Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $18.4M for COVID-19 data support to CDC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,422,886 ($18.4M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-05-10

End Date: 2023-05-10

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: DATA, ANALYTICS, & VISUALIZATION TASK FORCE ONGOING COVID-19 RESPONSE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30345

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $18.4 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: DATA, ANALYTICS, & VISUALIZATION TASK FORCE ONGOING COVID-19 RESPONSE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract provides critical data analytics and visualization support for the ongoing COVID-19 response. 2. The award was made under a broad agency announcement (BAA) call, indicating a focus on research and development. 3. The duration of the contract (730 days) suggests a sustained need for these services. 4. The contract type is labor hours, which can offer flexibility but requires careful monitoring of effort. 5. The geographic focus is Georgia, aligning with CDC's operational presence. 6. The contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, is a large, established firm with significant federal contracting experience.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $18.4 million over two years for specialized data support to the CDC's COVID-19 response appears reasonable given the critical nature of the work and the contractor's expertise. Benchmarking against similar large-scale data analytics and public health support contracts would provide further context, but the pricing is likely competitive given the full and open competition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The fact that it was a BPA call indicates it was likely competed among pre-qualified vendors under a larger contract vehicle, which can streamline the process while still ensuring competition. The number of bids received (6) is a healthy indicator of market interest and competitive tension.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment.

Public Impact

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) benefits directly through enhanced data analysis capabilities for its COVID-19 response. The public benefits from more timely and accurate insights into the pandemic, aiding public health decision-making. The services delivered include data visualization and analytics, crucial for understanding disease spread and impact. The primary geographic impact is within the United States, supporting national public health efforts, with specific operational focus in Georgia.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Labor hour contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed and monitored for efficiency.
The complexity of COVID-19 data may present challenges in analysis and visualization, requiring specialized skills.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical data support could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

The contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, has a strong track record in large-scale federal IT and data analytics projects.
The use of full and open competition suggests a robust selection process and potential for value.
The contract's focus on critical public health data during a pandemic is a high-impact, positive application of resources.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related services. The market for data analytics and visualization in public health has seen significant growth, particularly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Spending in this area supports government agencies in managing complex data sets for research, surveillance, and response efforts. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within IT services and public health consulting categories.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. The prime contractor is a large business. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses, which is a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem in supporting this critical federal need.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the contracting officers and program managers within the CDC. The contract's performance will be monitored against defined deliverables and milestones. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse, but specific IG involvement is not detailed here.

Related Government Programs

COVID-19 Public Health Data Surveillance
CDC Data Modernization Initiative
Federal Health IT Services
Public Health Analytics Support
Emergency Response Data Management

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns with labor-hour contracts.
Complexity of real-time data analysis during a pandemic.
Dependence on a single large contractor for critical functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $18.4 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. DATA, ANALYTICS, & VISUALIZATION TASK FORCE ONGOING COVID-19 RESPONSE 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 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-10. End: 2023-05-10.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with the CDC and similar health agencies?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a major federal contractor with extensive experience supporting various government agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its components like the CDC. They have a long history of providing IT, data analytics, cybersecurity, and management consulting services. Their past performance with the CDC likely includes numerous contracts related to public health surveillance, data management, and IT modernization. While specific details of past performance on similar COVID-19 related data contracts would require deeper analysis of contract databases, their established presence and broad capabilities suggest a strong foundation for undertaking this task. Their ability to secure and execute large, complex contracts with agencies like the CDC indicates a generally positive performance history, though individual contract performance can vary.

How does the $18.4 million value compare to similar data support contracts for public health crises?

The $18.4 million contract value for two years of data analytics and visualization support for the CDC's COVID-19 response is substantial but likely falls within the expected range for such critical, large-scale efforts. During major public health crises, federal agencies often procure significant IT and data support services. Contracts for data modernization, analytics platforms, and specialized support can range from millions to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and complexity. For instance, other agencies involved in pandemic response have awarded similar-sized contracts for data management, epidemiological modeling, and public health informatics. The value here reflects the specialized expertise and sustained effort required to process, analyze, and visualize vast amounts of sensitive health data in near real-time to inform public health policy and action.

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

Primary risks include potential cost overruns due to the labor-hour contract type if not managed efficiently, challenges in accurately analyzing and visualizing complex, rapidly evolving COVID-19 data, and potential performance issues from the contractor. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management by the CDC, including close monitoring of labor hours, regular performance reviews against defined metrics and deliverables, and clear communication channels with Booz Allen Hamilton. The contractor's established expertise and the full and open competition process also serve as risk mitigators, suggesting a capable vendor was selected. Furthermore, the contract's duration allows for iterative feedback and adjustments to ensure the data products meet evolving needs.

How effective is this contract likely to be in supporting the CDC's COVID-19 response?

This contract is likely to be highly effective in supporting the CDC's COVID-19 response. The award to a large, experienced contractor like Booz Allen Hamilton for specialized data analytics and visualization directly addresses a critical need. The ability to process and present complex data is essential for understanding disease trends, resource allocation, and public health messaging. The contract's focus on data support ensures that the CDC has the necessary tools and expertise to derive actionable insights from the vast datasets generated during the pandemic. The full and open competition process increases the likelihood that the most capable vendor was selected, further enhancing the potential for effective outcomes in informing public health strategies.

What are the historical spending patterns for data analytics and IT support at the CDC?

Historical spending patterns at the CDC for data analytics and IT support have been significant and generally increasing, reflecting the growing reliance on data-driven public health initiatives. The agency consistently invests in IT infrastructure, data management systems, and analytical capabilities to support its core missions, including disease surveillance, research, and outbreak response. Spending in these areas often fluctuates based on emerging public health threats and modernization efforts. The COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly led to a surge in demand and, consequently, spending on data-related services to manage the unprecedented volume and complexity of pandemic data. This contract aligns with that trend of substantial investment in data capabilities to address critical public health challenges.

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: 75D301-21-R-71773

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

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: $19,237,853

Exercised Options: $19,237,853

Current Obligation: $18,422,886

Actual Outlays: $18,422,886

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75D30119A06642

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline