DOJ's $187,830 purchase order for ballistic vests from Federal Prison Industries, Inc. awarded under SAP
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,783 ($18.8K)
Contractor: Federal Prison Industries, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 182 days
Daily Burn Rate: $103/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FCI FT DIX BALLISTIC VESTS UNICOR QT# 20226481
Place of Performance
Location: LEXINGTON, FAYETTE County, KENTUCKY, 40578
State: Kentucky Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $18,783 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC for work described as: FCI FT DIX BALLISTIC VESTS UNICOR QT# 20226481 Key points: 1. Value for money is difficult to assess without market benchmarks for comparable ballistic vests. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a single award under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting limited market engagement. 3. Risk indicators include reliance on a single supplier and potential for price escalation if market conditions change. 4. Performance context is a firm-fixed-price purchase order for apparel accessories, with a defined delivery period. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the apparel manufacturing industry, specifically for protective gear.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $187,830 for ballistic vests is moderate. Without specific details on the type, quantity, and technical specifications of the vests, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. The firm-fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the absence of competitive bidding under SAP limits the ability to benchmark pricing against market rates. Further analysis would require understanding the unit cost and comparing it to industry standards for comparable protective equipment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves fewer bidders and less formal solicitation processes than full and open competition. The data indicates a single award to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR). While SAP is intended for smaller purchases, the limited competition here means there was likely less opportunity for price discovery and potentially less pressure on the contractor to offer the most competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can mean a higher likelihood of paying a non-competitive price, as the government may not have explored the full range of available market options or received the lowest possible bids.
Public Impact
Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons personnel benefit from the provision of ballistic vests. The services delivered include the manufacturing and supply of protective apparel. The geographic impact is primarily within Kentucky, where the contract is managed. Workforce implications are tied to the manufacturing operations at Federal Prison Industries, Inc.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for higher costs due to limited competition under SAP.
- Reliance on a single supplier (UNICOR) may limit future sourcing flexibility.
- Lack of detailed specifications makes independent value assessment difficult.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the duration of the order.
- Award to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. supports a government-owned manufacturing entity.
- Defined delivery period ensures timely receipt of necessary equipment.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the apparel accessories and other apparel manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on protective gear. The market for ballistic vests is specialized, with a significant portion driven by government and law enforcement procurement. Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR) is a government-owned entity that utilizes inmate labor for manufacturing, positioning it uniquely within this sector. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other government contracts for similar protective equipment, considering factors like material, threat level, and quantity.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR), which is a government-owned corporation and not typically subject to small business set-aside requirements or subcontracting plans in the same way as private sector contractors. Therefore, there are no direct implications for the small business ecosystem or subcontracting opportunities arising from this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons procurement and contract management functions. As a purchase order issued under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, the level of formal oversight might be less intensive than for larger, more complex contracts. Accountability is ensured through the firm-fixed-price terms and the defined delivery schedule. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements, which are not always publicly advertised with extensive detail.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR) Contracts
- Bureau of Prisons Procurement
- Ballistic Body Armor Procurement
- Department of Justice Apparel Contracts
Risk Flags
- Limited Competition
- Sole Source Potential (within SAP context)
- Lack of Detailed Specifications
Tags
department-of-justice, bureau-of-prisons, federal-prison-industries, unicor, ballistic-vests, protective-gear, apparel-manufacturing, purchase-order, simplified-acquisition-procedures, firm-fixed-price, kentucky, limited-competition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $18,783 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC. FCI FT DIX BALLISTIC VESTS UNICOR QT# 20226481
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 $18,783.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the specific type and threat level of the ballistic vests being procured?
The provided data does not specify the exact type or National Institute of Justice (NIJ) threat level of the ballistic vests being procured under this contract. This information is crucial for a comprehensive value assessment, as vests designed for higher threat levels (e.g., Level IV) are significantly more complex and expensive than those for lower levels (e.g., Level IIIA). Without these details, it is impossible to benchmark the price against industry standards or determine if the $187,830 award represents a fair price for the specific protective capabilities required by the Bureau of Prisons.
How does the unit cost of these vests compare to commercially available ballistic vests of similar specifications?
A precise unit cost comparison is not feasible with the current data. The total award is $187,830, and the number of vests procured is not stated, preventing the calculation of a unit price. Furthermore, the specific technical specifications (e.g., material, weight, NIJ rating, coverage area) of the vests are unknown. To perform such a comparison, one would need to know the quantity ordered, the unit price, and the exact specifications, then benchmark this against pricing from other manufacturers offering comparable products through open market channels.
What is Federal Prison Industries, Inc.'s (UNICOR) track record in producing ballistic vests?
Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR) has a long history of manufacturing various goods for government agencies, including apparel and textiles. While they produce a range of items, their specific track record in producing ballistic vests to meet stringent law enforcement and correctional officer safety standards would require a deeper dive into their product quality certifications, past performance reviews, and any reported incidents related to their protective gear. Information on their manufacturing capabilities, quality control processes, and compliance with relevant industry standards (like NIJ) is essential for assessing their reliability in this critical area.
What is the historical spending pattern for ballistic vests by the Bureau of Prisons?
The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for ballistic vests by the Bureau of Prisons. To analyze this, one would need access to historical contract databases to identify previous awards for similar items, noting the quantities, prices, contractors, and contract types over several fiscal years. This would help determine if the current $187,830 award is consistent with past spending, if prices have increased or decreased, and if there has been a consistent reliance on specific suppliers like UNICOR or a broader competitive landscape.
What are the risks associated with procuring ballistic vests from a single supplier like UNICOR?
Procuring critical safety equipment like ballistic vests from a single supplier, even a government entity like UNICOR, carries inherent risks. These include potential supply chain disruptions if UNICOR faces production issues, limited leverage for price negotiation over time, and a lack of market competition that could drive innovation or cost efficiencies. If UNICOR's production capacity is insufficient or their quality control falters, the Bureau of Prisons might face shortages or receive substandard equipment, impacting officer safety. Diversifying suppliers or ensuring robust contingency plans would mitigate these risks.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel 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: $18,783
Exercised Options: $18,783
Current Obligation: $18,783
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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