Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $75.4M task order for COVID-19 rapid support to HHS

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $75,445,155 ($75.4M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-03-30

End Date: 2024-09-27

Contract Duration: 912 days

Daily Burn Rate: $82.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRANSFER OF USAF TASK ORDER TO BARDA FOR COVID-19 RAPID SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20515

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $75.4 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: TRANSFER OF USAF TASK ORDER TO BARDA FOR COVID-19 RAPID SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in pandemic preparedness and response. 2. Competition dynamics for this task order are crucial for ensuring fair pricing. 3. Performance risk is moderate, given the critical nature of COVID-19 support. 4. This contract falls within administrative management and general management consulting services. 5. The duration of the contract suggests a sustained need for these services. 6. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. indicates a concentration of federal operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $75.4 million award to Booz Allen Hamilton for COVID-19 rapid support appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale public health consulting contracts, especially those related to emergency response, suggests that the pricing is within an expected range. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, although it places the cost risk on the contractor. Without detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the scale of the award aligns with the critical and urgent nature of pandemic support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the full and open nature suggests a competitive process that should drive favorable pricing and service quality. This approach is generally preferred for large contracts to ensure the government receives the best value from a wide pool of potential providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition maximizes taxpayer value by fostering a competitive environment that encourages lower bids and innovative solutions, preventing potential overspending associated with less competitive procurement methods.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies requiring rapid support for COVID-19 response efforts, particularly within the Department of Health and Human Services. Services delivered likely include strategic planning, logistical support, data analysis, and program management related to the pandemic. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., where many federal agencies are headquartered. Workforce implications include the potential for Booz Allen Hamilton to deploy a significant number of consultants and subject matter experts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'rapid support' is not tightly managed.
Reliance on a single large contractor could limit flexibility in adapting to rapidly evolving pandemic needs.
Ensuring adequate performance monitoring and quality control over a long-duration contract is essential.

Positive Signals

Booz Allen Hamilton is a well-established contractor with extensive experience in government consulting.
The firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the government.
Awarding under full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
The contract's focus on critical COVID-19 support addresses an urgent national need.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Management and Consulting Services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide range of professional services. The market for these services, particularly to the federal government, is substantial and highly competitive. This specific award is tied to public health and emergency preparedness, a niche within the broader consulting market that saw increased demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large federal contracts for management consulting, especially those supporting health agencies or crisis response.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside provisions. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is likely minimal for this specific award. However, Booz Allen Hamilton, as a large prime contractor, may be required to meet subcontracting goals with small businesses as part of their overall contract obligations, which could indirectly benefit the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). Accountability measures are embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

HHS COVID-19 Response Programs
Federal Pandemic Preparedness Initiatives
Public Health Emergency Management Consulting
Government Administrative Support Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Performance Monitoring
Scope Definition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $75.4 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. TRANSFER OF USAF TASK ORDER TO BARDA FOR COVID-19 RAPID 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 Health and Human Services (Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $75.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-30. End: 2024-09-27.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with similar large-scale federal health or emergency response contracts?

Booz Allen Hamilton has a long and extensive history of supporting federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), across a wide array of critical missions. They have significant experience in areas directly relevant to pandemic response, such as public health modernization, health IT, data analytics, and emergency preparedness and response planning. While specific contract details for every engagement are not publicly available, their consistent presence as a prime contractor on large, complex federal contracts, including those involving national security and public health crises, suggests a strong capability and established performance record. Their ability to secure and execute contracts of this magnitude indicates a proven capacity to manage resources, personnel, and complex project requirements for government clients.

How does the $75.4 million value compare to other federal contracts for similar COVID-19 rapid support services?

The $75.4 million award is substantial, reflecting the critical and urgent nature of providing rapid support during a pandemic. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare it against other large task orders or contracts specifically for COVID-19 response consulting, logistical support, or program management awarded across various federal agencies during the pandemic. Many such contracts, particularly those involving vaccine distribution, testing infrastructure, or public health messaging campaigns, reached tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars. Given that this task order is for 'rapid support,' it implies a broad scope of services potentially encompassing strategic planning, operational assistance, and data analysis to accelerate response efforts. Therefore, while large, the value is likely commensurate with the scale and urgency of the pandemic response needs addressed by HHS.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep, where the definition of 'rapid support' might expand beyond initial intentions, leading to cost overruns or schedule delays. Another risk is performance variability, ensuring consistent quality of service delivery over the contract's duration. Dependence on a single large contractor could also pose a risk if flexibility is needed to adapt to rapidly changing pandemic conditions. Mitigation strategies likely include robust contract management by HHS, clear definition and monitoring of performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and potentially incorporating mechanisms for adaptive planning. The firm-fixed-price nature also shifts some cost risk to the contractor, incentivizing efficient performance.

What is the expected effectiveness of these consulting services in enhancing the federal government's COVID-19 response?

The effectiveness of these consulting services hinges on the specific tasks performed and the expertise brought by Booz Allen Hamilton. If the services focus on critical areas such as optimizing vaccine distribution logistics, improving data collection and analysis for epidemiological tracking, enhancing public health communication strategies, or streamlining administrative processes for response programs, they can significantly boost the government's effectiveness. Experienced consultants can provide strategic insights, operational efficiencies, and specialized knowledge that agency personnel may lack or not have the capacity to develop quickly. The 'rapid support' designation suggests an aim to accelerate decision-making and implementation, which is crucial in a dynamic public health crisis. Ultimately, effectiveness will be measured by tangible improvements in response outcomes.

How has federal spending on administrative management and general management consulting services evolved, particularly in relation to public health crises?

Federal spending on administrative management and general management consulting services (NAICS code 541611) has historically been substantial, supporting a wide range of government functions. In recent years, particularly following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, spending in this category has seen significant increases, especially within agencies like HHS. This surge reflects the government's need for external expertise to manage complex, large-scale initiatives, crisis response, and the rapid scaling of public health programs. Contracts related to pandemic preparedness, response, and recovery have driven a notable portion of this growth. The trend indicates a reliance on specialized consulting firms to augment government capacity during national emergencies and to address intricate policy and operational challenges.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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

Offers Received: 1

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: $75,445,155

Exercised Options: $75,445,155

Current Obligation: $75,445,155

Actual Outlays: $75,445,155

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA701420D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline