Justice Department's $23M training center contract awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton shows fair competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,168,030 ($23.2M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2011-09-30

End Date: 2016-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,919 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE NATIONAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $23.2 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE NATIONAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risks include contractor performance and adherence to delivery schedules. 4. This contract supports a critical function for the Bureau of Justice Assistance. 5. The services fall within management consulting, a common government contracting area.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $23.2 million over five years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar contracts for national training and technical assistance centers is difficult without more specific service details. However, the duration and the nature of the services (management and consulting) indicate a potentially fair price, assuming the contractor delivers on all objectives. The price per year is roughly $4.6 million, which is within a plausible range for such a specialized support function.

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 5 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process like this one is beneficial for taxpayers as it helps drive down costs and ensures that the government is not overpaying for essential services.

Public Impact

State and local law enforcement agencies benefit from enhanced training and technical assistance. Improved operational effectiveness and efficiency for justice programs nationwide. Geographic impact is national, reaching various jurisdictions across the United States. Workforce implications include support for federal agency personnel and potentially external trainers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if training needs evolve significantly beyond initial projections.
Ensuring consistent quality of training and technical assistance across all delivered services.
Monitoring contractor performance to ensure adherence to program goals and timelines.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Booz Allen Hamilton is a large, established contractor with significant experience in government services.
The contract duration allows for sustained support and development of the training center.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. This sector is a significant area of federal spending, supporting a wide range of government functions. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous large and small businesses vying for contracts. The annual spending on administrative management and general management consulting services (NAICS 541611) typically runs into billions of dollars government-wide.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements mentioned. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, and opportunities for small businesses would likely be through subcontracting if initiated by the prime contractor. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was mandated or achieved.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Office of Justice Programs within the Department of Justice. Mechanisms likely include regular performance reviews, milestone tracking, and financial audits. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Justice Assistance grants and programs
Department of Justice training initiatives
National Institute of Justice research and development
Federal law enforcement training programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration and potential for cost overruns.
Performance monitoring and quality assurance.
Scope definition and management.
Data security and privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $23.2 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE NATIONAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Office of Justice Programs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-30. End: 2016-12-31.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with the Department of Justice and similar contracts?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a major federal contractor with extensive experience across numerous government agencies, including the Department of Justice. They have a long history of providing management consulting, IT, and support services. Reviewing their past performance evaluations and contract history with the DOJ would reveal their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contractual obligations. Specific to training and technical assistance, their portfolio likely includes similar engagements, demonstrating capability in managing complex support centers. However, any past performance issues or disputes would be critical to note for a comprehensive risk assessment.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar national training centers?

Direct comparison of this contract's value ($23.2 million over five years) to similar national training and technical assistance centers is challenging without detailed service scope and duration data for comparable contracts. However, the approximate annual value of $4.6 million appears moderate for a national-level support center. Factors influencing cost include the complexity of training, the number of personnel supported, the technology involved, and the geographic reach. A deeper analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar NAICS codes (541611) and service descriptions, then normalizing for contract length and scope to establish a more precise benchmark.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks include potential contractor underperformance, where Booz Allen Hamilton might fail to meet the quality or timeliness standards for training and technical assistance. There's also a risk of scope creep, where the needs of the Bureau of Justice Assistance evolve beyond the original contract's parameters, potentially leading to cost overruns or schedule delays. Ensuring effective knowledge transfer and continuity of operations, especially if the contract changes hands in the future, is another consideration. Finally, maintaining adequate security and data privacy for sensitive information handled during training is crucial.

How effective has the National Training and Technical Assistance Center been under this contract?

Assessing the effectiveness of the National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC) requires specific performance metrics and outcome data that are not detailed in the provided contract information. Typically, effectiveness would be measured by user satisfaction surveys, improvements in agency performance metrics post-training, the reach and impact of technical assistance, and the successful dissemination of best practices. Without access to these internal performance reports or independent evaluations, a definitive statement on effectiveness cannot be made. The contract's renewal or modification history could offer indirect clues about perceived success.

What are the historical spending patterns for this type of service within the Department of Justice?

Historical spending patterns for management and general management consulting services within the Department of Justice (DOJ) are substantial, reflecting the agency's complex operational and administrative needs. The DOJ frequently procures services in areas like policy development, program management, IT support, and training. Spending on contracts like this one, which supports a specific bureau's operational capacity, is a recurring necessity. Analyzing historical DOJ spending data for NAICS code 541611 and related service categories would reveal trends, identify major contractors, and indicate the typical scale and duration of such engagements, providing context for the $23.2 million award.

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

Solicitation ID: 2011Q_11003

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation

Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DR, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,931,309

Exercised Options: $26,931,309

Current Obligation: $23,168,030

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F9755H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline