Sean Merritt

Sean Merritt serves as a Contract Specialist within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), where he plays a critical role in executing procurements that support the agency’s mission to strengthen federal nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP, WIC, and the National School Lunch Program. He manages the full lifecycle of acquisitions for technical and analytical services, ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations while advancing program integrity, data-driven evaluation, and operational modernization. His portfolio primarily includes service-based contracts requiring specialized expertise in research, systems design, and digital solutions that enhance program delivery and policy analysis. Merritt collaborates with a diverse range of contractors, including firms specializing in social science research, computer systems support, and specialized design services. He cultivates partnerships with both large industry providers and small businesses, emphasizing long-term, performance-based vendor relationships grounded in transparency and accountability. His contracting approach prioritizes vendor capability in delivering evidence-based solutions that align with FNS’s strategic goals, fostering collaboration across technical, analytical, and operational domains. His procurement patterns reflect a balanced commitment to socioeconomic goals, with approximately half of his acquisitions set aside for total small business participation under FAR 19.5. While no other set-aside categories dominate, his consistent use of small business set-asides demonstrates a deliberate effort to expand opportunities for small, disadvantaged, and community-based firms capable of delivering high-impact technical services. Merritt’s primary procurement focus lies in NAICS 541519 (Other Computer Related Services) and 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities), reflecting his need for expertise in data analytics, program evaluation, user-centered design, and digital platform development. He routinely procures services related to behavioral research, survey systems, eligibility automation tools, and user interface design for public-facing nutrition assistance platforms, ensuring that technological investments directly enhance access, equity, and program effectiveness.