ARPA-E's Technical Support Contract Awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton for $20.3M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,326,605 ($20.3M)
Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2025-02-28
End Date: 2025-08-31
Contract Duration: 184 days
Daily Burn Rate: $110.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: TECHNICAL PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES THAT SUPPORT ARPA-E.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $20.3 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: TECHNICAL PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES THAT SUPPORT ARPA-E. Key points: 1. Booz Allen Hamilton secured a significant contract for technical, professional, and administrative support services. 2. The contract value of $20.3 million indicates a substantial need for specialized expertise within ARPA-E. 3. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category suggests a broad range of support functions. 4. The relatively short duration (184 days) might imply a specific project or a bridge to a larger initiative.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $20.3 million for 184 days of service appears reasonable given the specialized nature of ARPA-E's work. Benchmarking against similar broad professional services contracts would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for these essential support services.
Public Impact
Supports ARPA-E's mission to advance energy technologies. Ensures continuity of critical technical and administrative functions. Provides specialized expertise not readily available internally. Impacts the pace of innovation and project execution within ARPA-E.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Short contract duration may indicate a temporary need or potential for follow-on work.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical support functions.
- Potential for scope creep given the broad service description.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports a high-impact agency like ARPA-E.
- Experienced contractor in Booz Allen Hamilton.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category often supporting government research and development agencies. Spending in this sector is typically driven by the need for specialized expertise and project-specific support.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton, a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, which is common for large, complex service contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Energy's contracting office managed this award. Oversight will focus on performance against the contract's scope of work and adherence to labor hour billing.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for service disruption due to short contract duration.
- Reliance on a single large business contractor.
- Broad service description may lead to scope management challenges.
- Lack of small business participation.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-energy, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $20.3 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. TECHNICAL PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES THAT SUPPORT ARPA-E.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-02-28. End: 2025-08-31.
What specific technical and administrative functions are included in this contract, and how do they align with ARPA-E's strategic goals?
The contract covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' supporting ARPA-E. This broad description likely encompasses a range of activities such as research support, data analysis, project management assistance, and administrative tasks crucial for ARPA-E's mission of accelerating transformative energy technologies. The alignment with strategic goals would depend on the specific tasks defined in the delivery order, ensuring they directly contribute to ARPA-E's program objectives and operational efficiency.
What is the potential risk associated with the short contract duration and the reliance on a single vendor for these critical support services?
The short duration (184 days) poses a risk of service disruption if a follow-on contract is not secured promptly, potentially impacting ARPA-E's operations. Relying on a single vendor, even an experienced one like Booz Allen Hamilton, can limit flexibility and potentially lead to complacency or reduced innovation in service delivery. It also concentrates risk; if the vendor underperforms or faces internal issues, ARPA-E's support functions could be significantly affected.
How effectively does the full and open competition process ensure value for money for these specialized support services, given the contractor's established reputation?
Full and open competition is designed to maximize value for money by encouraging multiple bids and driving down prices. Even with an established contractor like Booz Allen Hamilton, the competitive process forces them to offer their best pricing and technical approach. The effectiveness is measured by the number of bids received and the final negotiated price relative to the scope of work and market rates. ARPA-E's ability to secure competitive pricing despite the specialized nature of the services indicates the process likely yielded good value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation
Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DR, MC LEAN, 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: $21,734,070
Exercised Options: $21,734,070
Current Obligation: $20,326,605
Actual Outlays: $20,048,838
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 3
Total Subaward Amount: $253,353
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89703024DAR000002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-02-28
Current End Date: 2025-08-31
Potential End Date: 2025-10-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-10-30
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