FCI Mendota Contracting Office

The FCI Mendota Contracting Office oversees procurement activities critical to the operational continuity of the Federal Correctional Institution at Mendota, a Bureau of Prisons facility under the Department of Justice. Responsible for acquiring essential goods and services that support institutional food service, facility maintenance, and utility infrastructure, the office ensures compliance with federal nutrition standards, safety regulations, and logistical reliability. Its acquisitions primarily focus on mission-critical supply chains including food manufacturing, plumbing, heating, ventilation, and water systems, all aligned with the Bureau’s mandate to provide safe, secure, and humane custodial environments. The office executes full and open competitions and set-aside contracts under FAR Part 19, prioritizing socioeconomic objectives while maintaining strict adherence to federal procurement protocols. The office maintains a sustained contracting relationship with Western State Design, Inc., a key vendor delivering specialized food service and facility support solutions. This partnership reflects a pattern of long-term vendor engagement grounded in consistent performance, regulatory compliance, and capacity to meet the unique demands of federal correctional operations. The office typically engages contractors capable of delivering turnkey services in high-regulation environments, favoring vendors with proven experience in institutional food production, HVAC systems, and utility infrastructure for secure facilities. FCI Mendota exhibits a 100% commitment to small business set-asides under FAR 19.5, exclusively awarding contracts to small businesses without further socioeconomic subcategories. This reflects a deliberate strategy to maximize economic opportunity for small firms while ensuring responsiveness and agility in a high-volume, low-margin operational context. The office’s procurement model prioritizes small business participation as a core component of mission success, not merely a compliance requirement. The office’s procurement portfolio is dominated by NAICS 311511 (Fluid Milk Manufacturing) and 311999 (All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing), underscoring its focus on nutritionally compliant, culturally appropriate meal production. Additional emphasis is placed on 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors) and 333415 (Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing), indicating deep expertise in maintaining climate control and food storage infrastructure. Water supply systems (221310) round out its technical domain, reflecting an integrated approach to sustaining mission-critical utilities within a secure federal facility.