Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $112M for B52 Information Assurance Support at Tinker AFB, spanning over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $112,127,039 ($112.1M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2020-07-20

End Date: 2026-01-19

Contract Duration: 2,009 days

Daily Burn Rate: $55.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Defense

Official Description: B52 INFORMATION ASSURANCE MISSION SUPPORT, TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, OKLAHOMA

Place of Performance

Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA County, OKLAHOMA, 73145

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $112.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: B52 INFORMATION ASSURANCE MISSION SUPPORT, TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, OKLAHOMA Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the duration and scope of specialized IT support. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. Contract type (Time and Materials) can pose cost control risks if not managed diligently. 4. Performance period extends significantly, indicating a long-term need for these services. 5. The contract is positioned within the defense sector, supporting critical Air Force infrastructure. 6. Geographic concentration in Oklahoma for service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $112 million over roughly six years for information assurance support is within a reasonable range for specialized defense IT services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for mission support and cybersecurity at major Air Force bases suggests this pricing is competitive. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for evolving IT needs, warrants close monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which is expected to drive down costs and improve the quality of services offered. The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery and value for taxpayer money.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that the government secures services at the best possible price, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds allocated to this critical defense support.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Air Force units operating and maintaining the B52 bomber fleet. Services delivered include crucial information assurance and cybersecurity support, vital for mission readiness. Geographic impact is concentrated at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled IT and cybersecurity professionals to be employed by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Long contract duration may require ongoing vigilance to ensure continued value and relevance.
Potential for contractor lock-in if specialized knowledge becomes highly concentrated.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Contract supports critical national defense infrastructure.
Long-term commitment indicates a stable need for these essential services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense Information Technology Services sector, a critical component of the broader IT services market. The market for defense IT support is substantial, driven by the unique and complex cybersecurity and operational requirements of military branches. Spending in this area is often characterized by long-term contracts and specialized expertise, with significant government investment aimed at maintaining technological superiority and operational security. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar mission support contracts at large military installations often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small business set-asides is minimal. However, the prime contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill certain aspects of the contract, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the contracting agency (General Services Administration) and the requiring military unit (Air Force Materiel Command at Tinker AFB). Accountability measures would include performance metrics, regular reporting requirements, and adherence to contract terms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Air Force Information Assurance Programs
DoD Cybersecurity Contracts
Tinker Air Force Base Support Services
B52 Bomber Sustainment
IT Mission Support Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing Structure
Long Contract Duration
Potential for Scope Creep
Cybersecurity Service Dependence

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $112.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. B52 INFORMATION ASSURANCE MISSION SUPPORT, TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, OKLAHOMA

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 $112.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-07-20. End: 2026-01-19.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with similar government IT support contracts?

Booz Allen Hamilton has an extensive track record of performing IT and management consulting services for various U.S. government agencies, including significant work within the Department of Defense. They are a major contractor known for handling complex, large-scale projects. Their history includes numerous contracts related to cybersecurity, information assurance, systems engineering, and strategic planning across different military branches and civilian agencies. While specific performance metrics for past contracts are not detailed here, their consistent presence and award of substantial contracts suggest a generally positive performance history and capability to meet government requirements. However, like any large contractor, they may have faced scrutiny or performance issues on specific engagements, which would require deeper investigation into individual contract performance reports and oversight findings.

How does the $112 million contract value compare to similar information assurance contracts?

The $112 million contract value for B52 Information Assurance Mission Support over approximately six years (July 2020 - January 2026) is substantial but falls within the expected range for specialized, long-term IT support for critical defense assets. Benchmarking against similar contracts for cybersecurity, network operations, and information assurance at major Air Force bases or other DoD installations reveals that contracts of this nature often range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and criticality of the supported system. For instance, contracts supporting aircraft fleet readiness, command and control systems, or enterprise-wide cybersecurity often exceed this value. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for IT services where requirements can evolve, means the final cost could fluctuate. However, the ceiling of $112 million suggests a well-defined budget expectation.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract?

The primary risk associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns due to the nature of T&M pricing. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer task durations or less efficient work if not rigorously managed and overseen. Scope creep, where requirements expand beyond the initial understanding without a corresponding adjustment in contract ceiling or task orders, is another significant risk. To mitigate these risks, strong government oversight, detailed task order management, clear performance metrics, and regular reviews of labor hours and material costs are essential. The government must actively manage the contractor's effort to ensure value and prevent uncontrolled cost escalation.

How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for this type of defense IT contract?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value in government contracting, including for defense IT services. By allowing all responsible sources to bid, it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. For a contract like the B52 Information Assurance Mission Support, this approach increases the likelihood that the government will receive high-quality services at a fair and reasonable price. It prevents sole-source situations where pricing might be less scrutinized. While the administrative effort to manage a full and open competition is higher, the potential benefits in terms of cost savings and improved service quality typically outweigh these costs, especially for contracts valued in the tens of millions of dollars.

What is the historical spending trend for B52 information assurance support at Tinker AFB?

The provided data indicates this is a single delivery order with a start date of 2020-07-20 and an end date of 2026-01-19, with a total value of $112,127,039.08. This suggests a significant, multi-year investment rather than a series of smaller, recurring expenditures. The 'dur' field shows '2009', which might indicate the duration of the underlying contract vehicle or a related program's inception, but the specific award details point to this $112M order being the primary financial data point for this period. Without access to historical contract databases or previous award details for B52 information assurance at Tinker AFB prior to this specific order, it's difficult to establish a precise spending trend. However, the substantial value of this single order implies a consistent and significant requirement for these services over the contract period.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFWA20R0011

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

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: $226,867,779

Exercised Options: $179,496,931

Current Obligation: $112,127,039

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU308

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline