Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $858K BPA Call for EPA Security Program Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $858,022 ($858.0K)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2024-02-09

End Date: 2027-02-10

Contract Duration: 1,097 days

Daily Burn Rate: $782/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: RTP (BADGE OFFICE) SUPPORT SERVICES, ON-SITE ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE SECURITY PROGRAM.

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $858,022.22 to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: RTP (BADGE OFFICE) SUPPORT SERVICES, ON-SITE ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE SECURITY PROGRAM. Key points: 1. Contract provides on-site administrative and technical support for the EPA's security program. 2. The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can pose cost control challenges. 3. Awarded via a BPA Call under a Full and Open Competition, suggesting a competitive process. 4. The duration of the contract is approximately three years, aligning with typical program support needs. 5. The North Carolina location for service delivery is noted. 6. The contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, is a large, established firm with significant federal contracting experience.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $858,022.22 over approximately three years appears reasonable for specialized administrative and technical support services. However, without specific details on the scope of work and the number of personnel required, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. Time and Materials contracts, by their nature, can lead to higher costs if not closely managed, as they reimburse actual labor and material costs plus a fee. Benchmarking against similar support services contracts for federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of pricing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a BPA Call, which implies it was competed among pre-qualified vendors on an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement. The 'Full and Open Competition' designation suggests that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature of the BPA Call process generally aims to ensure fair pricing and access to a range of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even within a BPA framework, is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing and innovative solutions, potentially leading to cost savings and better service quality.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from enhanced security program operations through dedicated administrative and technical support. Services delivered include on-site support crucial for the day-to-day functioning of the security program. The geographic impact is focused on North Carolina, where the services will be performed. The contract supports specialized roles within the federal workforce, potentially requiring specific security clearances and technical expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type introduces potential for cost overruns if not meticulously monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it challenging to gauge the effectiveness of the support services.
Limited transparency on the number of bidders in the BPA Call process hinders a full assessment of competition intensity.

Positive Signals

Awarded under Full and Open Competition, indicating a structured and potentially competitive procurement process.
Booz Allen Hamilton is a reputable contractor with extensive experience in federal IT and support services.
The contract duration of three years allows for program continuity and stability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically IT support and administrative services. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) is listed, though the description points more towards administrative and technical support. This sector is characterized by a mix of large, established firms like Booz Allen Hamilton and smaller specialized companies. Federal spending in this area is substantial, supporting a wide range of agency operations, from IT infrastructure to program management and security.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Booz Allen Hamilton is a large business. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or goals. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, though large prime contractors are often required to have small business subcontracting plans on larger contract vehicles.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers. As a BPA Call, it falls under the umbrella of the parent BPA, which would have its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is moderate, with the award details available, but specific performance metrics and detailed cost breakdowns are not publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

EPA Security Operations Support
Federal Administrative Support Services
IT Support Services Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Time and Materials Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Contract Type
Potential for Cost Overruns
Scope Creep Risk
Limited Performance Metrics Provided

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $858,022.22 to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. RTP (BADGE OFFICE) SUPPORT SERVICES, ON-SITE ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE SECURITY PROGRAM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $858,022.22.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-09. End: 2027-02-10.

What is the specific scope of 'administrative and technical support' for the security program?

The provided data offers a high-level description: 'RTP (BADGE OFFICE) SUPPORT SERVICES, ON-SITE ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE SECURITY PROGRAM.' This suggests the support could range from managing security clearances, access control, incident reporting, maintaining security documentation, providing help desk support for security systems, and potentially assisting with security awareness training. Without a detailed Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS), the precise nature and depth of these services remain undefined. Understanding the specific tasks, deliverables, and required skill sets would be crucial for a comprehensive analysis of the contract's value and performance.

How does the pricing structure of this Time and Materials (T&M) contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar support roles?

Time and Materials contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual cost of labor (at specified hourly rates) and materials, plus a fixed fee or percentage for profit. Benchmarking T&M pricing requires detailed information on the labor categories (e.g., junior analyst, senior technician), their hourly rates, and any associated overhead or material markups. Given that Booz Allen Hamilton is a large, established firm, their rates are likely to be at the higher end of the market spectrum compared to smaller, more specialized providers. A thorough comparison would involve analyzing the proposed hourly rates against GSA schedules, other agency T&M contracts for similar skill sets, and industry surveys. Without this granular data, it's difficult to definitively state if the pricing is competitive, though the 'Full and Open Competition' suggests an attempt to achieve fair market value.

What are the potential risks associated with a three-year Time and Materials contract for security program support?

The primary risk with a three-year T&M contract is cost escalation. Since the contractor is reimbursed for time and materials, there's an inherent incentive to bill for more hours or use more costly materials if not strictly managed. Scope creep is another significant risk; if the requirements of the security program evolve or expand, the T&M structure can accommodate these changes by simply billing for the additional effort, potentially leading to costs far exceeding initial projections. Contractor performance is also a risk; if the support provided is inadequate, the agency is still obligated to pay for the time and materials consumed. Effective oversight, clear performance metrics (even within a T&M framework), and robust change control processes are essential to mitigate these risks.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with the EPA and similar federal agencies for security support services?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a major federal contractor with a long history of providing a wide array of services, including IT, cybersecurity, and program support, to numerous government agencies, including the EPA. Their extensive experience suggests a strong understanding of federal procurement regulations and agency operational needs. While specific performance data for this exact type of security support at the EPA isn't detailed here, the agency's continued use of Booz Allen Hamilton, and the firm's overall reputation, generally indicate a satisfactory performance history. However, a deeper dive into past performance evaluations, any past disputes, or specific successes in similar EPA security initiatives would provide a more nuanced view of their capabilities and reliability for this contract.

How does this contract's value compare to overall EPA spending on security and administrative support?

The contract value of approximately $858,000 over three years represents a relatively modest investment within the context of a large federal agency like the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA's total budget runs into billions of dollars annually, encompassing a vast range of programs and operational costs. Spending on security and administrative support, while critical, typically constitutes a smaller fraction of the overall budget compared to core environmental programs. This specific contract likely funds a focused set of functions within the broader security apparatus. To provide a comparative benchmark, one would need to analyze the EPA's historical spending on similar support services, potentially looking at the total allocated budget for its Office of Homeland Security or equivalent security divisions, and the number and value of other contracts awarded for related functions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming 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: 68HERC24Q0025

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation

Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DR, MCLEAN, 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: $1,127,057

Exercised Options: $1,127,057

Current Obligation: $858,022

Actual Outlays: $617,747

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC23A0007

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline