Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $3.7M for operational data tool development and source code policy support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,705,008 ($3.7M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2018-09-13

End Date: 2021-09-12

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: OPERATIONAL DATA TOOL DEVELOPMENT&SOURCE CODE POLICY SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22101

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $3.7 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: OPERATIONAL DATA TOOL DEVELOPMENT&SOURCE CODE POLICY SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risks include contractor performance and adherence to policy requirements. 4. Services support critical data management and policy development within the Federal Highway Administration. 5. This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.7 million over three years for operational data tool development and source code policy support is within a reasonable range for the services provided. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT development and policy support within government agencies suggests this pricing is competitive. The Time and Materials contract type allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of labor hours and rates to ensure value for money.

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 bids. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, full and open competition generally ensures a fair market price is achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the assurance that the government sought the best possible solution through a competitive process, aiming for optimal value.

Public Impact

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) benefits from enhanced operational data tools and clear source code policies. Improved data management capabilities can lead to more efficient operations and better decision-making within the agency. The development of source code policies ensures consistency and security in software development practices. This contract supports the agency's mission to ensure a safe, efficient, and modern transportation system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep given the nature of 'tool development'.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical policy support could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Contract duration of three years allows for sustained development and support.
Contractor has a significant presence in government contracting, suggesting experience.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically within the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code (541990). This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized services, including IT development, policy analysis, and management consulting. The market for such services within the federal government is substantial, with agencies frequently procuring expertise for complex data management and policy formulation tasks.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by this award. The primary contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, is a large business, and their subcontracting plans, if any, would be at their discretion.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Federal Highway Administration. Performance monitoring, adherence to contract terms, and quality of deliverables are key oversight areas. As a federal contract, it is subject to general government oversight mechanisms and potential review by Inspectors General if performance issues or fraud are suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Modernization Programs
Data Management and Analytics Services
Software Development Contracts
Transportation Policy Development

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Potential for scope creep in development projects.
Reliance on contractor expertise for critical policy support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $3.7 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. OPERATIONAL DATA TOOL DEVELOPMENT&SOURCE CODE POLICY SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-09-13. End: 2021-09-12.

What is the track record of Booz Allen Hamilton in delivering similar operational data tools and policy support to federal agencies?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a large, well-established government contractor with extensive experience in IT development, data analytics, and policy support across various federal agencies. They have a history of managing complex projects involving software development, system integration, and strategic policy formulation. While specific details on past performance for this exact type of 'operational data tool' and 'source code policy support' would require deeper analysis of their contract history, their broad capabilities suggest a strong capacity to meet these requirements. Past performance evaluations on similar contracts would be the most direct indicator of their success in delivering comparable services.

How does the $3.7 million contract value compare to similar government contracts for data tool development and policy support?

The $3.7 million contract value over three years for operational data tool development and source code policy support appears to be within a reasonable range for the federal market. Similar contracts for IT development, data analytics platforms, and policy advisory services can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the complexity, duration, and specific deliverables. Given that this contract involves both tool development and policy support, and was awarded through full and open competition, the price point suggests a competitive market rate for the expertise and services rendered. A more precise benchmark would require comparing it to contracts with identical NAICS codes and similar scope within the Department of Transportation or related agencies.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for data tool development?

Time and Materials contracts, while offering flexibility, carry inherent risks, particularly for development projects. The primary risk is cost overrun if the scope is not well-defined or if the contractor's labor hours are not efficiently managed. For data tool development, there's a risk of scope creep, where requirements expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to increased costs and extended timelines. Effective oversight is crucial to monitor labor hours, ensure rates are reasonable, and verify that the work performed directly contributes to the defined objectives. Without stringent management, T&M contracts can be less cost-predictable than fixed-price agreements.

How does the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category (NAICS 541990) typically perform in terms of value for money in federal contracting?

The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category is broad and encompasses a diverse range of specialized services. Value for money within this category heavily depends on the specific nature of the service procured and the effectiveness of the competition. When services are highly specialized or require unique expertise, competition might be limited, potentially impacting price. However, for more commoditized technical services, full and open competition can yield good value. The Federal Highway Administration's use of full and open competition for this specific contract suggests an effort to achieve value for money by allowing a wide range of qualified vendors to bid on the development of operational data tools and policy support.

What are the potential implications of this contract on the Federal Highway Administration's data management and policy enforcement capabilities?

This contract is directly aimed at enhancing the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) capabilities in data management and policy enforcement. The development of operational data tools is expected to improve the agency's ability to collect, process, analyze, and report on critical transportation data. This can lead to more informed decision-making, better resource allocation, and improved program effectiveness. Concurrently, the support for source code policy development will ensure that the software and systems used by the FHWA adhere to established standards for security, interoperability, and maintainability. Together, these services should strengthen the agency's operational efficiency and its ability to enforce relevant transportation policies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › TRANSPORTATION (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

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: $3,705,008

Exercised Options: $3,705,008

Current Obligation: $3,705,008

Actual Outlays: $2,229,868

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $40,748

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFH6116D00035

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline