Air Force awards $52.8M for Nuclear Weapons Center support to Booz Allen Hamilton

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $52,808,456 ($52.8M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2017-07-07

End Date: 2022-06-22

Contract Duration: 1,811 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF WEAPONS SYSTEM SUPPORT AND ANALYSIS FOR THE AIR FORCE NUCLEAR WEAPONS CENTER (AFNWC)

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $52.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF WEAPONS SYSTEM SUPPORT AND ANALYSIS FOR THE AIR FORCE NUCLEAR WEAPONS CENTER (AFNWC) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single large business, Booz Allen Hamilton. 2. Spending falls under R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 3. Potential for high-risk if support is critical and performance is lacking. 4. Sector is defense, specifically Air Force nuclear weapons systems.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D support contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the award was a delivery order, implying it might be part of a larger IDIQ, and the specific price discovery for this order is not detailed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical defense research and development, with the ultimate impact depending on the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided.

Public Impact

Ensures continued support for critical Air Force nuclear weapons systems. Potential impact on national security readiness. Funds advanced research and development in a sensitive area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
  • Long contract duration (over 4 years) increases risk of cost escalation.
  • No small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded under full and open competition.
  • Supports critical national defense infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically for defense-related physical and engineering sciences. Spending benchmarks for specialized weapons system support can vary widely based on complexity and criticality.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication of small business participation in this contract. This suggests that the prime contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, is handling the entirety of the work, potentially missing opportunities for small business subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. The effectiveness of oversight is crucial for managing cost-plus contracts and ensuring mission success.

Related Government Programs

  • Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
  • Long contract duration.
  • No small business participation.
  • Highly specialized and sensitive nature of work.
  • Potential for cost overruns without strong oversight.

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $52.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. IGF::OT::IGF WEAPONS SYSTEM SUPPORT AND ANALYSIS FOR THE AIR FORCE NUCLEAR WEAPONS CENTER (AFNWC)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $52.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-07-07. End: 2022-06-22.

What is the specific breakdown of costs within the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, and how does it compare to industry standards for similar R&D support services?

A detailed breakdown of costs within the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure is not publicly available. This makes direct comparison to industry standards challenging. However, CPFF contracts generally include direct costs, indirect costs, and a fixed fee. Scrutiny of direct costs and the reasonableness of the fixed fee are key oversight areas to ensure value for taxpayer money.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is Booz Allen Hamilton's performance being measured against them to mitigate risks associated with long-term R&D support?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. Effective oversight would involve establishing clear, measurable KPIs related to technical performance, schedule adherence, and cost control. Regular performance reviews against these KPIs are essential to identify and mitigate risks proactively, ensuring the contractor meets the Air Force's needs for nuclear weapons system support.

How does the specialized nature of nuclear weapons system support impact the potential for competition and the overall cost-effectiveness of this contract?

The highly specialized and sensitive nature of nuclear weapons system support inherently limits the pool of qualified contractors, potentially reducing robust competition despite the 'full and open' designation. This specialization can drive up costs due to the unique expertise and security clearances required. Ensuring cost-effectiveness relies heavily on stringent oversight and performance management to prevent cost overruns and ensure the value delivered aligns with the significant investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTOTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: FA807513R0001

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

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: $53,853,369

Exercised Options: $53,853,369

Current Obligation: $52,808,456

Actual Outlays: $4,481,694

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $103,298

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA807514D0016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2017-07-07

Current End Date: 2022-06-22

Potential End Date: 2022-06-22 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-09-29

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