APPLICABLE LAWS SUMMARY

Overview

Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (FPI or trade name UNICOR) is a government corporation, established by Congress in 1934, that is under the management of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and United States Department of Justice (DOJ). FPI is governed by a Presidentially-appointed Board of Directors.

FPI – whose mission is to train and employ inmates in federal custody – is the BOP’s most important correctional management program. The FPI program provides inmates with valuable training and experience which develop job skills and a strong work ethic, thereby preparing inmates for successful reintegration into society. It also keeps inmates productively occupied and reduces inmate idleness and the violence associated with it.

From the time FPI was created in 1934, it operated in the Federal marketplace pursuant to the mandatory source provision in its enabling statute, 18 U.S.C. § 4124. Recent actions taken by Congress, however, have impacted the application of FPI’s mandatory source. Specifically, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2002 (P.L. 107-107), included Section 811, which impacted sales of FPI’s products to agencies of the Department of Defense. That provision was further modified by Section 819 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2003 (P.L. 107-314). Together, Sections 811 and 819 are codified at 10 U.S.C. § 2410.

Most recently, Congress passed a similar provision applicable to civilian agencies: Section 637 of the Consolidated Spending Bill for FY 2004; Division F: Treasury and Transportation Authorization Bill for FY 2004 (P.L. 108-199).

For more detailed information about applicable laws:

• Click here to see FPI’s Enabling Statute (18 U.S.C. § 4121- 4129)
• Click here for information relating to Defense Agency Procurement
  (Section 811/819)
• Click here for information relating to Civilian Agency Procurement
  (Section 637)