Air Force awards $5.36M R&D contract to Booz Allen Hamilton for strategic planning support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,364,241 ($5.4M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2021-06-02

End Date: 2026-06-01

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: UNITED STATES AIR FORCE USAF AIR MOBILITY COMMAND AMC MOBILITY AIR FORCES STRATEGIC PLANNING

Place of Performance

Location: SCOTT AFB, SAINT CLAIR County, ILLINOIS, 62225

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $5.4 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: UNITED STATES AIR FORCE USAF AIR MOBILITY COMMAND AMC MOBILITY AIR FORCES STRATEGIC PLANNING Key points: 1. Contract focuses on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Booz Allen Hamilton, a large established firm, is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, indicating defined scope and pricing. 4. Performance period spans over five years, suggesting a long-term strategic need. 5. The award was made by the General Services Administration on behalf of the Air Force. 6. The contract falls under the R&D sector, specifically scientific research.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific R&D contract is challenging without detailed task orders and deliverables. However, the $5.36 million award over five years suggests an average annual spend of approximately $1.07 million. This amount is moderate for R&D services provided by a large contractor like Booz Allen Hamilton. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of work and deliverables to similar R&D contracts for strategic planning within the Department of Defense.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. While the number of bidders is not specified, this procurement method generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The General Services Administration's role suggests adherence to established procurement procedures.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The United States Air Force, specifically the Air Mobility Command, is the primary beneficiary, receiving strategic planning support. The contract supports research and development activities crucial for future Air Force capabilities. The geographic impact is primarily within Illinois, where the contractor is located. The contract likely involves highly skilled personnel, contributing to the specialized workforce in R&D and defense consulting.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the direct impact of the R&D efforts.
The long duration of the contract could lead to scope creep if not managed effectively.
Reliance on a single large contractor for strategic planning may limit diverse perspectives.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, has extensive experience in government contracting and R&D.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically NAICS code 541712, which covers R&D in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology). This is a critical area for defense modernization, enabling the Air Force to explore and develop new technologies and strategies. Spending in this sector is often characterized by long-term investments and a focus on innovation. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other R&D contracts awarded to large defense contractors for similar strategic planning or scientific research services.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Booz Allen Hamilton is a large business. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The absence of a set-aside or specific subcontracting goals may mean limited direct opportunities for small businesses on this particular award, though they may participate indirectly through the supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for the procurement process, implying adherence to federal acquisition regulations. Oversight would typically involve contract officers and program managers within the Air Mobility Command to ensure deliverables meet requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Air Force Strategic Planning Support
Department of Defense R&D Contracts
Mobility Air Forces Modernization
Federal Scientific Research Services

Risk Flags

Potential for R&D outcomes not meeting strategic expectations.
Risk of scope creep over the extended contract duration.
Dependence on a single large contractor for critical strategic input.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $5.4 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. UNITED STATES AIR FORCE USAF AIR MOBILITY COMMAND AMC MOBILITY AIR FORCES STRATEGIC PLANNING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-02. End: 2026-06-01.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with the Air Force and similar R&D contracts?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a well-established government contractor with a significant history of serving the Department of Defense, including the Air Force. They have a broad portfolio of contracts spanning various services, including R&D, strategic planning, and IT modernization. Their track record generally indicates experience in managing large, complex projects. Specific to R&D, they have been involved in numerous contracts requiring scientific and engineering expertise. For similar strategic planning R&D contracts within the Air Force or DoD, their past performance would likely be a key factor in award decisions, demonstrating their capability to deliver on complex research objectives and provide strategic insights.

How does the $5.36 million award compare to other Air Force R&D contracts for strategic planning?

The $5.36 million award over five years, averaging approximately $1.07 million annually, is a moderate-sized contract for R&D services within the Air Force. Larger, more complex R&D initiatives, particularly those involving significant technological development or system integration, can reach tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Conversely, smaller, more focused research tasks might be awarded for amounts less than $1 million. This contract's value suggests a need for sustained, specialized support in strategic planning rather than a large-scale development project. Benchmarking requires detailed comparison of the specific scope, deliverables, and contractor expertise against other similar contracts.

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

Key risks include the potential for R&D efforts not yielding desired strategic outcomes, scope creep over the five-year period, and contractor performance issues. Mitigation strategies likely involve clearly defined milestones and deliverables within the contract, regular performance reviews by Air Force program managers, and robust oversight from the GSA contracting officer. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, provided the scope is well-defined. Contractor selection based on past performance also serves as a risk-reduction measure.

How effective is this contract likely to be in enhancing the Air Mobility Command's strategic planning capabilities?

The effectiveness hinges on the clarity of the strategic objectives set by the Air Mobility Command and the quality of Booz Allen Hamilton's research and analysis. Given the contractor's experience, there is a good potential for enhanced strategic planning. However, effectiveness is not solely determined by the contractor; it requires active engagement and utilization of the contractor's outputs by AMC leadership. The contract's success will be measured by its contribution to informed decision-making, improved future planning, and ultimately, the enhancement of AMC's operational readiness and strategic positioning.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar R&D services by the Air Force or AMC?

Historical spending patterns for R&D services by the Air Force and AMC show significant investment in areas critical to maintaining air superiority and global reach. This includes funding for advanced aircraft technologies, C4ISR systems, logistics optimization, and future operational concepts. Spending can fluctuate based on strategic priorities, technological advancements, and budget allocations. Contracts for strategic planning support, while perhaps less visible than major acquisition programs, are a consistent component of ensuring long-term capability development and readiness across various Air Force commands.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA21Q0336

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation

Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,872,162

Exercised Options: $7,173,276

Current Obligation: $5,364,241

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU406

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline