Agriculture awards $296,500 for preliminary engineering support to stabilize MIAG Mill System

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,650 ($29.6K)

Contractor: Facture, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-06-08

Contract Duration: 60 days

Daily Burn Rate: $494/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO DEFINE THE SAFETY, TECHNICAL, AND INTEGRATION REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO STABILIZE THE MIAG MILL SYSTEM.

Place of Performance

Location: FARGO, CASS County, NORTH DAKOTA, 58102

State: North Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $29,650 to FACTURE, LLC for work described as: PROVIDE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO DEFINE THE SAFETY, TECHNICAL, AND INTEGRATION REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO STABILIZE THE MIAG MILL SYSTEM. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on defining critical safety, technical, and integration requirements. 2. Preliminary engineering support is crucial for system stabilization. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order, indicating defined scope and cost. 4. The duration of 60 days suggests a focused, short-term effort. 5. The North Dakota location may indicate specific regional operational needs. 6. The NAICS code 541690 points to specialized technical consulting services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $296,500 for a 60-day preliminary engineering effort appears reasonable for specialized technical consulting. Benchmarking against similar contracts for system definition and integration support would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without more data on the complexity of the MIAG Mill System and the specific deliverables required, a definitive assessment of cost-effectiveness is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests cost control is a priority.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition than micro-purchases but is less formal than full and open competition for larger contracts. The number of bidders is not specified, but SAP is intended to promote competition among responsible sources. The specific competition level within SAP can vary, but it generally aims to achieve fair and reasonable pricing through a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by soliciting offers from multiple vendors, driving down costs and improving the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) benefits from this contract by receiving essential support for a critical mill system. The services delivered will define safety, technical, and integration requirements, directly impacting the operational stability of the MIAG Mill System. The geographic impact is likely focused on the specific facility in North Dakota where the MIAG Mill System is located. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a consulting contract focused on defining requirements rather than direct system operation or maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if preliminary requirements are not clearly defined.
Dependence on contractor expertise for accurate and comprehensive requirement definition.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure helps manage costs.
Focus on defining requirements upfront can prevent future cost overruns.
Competition under SAP promotes fair pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically consulting services. The market for such services is broad, encompassing firms with expertise in engineering, system integration, and safety analysis. The value of this specific contract is relatively small within the broader federal contracting landscape, but it addresses a critical need for system stabilization within the agricultural research domain.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting plans. As it was competed under SAP, there may have been opportunities for small businesses, but this is not explicitly stated. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) within the Department of Agriculture. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver defined requirements within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded.

Related Government Programs

Agricultural Research Service Operations
System Engineering and Integration Services
Industrial Process Consulting

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope leading to cost overruns.
Reliance on contractor expertise for critical requirement definition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $29,650 to FACTURE, LLC. PROVIDE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO DEFINE THE SAFETY, TECHNICAL, AND INTEGRATION REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO STABILIZE THE MIAG MILL SYSTEM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FACTURE, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29,650.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-06-08.

What is the track record of Facture, LLC in providing similar engineering support services to federal agencies?

A review of Facture, LLC's contract history would be necessary to assess their track record. This would involve examining past performance on similar projects, particularly those involving preliminary engineering, system definition, and safety/technical requirement analysis. Key indicators would include on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of deliverables, and any past performance issues or disputes. Without access to detailed past performance evaluations or a comprehensive contract database search, it is difficult to definitively assess their suitability for this specific task beyond the current award.

How does the $296,500 contract value compare to similar preliminary engineering support contracts for industrial systems?

Benchmarking this $296,500 contract against similar preliminary engineering support contracts for industrial systems requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. Factors such as the complexity of the MIAG Mill System, the specific deliverables (e.g., detailed reports, feasibility studies, integration plans), and the required expertise would influence pricing. Generally, preliminary engineering for complex systems can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the scope and duration. The 60-day timeframe suggests a focused effort, making the stated amount appear within a reasonable range for specialized consulting, assuming the scope is well-defined.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks include potential scope creep if the preliminary requirements are not clearly defined from the outset, leading to cost overruns or delays. Another risk is the contractor's ability to accurately define complex safety, technical, and integration requirements, which could impact the subsequent phases of system stabilization. Mitigation strategies likely include a well-defined SOW, clear communication channels between the agency and the contractor, and the firm-fixed-price structure which incentivizes the contractor to manage scope effectively. The short duration also limits the window for significant deviations.

What is the expected effectiveness of the services provided in stabilizing the MIAG Mill System?

The effectiveness of the services hinges on the quality and comprehensiveness of the preliminary engineering support. If Facture, LLC accurately defines the critical safety, technical, and integration requirements, it will lay a solid foundation for subsequent stabilization efforts. This clarity should reduce ambiguity, prevent costly rework, and ensure that the chosen stabilization strategies are technically sound and safe. The success of this contract is a prerequisite for the successful stabilization of the MIAG Mill System; its effectiveness is measured by the actionable insights and clear requirements it produces.

What are the historical spending patterns for preliminary engineering support within the Agricultural Research Service?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for preliminary engineering support within the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) would require a review of past contracts awarded by the agency for similar services. This would involve identifying trends in contract values, durations, types of services procured (e.g., system definition, feasibility studies, safety analysis), and the frequency of such awards. Understanding these patterns can help contextualize the current $296,500 award, indicating whether it is typical, high, or low compared to ARS's historical investment in similar preparatory engineering work.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 1232SA26Q0352

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 16348 S STAGECOACH ST, OLATHE, KS, 66062

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,650

Exercised Options: $29,650

Current Obligation: $29,650

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline