Forest Service awards $322K contract for timber trafficking law enforcement expertise to Management & Engineering Technologies International Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $322,604 ($322.6K)

Contractor: Management & Engineering Technologies International Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-20

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 345 days

Daily Burn Rate: $935/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: METI SOW - TIMBER TRAFFICKING LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERTS

Place of Performance

Location: EL PASO, EL PASO County, TEXAS, 79925

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $322,604.26 to MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC for work described as: METI SOW - TIMBER TRAFFICKING LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERTS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized expertise for timber trafficking law enforcement, a critical area for natural resource protection. 2. The contract duration of approximately one year suggests a focused, project-based need for these services. 3. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. The specific NAICS code (541715) points to research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, suggesting a technical or analytical component to the expertise required. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for flexibility in scope but requires careful monitoring of costs. 6. The contractor, Management & Engineering Technologies International Inc., will provide services to the Forest Service, a key agency in managing national forests.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $322,604.26 for approximately one year of specialized expertise appears reasonable given the niche nature of timber trafficking law enforcement. Without specific benchmarks for this exact service, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates close oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with the value delivered. The fixed fee component provides some cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was open, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria, which warrants further investigation. The number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests an intention to solicit from a broad range of qualified offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple firms to offer their best pricing and technical solutions, potentially leading to a more cost-effective outcome.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the US Forest Service, which will receive expert support in combating illegal timber trafficking. Services delivered will likely involve analysis, strategy development, and potentially training related to timber trafficking law enforcement. The geographic impact is national, as illegal timber trafficking can affect various regions where the Forest Service manages land. Workforce implications may include enhanced capabilities for Forest Service law enforcement personnel and potentially collaboration with other agencies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
The exclusion of sources in an otherwise 'full and open' competition raises questions about the breadth of competition and potential fairness.
The specific nature of 'timber trafficking law enforcement expertise' is broad and could encompass a wide range of activities, requiring clear SOW definition.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
The contractor, Management & Engineering Technologies International Inc., has experience in government contracting.
The contract addresses a critical area of natural resource protection and law enforcement.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715, which covers R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. This suggests the expertise required is analytical and technical rather than purely operational. The market for specialized law enforcement and natural resource management consulting is competitive, with various firms offering expertise in areas like environmental compliance, forensic analysis, and policy development. The Forest Service's spending in this area is driven by the need to protect national forest resources from illegal activities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this contract. This suggests the focus was on obtaining specialized expertise, and the competition likely favored larger or more specialized firms. There is no explicit information on subcontracting requirements, but given the nature of the service, it's possible that specialized sub-contractors could be involved if the prime contractor deems it necessary.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the US Forest Service, likely through a designated contracting officer and technical point of contact. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance metrics outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) and the terms of the Cost Plus Fixed Fee agreement. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations
National Forest Management Act Programs
Illegal Logging Prevention Initiatives
Environmental Law Enforcement Support
Natural Resource Protection Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
Limited transparency on 'exclusion of sources' rationale.
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure effective delivery of expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $322,604.26 to MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC. METI SOW - TIMBER TRAFFICKING LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $322,604.26.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-20. End: 2027-03-31.

What specific expertise does Management & Engineering Technologies International Inc. possess in timber trafficking law enforcement?

The provided data does not detail the specific expertise of Management & Engineering Technologies International Inc. (METI) in timber trafficking law enforcement. However, the NAICS code 541715 suggests a background in Research and Development within physical, engineering, and life sciences. This could translate to expertise in areas such as forensic analysis of timber origins, development of tracking technologies, data analysis for identifying trafficking patterns, or policy research to strengthen enforcement strategies. Further investigation into METI's past performance and specific qualifications listed in their proposal would be necessary to fully understand their capabilities for this contract.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure impact cost control for this contract?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure means the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure is often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset, allowing for flexibility. For taxpayers, the risk lies in potential cost overruns if the contractor's actual costs exceed estimates. Effective cost control hinges on the government's ability to closely monitor and audit the contractor's incurred costs, ensuring they are reasonable, allocable, and necessary for contract performance. The fixed fee provides a ceiling on the contractor's profit, but the total contract cost can still fluctuate based on actual expenses.

What are the implications of 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' for this award?

The designation 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' indicates that while the solicitation was intended to be open to all responsible sources, certain potential offerors were excluded based on specific, documented reasons. This could be due to factors like security clearances, specialized certifications, or prior performance issues. While it aims to ensure that only qualified and appropriate entities participate, it also raises questions about the extent of the competition. The exclusion of sources, if not clearly justified and transparently applied, could potentially limit price discovery and reduce the overall competitive landscape, potentially impacting the value achieved for taxpayers.

What is the historical spending pattern for timber trafficking law enforcement expertise by the Forest Service?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for timber trafficking law enforcement expertise by the Forest Service. This specific contract award of $322,604.26 represents a single data point. To understand historical spending, one would need to analyze contract databases for similar awards over multiple fiscal years, looking for contracts with keywords related to timber trafficking, illegal logging, forest crime, and law enforcement support within the Forest Service or related agencies. This would help establish trends, identify peak spending periods, and assess the consistency of investment in this area.

What are the potential risks associated with the contractor's performance on this contract?

Potential risks associated with the contractor's performance include failure to deliver the specialized expertise required for effective timber trafficking law enforcement, cost overruns due to the CPFF structure, or delays in project completion. If the contractor's proposed solutions are not innovative or effective, the Forest Service may not achieve its objectives in combating illegal timber activities. Furthermore, if the 'exclusion of sources' was not adequately justified, there could be risks related to perceived fairness or missed opportunities for better technical solutions or pricing from excluded entities. Ensuring clear deliverables and robust performance metrics in the SOW is crucial to mitigate these risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Community and Regional Development R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 12318726Q0049

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8600 BOEING DR, EL PASO, TX, 79925

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $322,604

Exercised Options: $322,604

Current Obligation: $322,604

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12318723D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline