Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $64M contract for DHS ICE HSI RAVEN program analytics support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $64,095,600 ($64.1M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-12-03

End Date: 2026-05-28

Contract Duration: 1,637 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: EO14042 DHS ICE REQUIRES DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND DATA ANALYTICS SUPPORT FOR THE DHS ICE HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS (HSI) REPOSITORY FOR ANALYTICS IN VIRTUALIZED ENVIRONMENT (RAVEN) PROGRAM.

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $64.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: EO14042 DHS ICE REQUIRES DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND DATA ANALYTICS SUPPORT FOR THE DHS ICE HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS (HSI) REPOSITORY FOR ANALYTICS IN VIRTUALIZED ENVIRONMENT (RAVEN) PROGRAM. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical data analytics for homeland security investigations. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process. 3. Firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs. 4. Long duration (2021-2026) indicates a significant, ongoing need. 5. Virginia-based awardee suggests potential for regional economic impact. 6. No small business set-aside indicates focus on large prime contractors.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $64.1 million over approximately 4.5 years appears reasonable for specialized data analytics and development support for a program like HSI RAVEN. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT and data analytics contracts within DHS, this value falls within expected ranges for complex system development and sustainment. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the contractor can manage their expenses effectively. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive nature of the award suggests a degree of price efficiency.

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. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this significant IT services contract. A competitive process like this generally leads to better price discovery and encourages contractors to offer their best value propositions to secure the award. The government likely benefited from multiple proposals to evaluate, potentially driving down costs and improving the quality of the offered solution.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the most cost-effective solution for essential homeland security data analytics capabilities.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and specifically the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division, enhancing their investigative and analytical capabilities. The contract delivers crucial support for the RAVEN program, enabling advanced data analytics for critical national security functions. The geographic impact is primarily centered in Virginia, where the contractor is based, potentially creating or sustaining high-skilled jobs. Workforce implications include the need for specialized data scientists, software developers, and cybersecurity professionals within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep given the long duration and complex nature of data analytics projects.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical analytics infrastructure could pose long-term dependency risks.
Ensuring data security and privacy compliance for sensitive HSI data is paramount and requires continuous vigilance.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive pricing environment.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
Booz Allen Hamilton is a well-established contractor with significant experience in government IT and analytics.
The contract supports a critical national security program (RAVEN), indicating alignment with agency priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT and professional services sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511). The market for government IT services, particularly those involving data analytics, cybersecurity, and mission support, is substantial. This contract represents a significant investment by DHS in leveraging advanced technology for its investigative functions. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar large-scale IT development and analytics support contracts within federal agencies often range in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and the prime contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, is a large business. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing specialized expertise and capabilities available from larger firms. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. However, large prime contractors often utilize small business subcontractors for specific components or services, which could provide opportunities for the small business ecosystem, though this is not guaranteed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officer and program managers. Performance reviews, regular reporting requirements, and milestone tracking are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting requirements. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

DHS HSI Investigative Systems
Federal Data Analytics Programs
Homeland Security IT Modernization
National Security Information Systems
Customs and Border Protection IT Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for technology obsolescence over contract duration.
Risk of contractor lock-in due to specialized knowledge.
Need for robust oversight to manage scope and performance.
Data security and privacy compliance are critical.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $64.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. EO14042 DHS ICE REQUIRES DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND DATA ANALYTICS SUPPORT FOR THE DHS ICE HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS (HSI) REPOSITORY FOR ANALYTICS IN VIRTUALIZED ENVIRONMENT (RAVEN) PROGRAM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $64.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-12-03. End: 2026-05-28.

What is the specific nature of the 'RAVEN' program and its importance to HSI?

The RAVEN (Repository for Analytics in Virtualized Environment) program is a critical initiative for DHS's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Its primary purpose is to consolidate and analyze vast amounts of data from various sources to support investigations into complex criminal activities, including human trafficking, drug smuggling, financial crimes, and cyber threats. By providing advanced analytical tools and a centralized repository, RAVEN enables HSI agents and analysts to identify patterns, connect disparate pieces of information, and gain actionable intelligence more effectively. The importance lies in its ability to enhance HSI's operational capabilities, improve resource allocation, and ultimately contribute to national security by disrupting and dismantling transnational criminal organizations.

How does the firm-fixed-price contract type benefit the government in this context?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally advantageous for the government when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks of cost overruns are manageable. In this case, for the DHS ICE HSI RAVEN program support, an FFP contract provides cost certainty. The contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, is obligated to complete the work for the agreed-upon price, regardless of their actual costs. This shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. For the government, this means a predictable budget expenditure, making financial planning easier. It incentivizes the contractor to manage their resources efficiently and control costs to maximize their profit margin. However, it requires clear performance standards and deliverables to ensure the government receives the intended value.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-duration contract for data analytics support?

Long-duration contracts, like this one extending to May 2026, for complex data analytics support carry several potential risks. Firstly, technology evolves rapidly; the systems and tools relevant today might be outdated by the contract's end, requiring significant adaptation or modernization. Secondly, the scope of work can be challenging to define precisely upfront for evolving analytical needs, increasing the risk of scope creep, where additional requirements are added without corresponding adjustments to cost or schedule, or conversely, requirements may be poorly defined leading to disputes. Thirdly, there's a risk of contractor 'lock-in,' where the government becomes heavily reliant on the incumbent contractor's specific knowledge and systems, making future transitions difficult and potentially costly. Finally, maintaining consistent performance and quality over an extended period requires robust oversight and contractor motivation.

How does the 'full and open competition' impact the value proposition for taxpayers?

Awarding a contract through 'full and open competition' is generally beneficial for taxpayers. It ensures that a wide range of potential vendors, including large and small businesses (if applicable), have the opportunity to bid on the contract. This broad competition typically drives down prices as companies vie to offer the most attractive bid to win the work. It also encourages innovation and efficiency, as contractors are motivated to propose the best technical solutions and cost-effective approaches to outperform their rivals. For taxpayers, this means the government is more likely to secure high-quality services or products at a competitive market price, maximizing the value derived from public funds allocated to this contract for the HSI RAVEN program.

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

Booz Allen Hamilton is a major government contractor with extensive experience across various federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). They have a long history of providing IT services, data analytics, cybersecurity, and management consulting to defense, intelligence, and civilian agencies. Their track record includes numerous large-scale contracts involving complex systems development, data integration, and mission support. While specific performance details for every contract are not publicly available, their continued success in winning significant government awards suggests a generally positive performance history and a strong capability to meet demanding requirements. However, like any large contractor, they may have faced challenges or scrutiny on specific projects over their long history.

Can we compare this contract's value to other similar federal data analytics initiatives?

Comparing this $64.1 million contract value requires careful consideration of scope, duration, and specific services. Federal contracts for data analytics, IT modernization, and system development can vary widely. For instance, large-scale enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementations or major cloud migration projects can run into hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. However, contracts focused on specific program support, like HSI RAVEN, often fall in the tens to low hundreds of millions. Given the 4.5-year duration and the specialized nature of supporting a critical investigative analytics repository, $64.1 million appears to be within a reasonable range for a firm-fixed-price award resulting from full and open competition. It's less than massive system overhauls but substantial for dedicated program support.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - DELIVERY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70CTD021Q00000134

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $70,338,290

Exercised Options: $64,095,600

Current Obligation: $64,095,600

Actual Outlays: $43,939,629

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 6

Total Subaward Amount: $3,714,959

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F386DA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline