Open federal opportunities

UPDATED ( 11/4/2027) FCI FORT DIX FY27 1ST QTR HALAL - JANUARY 1 2027- MARCH 31, 2027.

JUSTICE, DEPARTMENT OF.FEDERAL PRISON SYSTEM / BUREAU OF PRISONS.FCI FORT DIX · Response deadline: Tue, 16 Nov 2027

What the government is buying

The Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Fort Dix, part of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), plans to award a contract for Halal food products. This covers the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, with delivery performance from January 1, 2027 through March 31, 2027. Halal food procurement in federal corrections facilities serves incarcerated individuals who observe Islamic dietary laws, which prohibit certain foods and require specific preparation and certification standards.

NAICS 311999—"All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing"—captures this work. This classification covers specialty food manufacturing that doesn't fit neatly into other categories, including religiously certified food products prepared under distinct standards.

Key facts

Note: The "UPDATED" flag in the title suggests this notice may contain revised information; verify you are reviewing the most current version on SAM.gov.

Who can bid

This opportunity is set aside exclusively for small businesses under NAICS 311999. To qualify, a business must meet the Small Business Administration's size standard for this code—see the solicitation for the specific employee or revenue threshold. The business must also satisfy any applicable Halal certification requirements that BOP may specify, which see the solicitation to confirm.

Outside these constraints, this is open to all eligible small businesses regardless of socioeconomic programs. No HUBZone, 8(a), service-disabled veteran-owned, or women-owned set-aside applies here.

Potential bidders should note that BOP food service contracts typically require vendors to meet institutional delivery schedules, security clearance protocols for facility access, and product specifications that see the solicitation.

How to put together a competitive bid

For Halal food supply contracts, focus on these areas:

Certification and documentation. Obtain recognized Halal certification from an accredited body. Be prepared to submit certification documents with your bid and maintain chain-of-custody records through delivery. Costs of certification and audit compliance should figure into pricing.

Product sourcing and inventory planning. Map your supply chain for proteins, prepared meals, or other items specified—see the solicitation—which must remain available across the three-month period. January through March covers post-holiday demand shifts; ensure your suppliers can commit capacity.

Packaging and labeling. Institutional food contracts often require bulk packaging with specific labeling for inventory tracking and allergen disclosure. Halal products need clear religious certification marks. Verify exact requirements, which see the solicitation.

Pricing strategy. The "UPDATED" designation suggests potential changes to quantities or line items from earlier drafts. Build unit pricing that accounts for commodity volatility in meat and protein markets. Consider whether to offer discounts for volume commitments or early delivery windows.

Past performance and references. If you hold similar contracts—particularly with BOP, other correctional facilities, or institutional food service—prepare to document on-time delivery rates and quality compliance.

Next steps

1. Access the full solicitation on SAM.gov using ID 15BFTD27Q00000003. Confirm you are viewing the updated version posted November 4, 2026.
2. Download all attachments, including any updated specifications, line items, and delivery schedules.
3. Register in SAM.gov if you have not already; active registration is mandatory to bid.
4. Note the deadline: November 15, 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Allow buffer time for technical submission issues.
5. Contact the contracting officer with questions; use SAM.gov messaging or contact information in the solicitation.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →