USDA Awards $24.2M for Accelerated Project Management and Planning to Merrick & Company

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,200,000 ($24.2M)

Contractor: Merrick & Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-08-30

End Date: 2026-08-07

Contract Duration: 342 days

Daily Burn Rate: $70.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NBAF - ACCELERATED PROJECT MANAGEMENT, STAND-UP PLANNING AND RECOMMISSIONING

Place of Performance

Location: MANHATTAN, RILEY County, KANSAS, 66502

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $24.2 million to MERRICK & COMPANY for work described as: NBAF - ACCELERATED PROJECT MANAGEMENT, STAND-UP PLANNING AND RECOMMISSIONING Key points: 1. Significant contract value for project management and planning services. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Focus on agricultural research infrastructure suggests a critical need for specialized expertise. 4. Contract duration of over a year indicates a substantial project scope.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $24.2 million for project management and planning is substantial. Without comparable contract data for similar services within the Agricultural Research Service or other government agencies, it is difficult to assess if this pricing is competitive or represents good value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This limits price discovery and may prevent the government from securing the most cost-effective solution available in the market.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract.

Public Impact

Potential impact on the efficiency and timeline of critical agricultural research infrastructure projects. Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The specialized nature of the services could limit the pool of qualified contractors, but the sole-source justification needs scrutiny.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
High contract value for services

Positive Signals

Specific need for project management and planning
Potential for accelerated project timelines

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically testing laboratories and services. The value is significant for this category, especially given the sole-source nature, suggesting a unique capability or urgent requirement.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were considered or if there were opportunities for subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure Merrick & Company delivers on the project management and planning objectives effectively and within budget, especially given the sole-source award. Clear performance metrics and regular reporting are essential.

Related Government Programs

Testing Laboratories and Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Agricultural Research Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of bidding.
Need for strong oversight to ensure value.
Risk of scope creep in accelerated projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $24.2 million to MERRICK & COMPANY. NBAF - ACCELERATED PROJECT MANAGEMENT, STAND-UP PLANNING AND RECOMMISSIONING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MERRICK & COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-30. End: 2026-08-07.

What specific factors justified the sole-source award for these project management services, and were alternative solutions explored?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent and compelling needs, or a lack of other responsible sources. For this contract, the government would need to demonstrate why Merrick & Company was the only viable option for accelerated project management and planning for the Agricultural Research Service's specific needs. Without this detailed justification, it raises concerns about whether competitive processes could have yielded better value or if the urgency was self-imposed.

How will the effectiveness of Merrick & Company's project management be measured to ensure the $24.2 million investment yields tangible benefits for agricultural research?

Effectiveness will likely be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) related to project timelines, budget adherence, quality of deliverables, and stakeholder satisfaction. The contract should outline specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Regular progress reviews and performance assessments by the Agricultural Research Service will be critical to track the contractor's performance and ensure the investment translates into successful project outcomes and advancements in agricultural research.

What is the potential risk of cost overruns or scope creep given the 'accelerated' nature of the project and the sole-source award?

The risk of cost overruns and scope creep is elevated in sole-source contracts, particularly those emphasizing speed. Without competitive pressure, there's less incentive for strict cost control. The 'accelerated' aspect could also lead to rushed decisions or incomplete planning, necessitating costly revisions later. Robust government oversight, clear contract modifications procedures, and stringent change control processes are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure the project stays on track financially and operationally.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8051 E MAPLEWOOD AVE STE 300, GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO, 80111

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,800,000

Exercised Options: $26,800,000

Current Obligation: $24,200,000

Actual Outlays: $3,720,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline