmates employed by UNICOR in the manufacturing process.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for delays in delivery if manufacturing or supply chain issues arise.
- Ensuring consistent quality control for a large volume of prescription eyewear can be challenging.
Positive Signals
- UNICOR has a long-standing mission to provide goods and services to federal agencies, indicating established processes.
- The firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the Bureau of Prisons.
- The use of inmate labor aligns with the correctional system's goals of vocational training and employment.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the miscellaneous manufacturing sector, specifically supporting government operations. UNICOR, as a federal agency, operates within this space to provide employment for federal prisoners and supply products to government entities. The market for correctional facility supplies is specialized, with government-mandated suppliers like UNICOR often playing a significant role.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to UNICOR, a federal agency, not a small business. Therefore, there are no direct small business set-aside implications. However, UNICOR is mandated to use inmate labor, and the extent to which subcontractors are utilized for specialized components or services could present opportunities for small businesses within the supply chain.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The Bureau of Prisons, as the contracting agency, will monitor performance. UNICOR itself has internal oversight mechanisms for its manufacturing and supply operations. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) could potentially review this contract if performance issues or significant concerns arise.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR) Operations
- Bureau of Prisons Inmate Services
- Correctional Facility Healthcare Supplies
- Federal Government Optical Goods Procurement
Risk Flags
- Potential for delivery delays
- Quality control consistency
Tags
manufacturing, inmate-services, federal-prison-system, bureau-of-prisons, purchase-order, competed-under-sap, firm-fixed-price, miscellaneous-manufacturing, health-services, kentucky
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $30,000 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC. UNICOR TO PROVIDE INMATE RX GLASSES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, 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 $30,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What is UNICOR's track record in supplying optical goods to federal correctional facilities?
UNICOR, formally known as Federal Prison Industries, Inc., has a long-standing mandate to provide goods and services to federal agencies, including the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Its primary mission is to employ federal inmates in meaningful work opportunities. While specific historical data on the volume and consistency of eyeglasses supplied to the BOP is not readily available in the public domain, UNICOR has historically supplied a range of products, from furniture to textiles, to government entities. Their experience in manufacturing and logistics suggests a capability to fulfill such requirements. However, like any large-scale supplier, past performance reviews and any documented issues regarding quality, delivery, or cost would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment. The current award indicates continued confidence from the BOP in UNICOR's ability to meet this specific need.
How does the $300,000 contract value compare to previous spending on inmate eyeglasses?
Direct historical spending comparisons for inmate eyeglasses are not publicly available in a readily accessible format. The $300,000 figure represents a single purchase order for a 364-day period, suggesting an estimated annual cost. Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) operates under a unique model where pricing is often influenced by inmate labor costs rather than purely commercial market rates. To benchmark effectively, one would need to analyze the quantity and types of eyeglasses specified in the contract, the complexity of prescription fulfillment, and compare these to similar contracts within correctional systems or bulk optical supply agreements. Without such granular data, a precise value-for-money comparison to past spending is challenging, but the amount appears modest for the federal prison system's needs over a year.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential delays in delivery due to manufacturing or supply chain disruptions, and challenges in maintaining consistent quality control for a large volume of prescription eyewear. Mitigation strategies are inherent in the contract structure and the nature of the supplier. The firm fixed-price (FFP) nature of the award shifts the risk of cost overruns to UNICOR. UNICOR's established role within the federal prison system and its mandate to provide these services suggest a vested interest in meeting performance expectations. Furthermore, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) will likely have quality assurance personnel overseeing the contract. Any significant deviations from specifications or delivery schedules would trigger contractual remedies available to the BOP.
How effective is UNICOR in fulfilling its mandate to provide goods and services while employing inmates?
UNICOR's effectiveness is a subject of ongoing discussion and analysis. Its mandate is twofold: to provide goods and services to government agencies and to offer meaningful employment and vocational training to federal inmates. Reports from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) have periodically examined UNICOR's operations, sometimes highlighting challenges related to profitability, product quality, and market relevance. However, UNICOR continues to be a significant supplier to the federal government, and its role in inmate employment is a key component of correctional policy. The success of individual contracts, like this one for eyeglasses, contributes to the overall effectiveness assessment, demonstrating the ability to meet specific agency needs.
What is the historical spending trend for optical goods or inmate support services within the Bureau of Prisons?
Detailed historical spending trends specifically for optical goods or inmate support services within the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) are not readily available in public databases. Federal spending on inmate welfare and support is substantial and encompasses a wide range of services, including healthcare, food, clothing, and educational programs. Optical services are a component of healthcare. UNICOR's involvement suggests a strategic decision by the BOP to leverage inmate labor for cost-effectiveness and rehabilitative purposes. Analyzing broader BOP healthcare or inmate supply budgets would provide context, but isolating the exact historical spend on eyeglasses is difficult without access to internal BOP procurement data or specialized reports.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: CLOTHING, INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT, INSIGNA, AND JEWELRY
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Government of the United States
Address: 3301 LEESTOWN RD, LEXINGTON, KY, 40511
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $30,000
Exercised Options: $30,000
Current Obligation: $30,000
Actual Outlays: $8,453
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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