USDA's $4.8M Food Waste Contract Awarded to MEF Associates, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,799,311 ($4.8M)

Contractor: MEF Associates, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-09-27

End Date: 2029-09-26

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CLASSIFYING AND MEASURING HOUSEHOLD FOOD WASTE

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $4.8 million to MEF ASSOCIATES, LLC for work described as: CLASSIFYING AND MEASURING HOUSEHOLD FOOD WASTE Key points: 1. Contract value of $4.8M over 5 years. 2. MEF ASSOCIATES, LLC is the sole awardee. 3. Risk is moderate due to sole awardee and fixed-price contract. 4. Sector is Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price. Without comparable contract data, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This suggests some competition occurred, but the specific reasons for excluding other sources are not detailed, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for consulting services related to household food waste. The effectiveness of these services in achieving the stated goals will determine the ultimate taxpayer impact.

Public Impact

Focuses on reducing household food waste, a significant environmental and economic issue. Aims to classify and measure food waste, providing data for policy and program development. Potential for cost savings through reduced waste and improved resource allocation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition details
Lack of cost benchmark data

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical environmental issue
Firm fixed price contract

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under administrative management and general management consulting services. Benchmarks for this sector can vary widely depending on the specific services provided.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the awardee is MEF ASSOCIATES, LLC, and there is no specific mention of small business participation or set-asides in this award. Further investigation would be needed to determine small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract with a set end date. Oversight would typically involve monitoring performance against contract deliverables and ensuring adherence to the firm fixed price.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Food and Nutrition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition details
Lack of cost benchmark data
Potential for scope creep if not well-defined
Reliance on contractor's methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $4.8 million to MEF ASSOCIATES, LLC. CLASSIFYING AND MEASURING HOUSEHOLD FOOD WASTE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MEF ASSOCIATES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Food and Nutrition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-27. End: 2029-09-26.

What specific methodologies will MEF Associates use to classify and measure household food waste, and how will these be validated?

The contract likely outlines specific methodologies for data collection, analysis, and reporting. Validation could involve peer review, pilot studies, or comparison with existing datasets. The agency's oversight will be crucial in ensuring the chosen methods are robust and produce reliable measurements for effective policy decisions.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will success be measured?

Success will likely be measured by the timely and accurate delivery of classified food waste data and actionable insights. Key performance indicators might include the completeness of data, the clarity of classifications, and the utility of the findings for informing USDA initiatives. The agency's evaluation of these deliverables will determine the contractor's performance.

How will the findings from this contract be leveraged to implement tangible reductions in household food waste?

The findings are expected to inform the development of targeted educational campaigns, policy recommendations, and program interventions aimed at reducing household food waste. The agency will use the data to identify key drivers of waste and areas for intervention, potentially leading to more effective resource allocation and public awareness efforts.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 12319824Q0021

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1330 BRADDOCK PL STE 220, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,799,311

Exercised Options: $4,799,311

Current Obligation: $4,799,311

Actual Outlays: $279,763

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline