FCI Fairton 2nd Qtr Subsistence
JUSTICE, DEPARTMENT OF.FEDERAL PRISON SYSTEM / BUREAU OF PRISONS.FCI FAIRTON · Response deadline: Thu, 19 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The Federal Bureau of Prisons, specifically FCI Fairton (Federal Correctional Institution Fairton) in New Jersey, is seeking subsistence supplies for its second quarter. Subsistence contracts for federal prisons typically cover food and food-related products needed to feed the inmate population and staff dining facilities. NAICS code 311911 corresponds to "Roasted Nuts and Peanut Butter Manufacturing," which suggests at least a portion of this requirement involves processed nut products, shelf-stable protein items, or related goods common in institutional food service.
Federal prison subsistence procurements generally require vendors to meet strict quality standards, packaging requirements, and delivery schedules to maintain continuous food service operations. See the solicitation for the complete list of required items, quantities, and specifications.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, FCI Fairton |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | 15B20427Q00000001 |
| NAICS | 311911 (Roasted Nuts and Peanut Butter Manufacturing) |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside – Total |
| Response deadline | November 19, 2026, 9:00 AM ET |
| Place of performance | Fairton, NJ |
Who can bid
This contract is set aside exclusively for small businesses, meaning only qualified small business concerns under NAICS 311911 may submit offers. To qualify, your business must meet the Small Business Administration's size standard for this NAICS code, which is typically based on average annual receipts over a specified period.
You must be registered in SAM.gov (System for Award Management) and have an active registration through the contract performance period. Your entity must also comply with federal prison vendor requirements, which may include security clearances, background checks, or facility access procedures given the correctional institution setting.
If you are unfamiliar with selling to federal prisons, note that the Bureau of Prisons maintains specific vendor conduct rules, delivery protocols, and product approval processes for institutional food service.
How to put together a competitive bid
Understand the product requirements. Review the solicitation's itemized list, specifications, and any brand-name-or-equal designations. Institutional food service demands consistent quality, precise shelf-life requirements, and specific pack sizes suitable for large-batch preparation.
Price strategically. Subsistence contracts are often awarded on lowest price, technically acceptable (LPTA) basis. Obtain current commodity pricing for nuts, peanut butter, and related processed goods, factoring in freight to Fairton, New Jersey. Consider volatility in agricultural commodity markets across the contract period.
Verify production capacity. Ensure your facility can meet volume requirements and delivery schedules without disruption. The Bureau of Prisons typically does not tolerate supply interruptions in subsistence contracts.
Review delivery terms. The place of performance is FCI Fairton itself. Determine whether deliveries require inside delivery to specific warehouse or kitchen locations, refrigerated transport needs (if applicable), and any delivery appointment scheduling requirements. See the solicitation for exact delivery instructions.
Prepare required representations. Submit all mandatory small business representations, past performance references, and any required certifications. If you plan to use subcontractors, disclose this and ensure they meet any applicable requirements.
Address technical factors. If the solicitation includes technical evaluation factors beyond price, document your quality control processes, food safety certifications (SQF, BRC, or HACCP compliance), and experience with institutional or government customers.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation for 15B20427Q00000001 on SAM.gov to obtain complete specifications, quantities, packaging requirements, evaluation criteria, and instructions for submission. The response deadline is November 19, 2026, at 9:00 AM Eastern Time—allow ample time for system registration, document preparation, and proposal upload, as late submissions are typically not accepted.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →