Agriculture's Forest Service awards $223,695 contract for decision tree workflow optimization to Management & Engineering Technologies International Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,370 ($22.4K)

Contractor: Management & Engineering Technologies International Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-21

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 223 days

Daily Burn Rate: $100/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: METI SOW - DECISION TREE WORKFLOW OPTIMIZATION CONSULTANT

Place of Performance

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

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $22,369.5 to MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC for work described as: METI SOW - DECISION TREE WORKFLOW OPTIMIZATION CONSULTANT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences, specifically workflow optimization. 2. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources indicates a competitive process was intended. 3. The contract duration is relatively short, suggesting a focused project scope. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control but requires careful oversight. 5. The awardee, Management & Engineering Technologies International Inc., will deliver services in Texas. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 points to research and development activities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $223,695 is modest for an R&D project. Without specific benchmarks for decision tree workflow optimization consulting, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires monitoring to ensure costs remain reasonable and that the fixed fee is justified by the scope of work. Comparison to similar, smaller-scale R&D consulting projects would be necessary for a more precise valuation.

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 suggests that while the intent was open competition, specific circumstances led to the exclusion of certain potential bidders. The number of bidders is not specified, but the designation implies that multiple sources were considered, which generally supports price discovery. However, the exclusion clause warrants further investigation into why certain sources were not considered.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value, though the exclusion of sources could potentially limit the range of competitive offers and thus impact the final price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, which will receive optimized decision tree workflows. The services delivered will likely improve the efficiency and effectiveness of specific Forest Service operations. The geographic impact is centered in Texas, where the contractor is located and services will likely be performed. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team of consultants rather than significant new hires.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type requires scrutiny to ensure no viable competitors were unfairly barred.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
The limited duration may indicate a narrow scope, potentially leaving broader optimization needs unaddressed.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through a full and open competition process, suggesting a broad search for qualified contractors.
The specific focus on workflow optimization indicates a targeted effort to improve operational efficiency.
The awardee is a specialized firm, likely possessing the necessary expertise for this R&D task.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on engineering and physical sciences. The market for specialized workflow optimization consulting is diverse, with many firms offering such services. The value of this contract is relatively small compared to larger R&D initiatives, suggesting a targeted project rather than a broad program. Benchmarking would require identifying similar consulting engagements for workflow optimization within government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely limited unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight is crucial to monitor expenditures against the estimated costs and ensure the fixed fee is earned. Accountability measures will be tied to the successful completion of the defined scope of work and delivery of optimized workflows. Transparency is expected through standard government contracting reporting mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

Forest Service IT Modernization Efforts
USDA Research and Development Programs
Workflow Automation Consulting Services
Government R&D Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
Need to verify justification for 'exclusion of sources' in competition.
Scope limitations due to relatively short contract duration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $22,369.5 to MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC. METI SOW - DECISION TREE WORKFLOW OPTIMIZATION CONSULTANT

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 $22,369.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-21. End: 2026-11-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'decision tree workflow optimization' being undertaken?

The contract, 'METI SOW - DECISION TREE WORKFLOW OPTIMIZATION CONSULTANT,' awarded to Management & Engineering Technologies International Inc., focuses on improving specific operational processes within the Forest Service. Decision trees are often used in analytical and decision-making processes to map out various outcomes based on different choices. Workflow optimization aims to streamline these processes, making them more efficient, cost-effective, and less prone to error. This could involve analyzing existing decision-making steps, identifying bottlenecks or redundancies, and redesigning the workflow for better performance. The R&D nature suggests the project may involve developing new methodologies or adapting existing ones to the Forest Service's unique operational context, potentially leading to improved resource allocation, faster response times, or more accurate data analysis for land management decisions.

How does the 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' contract type typically function, and what are its implications for this project?

A Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is a type of cost-reimbursement contract where the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure is often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined, or when there is a significant R&D component, as is the case here. For this project, the Forest Service will pay Management & Engineering Technologies International Inc. for all legitimate expenses incurred in optimizing the decision tree workflows, plus a fixed amount agreed upon as profit. The implication is that the government bears the risk of cost overruns if actual costs exceed estimates, but the fixed fee provides a ceiling on the contractor's profit. Effective oversight is critical to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract, and that the fixed fee adequately compensates the contractor for the effort without being excessive.

What does 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' signify for this award?

The designation 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' indicates that the Forest Service initially intended to conduct a broad competition, soliciting offers from all responsible sources. However, specific circumstances led to the exclusion of certain potential offerors from the competition. The reasons for exclusion are not detailed in the provided data but could stem from various factors, such as specific technical requirements that only a limited number of firms could meet, or prior performance issues with certain contractors. While it implies a competitive process was initiated, the exclusion clause means the competition was not entirely unrestricted. This could potentially limit the range of innovative solutions or the intensity of price competition compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition. Further analysis would require understanding the justification for the source exclusion.

What is the typical cost range for similar R&D consulting services in workflow optimization?

Benchmarking the cost of R&D consulting services for workflow optimization is challenging without specific details on the complexity and duration of the project. However, consulting rates can vary significantly based on the firm's reputation, the expertise of the consultants, and the specific industry. For specialized R&D and engineering consulting, hourly rates can range from $150 to over $500 per hour, depending on the seniority of the personnel. Given the contract value of $223,695 and a duration of approximately 7 months (from end of April to end of November 2026), this suggests a focused effort, possibly involving a small team of consultants working part-time or a few full-time consultants. Without knowing the exact number of hours or the specific deliverables, it's difficult to provide a precise cost comparison, but the award amount appears to be within a reasonable range for a targeted R&D consulting engagement of this nature.

What are the potential risks associated with a CPFF contract for R&D services?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts, while useful for R&D where scope is uncertain, carry inherent risks. A primary risk for the government is cost overrun; if the contractor's actual costs exceed the initial estimates, the government is obligated to reimburse them, potentially leading to a higher total expenditure than initially budgeted. The fixed fee, while providing profit certainty for the contractor, doesn't directly incentivize cost savings beyond what's necessary to complete the work within the estimated cost structure. For the contractor, the risk lies in underestimating the costs required to achieve the fixed fee, potentially resulting in lower-than-expected profit margins. Effective oversight, detailed cost tracking, and clear performance metrics are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

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: 12318726Q0050

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: $22,370

Exercised Options: $22,370

Current Obligation: $22,370

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