Mandy Fenter, Contracting Officer

Mandy Fenter serves as a Contracting Officer within the Federal Railroad Administration, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing the agency’s mission to modernize the nation’s rail infrastructure through technically rigorous procurement. She manages a diverse portfolio of acquisitions centered on research and development, engineering services, and specialized construction machinery, ensuring alignment with federal rail safety and operational resilience goals. Her work directly supports the development of predictive modeling tools, human factors analysis systems, and next-generation rail inspection technologies, requiring deep engagement with technical specifications and performance-based contracting methodologies. Fenter cultivates strategic relationships with a broad spectrum of vendors, including engineering consultancies, R&D firms, and manufacturers of heavy rail equipment. While no single contractor dominates her portfolio, she consistently engages firms with proven expertise in rail systems engineering, data-driven infrastructure analysis, and high-precision machinery. Her contracting approach emphasizes competitive solicitation, clear performance metrics, and vendor accountability, fostering a transparent and results-oriented acquisition environment. Fenter’s procurement patterns reflect a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of her awards issued without set-aside designations. This reflects a deliberate focus on technical capability over socioeconomic categorization, prioritizing the most qualified offerors regardless of business size or status. While small business participation is not formally targeted, she remains compliant with all federal requirements and evaluates small business capabilities on merit within open competitions. Her primary NAICS focus spans Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (541715), Engineering Services (541330), and Construction Machinery Manufacturing (333120). She procures advanced rail inspection systems, simulation software, structural analysis tools, and heavy-duty rail maintenance equipment, demonstrating specialized expertise in transportation engineering, systems integration, and infrastructure modernization technologies.