Overview
This section defines the nature, mission, and operational framework of Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (FPI), also known as UNICOR, as a government-owned corporation that provides supplies and services to federal agencies. It establishes FPI’s role in prisoner rehabilitation and its relationship with the federal procurement system.
Key Rules
- Legal Status: FPI is a self-supporting, wholly owned Government corporation operating under the authority of 18 U.S.C. 4121-4128.
- Mission: The primary purpose of FPI is to provide vocational training and employment for inmates in Federal correctional institutions.
- Market Impact Mitigation: FPI is mandated to diversify its product and service offerings specifically to minimize adverse competitive impacts on private industry.
- The FPI Schedule: Agencies must refer to the FPI Schedule (available at www.unicor.gov) to identify the supplies manufactured and services performed by FPI.
- Procurement Preference: Federal agencies are encouraged to purchase from FPI to the "maximum extent practicable."
Practical Implications
- Contracting officers must incorporate FPI into their market research process by reviewing the FPI Schedule to determine if required supplies or services are available.
- While FPI serves a socio-economic goal, its requirement to diversify means it frequently updates its catalog, requiring acquisition professionals to stay current on UNICOR’s evolving capabilities to ensure compliance with procurement priorities.