What types of goods and services does the Bureau of Prisons FAO prioritize?

The FAO focuses on operational requirements for correctional facilities, including industrial kitchen equipment, medical and dental supplies for inmate healthcare, facility repair and maintenance services, and specialized security hardware.

Are there specific certifications that help vendors win contracts with the FAO?

Vendors with GSA Schedule contracts often have an advantage, as the FAO frequently utilizes existing contract vehicles. Additionally, businesses registered as small disadvantaged businesses or those with experience in high-security environments are well-positioned for set-aside opportunities.

How does the FAO handle security requirements for contractors?

Because work often occurs within secure perimeters, contractors must be prepared for rigorous background checks and site-specific security protocols. Vendors should ensure their staff can meet Bureau of Prisons clearance standards before bidding on on-site service contracts.

FEDERAL PRISON SYSTEM / BUREAU OF PRISONS · Contracting Office

FAO

1,563 solicitations and awards tracked for this contracting office.

Contracting office1,563 solicitationsUnder FEDERAL PRISON SYSTEM / BUREAU OF PRISONS

Solicitations

1.6K

Federal records indexed

Source

Federal

Federal procurement data

Sub-Agency

FEDERAL PRISON

FEDERAL PRISON SYSTEM / BUREAU OF PRISONS

Agency

DEPARTMENT

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

About

Acquisition authority and contracting profile of FAO.

The Federal Acquisition Office (FAO) within the Bureau of Prisons manages the procurement of goods and services necessary to maintain daily operations across federal correctional facilities. Vendors compete for contracts involving facility maintenance, correctional healthcare equipment, food service supplies, and specialized security technology required for secure institutional environments.

Hierarchy: FEDERAL PRISON SYSTEM / BUREAU OF PRISONS · DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

Contracting officers at this office issue solicitations under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Vendors must be registered in the federal procurement system with a valid CAGE code to receive awards.

Opportunity activity heatmap (2024-present)

Monthly posted opportunity volume from 2024 onward. Darker = more indexed records.

Count-basedPeak month: 942024-2026

2024

2025

2026

This view uses monthly opportunity counts from the public dataset. Monthly obligation dollars are not available on these pages.

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FAO contracting FAQ

Common questions about FAO, the parent hierarchy, and how vendors should track this contracting office.