Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $13.7M for vehicle infrastructure integration, highlighting IT services in transportation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,735,381 ($13.7M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2007-08-03

End Date: 2011-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,305 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.5K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATION SYSTEM INTEGRATION AND TEST

Place of Performance

Location: MC LEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $13.7 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATION SYSTEM INTEGRATION AND TEST Key points: 1. Contract value of $13.7 million for integration and testing services. 2. Services provided under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code. 3. Contract awarded by the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration. 4. Delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, indicating a phased approach. 5. Contract duration of approximately 3.5 years. 6. No small business set-aside noted, suggesting a focus on larger prime contractors.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.7 million for vehicle infrastructure integration and testing appears moderate for a federal IT services contract. Benchmarking against similar contracts for system integration and technical services within the Department of Transportation would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly, but it also allows for flexibility in complex projects. Without specific performance metrics or comparison data, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, suggesting it was competed among multiple vendors under an existing contract vehicle. The presence of 3 bidders indicates a degree of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery and innovation. However, the specific details of the competition, such as the number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria, are not provided. The competitive nature of the award is a positive signal for efficient use of funds.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a marketplace where contractors vie for the best price and performance.

Public Impact

Benefits the Federal Highway Administration by enhancing vehicle infrastructure integration and testing capabilities. Services delivered are critical for the advancement of transportation technology and safety. Geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include employment for technical and professional staff at Booz Allen Hamilton.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF pricing structure if not rigorously managed.
Limited transparency on specific performance metrics and outcomes achieved.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical integration and testing function.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating potential for good value.
Contractor (Booz Allen Hamilton) has a significant track record in federal IT services.
Services align with strategic goals of the Federal Highway Administration for infrastructure modernization.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on IT integration and testing for transportation infrastructure. The market for such services is substantial, driven by ongoing federal investments in modernizing transportation systems, enhancing safety, and improving efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within IT services contracts awarded to large system integrators by agencies like the Department of Transportation, Department of Defense, and others focused on infrastructure development.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that this was not a small business set-aside. Booz Allen Hamilton is a large prime contractor, suggesting that small businesses would likely participate as subcontractors if involved. The absence of specific subcontracting plans or goals in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Federal Highway Administration contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, though detailed performance data may be less accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Highway Administration IT Modernization Programs
Department of Transportation Vehicle Safety Initiatives
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Research and Development
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Deployment

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns with CPFF contract type.
Complexity of integrating diverse vehicle and infrastructure systems.
Evolving technology landscape may require scope adjustments.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities in connected transportation systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $13.7 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATION SYSTEM INTEGRATION AND TEST

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-08-03. End: 2011-02-28.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with the Department of Transportation for similar IT integration services?

Booz Allen Hamilton has a long-standing and extensive track record of providing IT, engineering, and management consulting services to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and its various agencies, including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). They have been involved in numerous projects related to transportation systems modernization, data analytics, cybersecurity, and infrastructure planning. Their history with DOT suggests a deep understanding of the agency's mission and operational needs. Specific to vehicle infrastructure integration, they have likely supported initiatives aimed at improving safety, efficiency, and connectivity within the transportation network. Reviewing their past performance on similar DOT contracts would reveal their ability to deliver complex technical solutions within budget and schedule.

How does the $13.7 million contract value compare to other vehicle infrastructure integration projects?

The $13.7 million contract value for the VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATION SYSTEM INTEGRATION AND TEST project is a moderate figure within the realm of federal IT and engineering services. Larger-scale system integration projects for national infrastructure initiatives can range from tens of millions to billions of dollars. However, for a specific system integration and testing phase, especially as a delivery order under a larger vehicle, $13.7 million is a substantial amount. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare it against contracts for similar scope and complexity awarded by the FHWA or other transportation-related agencies over the same period. Factors like the specific technologies involved, the duration of the effort, and the level of customization required would influence the appropriate comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of IT integration contract?

Primary risks associated with this IT integration contract include technical complexity and integration challenges, where ensuring seamless interoperability between different vehicle and infrastructure systems can be difficult. Schedule delays are also a significant risk, particularly in R&D-intensive or rapidly evolving technology areas. Cost overruns are a concern, especially with Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts, if project scope expands or unforeseen technical hurdles arise. Furthermore, cybersecurity risks are inherent in any system dealing with connected infrastructure, requiring robust security measures. Contractor performance risk, while mitigated by Booz Allen Hamilton's experience, always exists, as does the risk of changing government requirements or priorities impacting the project's direction.

How effective is the competitive delivery order mechanism for ensuring value in transportation IT projects?

The competitive delivery order mechanism is generally effective for ensuring value in transportation IT projects, provided the underlying contract vehicle was itself competitively awarded and the delivery order process maintains robust competition. It allows agencies to procure specific services or solutions efficiently without needing to re-compete the entire contract. For this specific contract, having 3 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for the delivery order. This competition drives better pricing and encourages contractors to propose innovative solutions. However, the effectiveness is contingent on clear statement of work, fair evaluation criteria, and sufficient market interest. If the underlying contract vehicle has limited competition, the delivery order's value proposition diminishes.

What are the historical spending patterns for vehicle infrastructure integration at the Federal Highway Administration?

Historical spending patterns for vehicle infrastructure integration at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reflect a growing emphasis on leveraging technology to improve transportation safety, efficiency, and sustainability. The FHWA has consistently invested in research, development, and deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), which encompass vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technologies. Spending in this area has likely increased over time as technologies mature and federal initiatives like connected and automated vehicle (CAV) programs gain traction. This $13.7 million contract represents a specific investment within this broader trend, likely supporting testing and integration phases of these advanced transportation systems.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (UEI: 964725688)

Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DRIVE, MCLEAN, VA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,735,381

Exercised Options: $13,735,381

Current Obligation: $13,735,381

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFH6106D00006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline