USTRANSCOM awards $22M contract for medical evacuation command and control services to Booz Allen Hamilton

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,079,768 ($22.1M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-09-01

End Date: 2016-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,734 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: USTRANSCOM MEDICAL REGULATING AND COMMAND AND CONTROL EVACUATION SERVICES

Place of Performance

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

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $22.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: USTRANSCOM MEDICAL REGULATING AND COMMAND AND CONTROL EVACUATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of approximately 1734 days (over 4 years) indicates a significant, long-term need. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by establishing a set price for services. 4. Booz Allen Hamilton, a large established contractor, is performing the work. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541712 points to Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 6. The contract was awarded by USTRANSCOM, a key component of the Department of Defense. 7. The delivery order type suggests this is part of a larger contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar medical evacuation command and control services. The total award amount of approximately $22 million over nearly five years suggests a moderate annual spend. However, without knowing the scope of services, personnel hours, or specific deliverables, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent value for money. Further analysis would require comparing unit costs for specific services rendered against industry standards or other government contracts for similar support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a 'full and open competition' procurement, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The fact that it was competed suggests that the government sought to leverage market competition to obtain the best value. The number of bidders is not specified, but a full and open competition generally implies multiple interested parties, which can lead to more competitive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and ensures that the government explores a broad range of potential solutions, potentially leading to cost savings and improved service delivery.

Public Impact

Service members requiring medical evacuation will benefit from efficient command and control processes. The contract supports the Department of Defense's logistical and medical readiness capabilities. Operations are likely to have a national impact, given the scope of USTRANSCOM's mission. The contract supports a workforce involved in specialized logistical and medical command and control functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the scope of services expands beyond initial estimates.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical medical evacuation command and control could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The specific nature of R&D in this context might lead to unforeseen technical challenges or delays.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Fixed-price contract type helps to control costs and provides budget certainty.
Booz Allen Hamilton has a significant track record in government contracting, implying experience and established processes.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically related to medical logistics and command and control. This is a specialized area within the broader defense services market. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other Department of Defense contracts for medical support, logistical command systems, or specialized R&D services. The market for such specialized services is often dominated by a few large, experienced contractors.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the nature of the services and the prime contractor, it is possible that small businesses may be involved as subcontractors, but this information is not provided in the data. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the extent of any subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by USTRANSCOM contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

USTRANSCOM Medical Logistics Support
DoD Medical Evacuation Systems
Defense Health Agency Contracts
Logistics Command and Control Systems
Government R&D Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in R&D contracts.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical services.
Need for specialized personnel in medical logistics and command.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $22.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. USTRANSCOM MEDICAL REGULATING AND COMMAND AND CONTROL EVACUATION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (USTRANSCOM).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-01. End: 2016-05-31.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with similar USTRANSCOM or DoD medical logistics contracts?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a large, well-established government contractor with extensive experience across various defense and civilian agencies, including the Department of Defense and USTRANSCOM. They have a history of performing complex logistical, IT, and R&D services. While specific details on prior contracts directly mirroring this 'medical regulating and command and control evacuation services' are not provided in this data snippet, their broad capabilities suggest they are well-positioned for such work. Their past performance on other large-scale DoD contracts would be a key factor in their selection for this award, indicating a level of trust and proven ability to deliver on complex requirements within the defense sector.

How does the $22 million award compare to historical spending on similar medical evacuation command and control services by USTRANSCOM?

Direct historical spending comparisons for this specific service are difficult without access to detailed historical contract data for "medical regulating and command and control evacuation services." The $22 million award over approximately 1734 days (roughly 4.75 years) equates to an average annual spend of about $4.6 million. This figure needs to be contextualized by the scope and complexity of the services provided. USTRANSCOM's overall budget and spending on medical logistics and transportation command and control would provide a broader benchmark. Without more granular data on previous contracts for this precise function, it's challenging to definitively state if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment compared to past efforts.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for Booz Allen Hamilton and the government?

For Booz Allen Hamilton, the primary risks include potential cost overruns if the scope of work expands unexpectedly, challenges in recruiting and retaining specialized personnel with the required medical and logistical expertise, and performance failures that could lead to penalties or reputational damage. For the government, key risks involve potential disruptions to critical medical evacuation command and control if the contractor underperforms or fails, reliance on a single entity for a vital function, and the possibility that the services provided may not fully meet evolving operational needs. Ensuring clear performance metrics and robust oversight are crucial to mitigating these risks.

How effective is the fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money in this R&D-focused service contract?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally intended to provide cost control and predictability for the government. In an R&D context, however, FFP can sometimes create tension. If the R&D objectives are not clearly defined or if unforeseen technical challenges arise, the contractor may face difficulties in delivering the full scope within the fixed price, potentially leading to requests for change orders or reduced scope. Conversely, if the R&D is well-defined and the contractor is efficient, FFP can yield significant savings. The effectiveness here hinges on the clarity of the SOW and the contractor's ability to manage R&D complexities within the agreed-upon price.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 541712 (Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) for this contract?

The NAICS code 541712 indicates that the core of this contract involves research and development activities within the physical, engineering, and life sciences, excluding biotechnology. For a medical evacuation command and control services contract, this suggests that the work may involve developing or improving systems, processes, or technologies related to how medical evacuations are managed, regulated, and commanded. This could include areas like data analytics for evacuation planning, simulation modeling for response times, or the development of new communication protocols. It signifies that the contract is not just for routine service delivery but includes an element of innovation and advancement in the field.

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: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HTC71111RD008

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (UEI: 964725688)

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: $23,201,137

Exercised Options: $22,079,768

Current Obligation: $22,079,768

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $582,116

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HC102808D2015

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline