DoD's irregular warfare analysis support contract awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton for nearly $20M over 4 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,823,897 ($19.8M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-05-15

End Date: 2022-07-14

Contract Duration: 1,521 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IRREGULAR WARFARE ANALYSIS SUPPORT FOR JOINT STAFF J7 (JS J7), OFFICE OF IRREGULAR WARFARE (OIW)

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: IRREGULAR WARFARE ANALYSIS SUPPORT FOR JOINT STAFF J7 (JS J7), OFFICE OF IRREGULAR WARFARE (OIW) Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost overruns if not managed carefully. 3. Performance period spans over 4 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The NAICS code 541712 points to R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences, a specialized sector. 5. The contract was awarded as a Delivery Order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 6. The contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, is a large, established firm with significant government contracting experience.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without knowing the specific deliverables and market rates for specialized irregular warfare analysis. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires careful oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable relative to the value provided. Comparing this to similar R&D contracts in defense would offer more insight into its pricing and value proposition. The total award amount of nearly $20 million over four years suggests a significant investment in this capability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised and multiple bidders were likely encouraged to participate. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this approach generally fosters price discovery and allows the government to select from a wide range of qualified contractors. The competitive nature should theoretically lead to more favorable pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the government's investment in specialized defense analysis support.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Joint Staff J7 and the Office of Irregular Warfare (OIW), receiving critical analytical support. Services delivered include research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, specifically tailored to irregular warfare. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting joint staff operations and national security objectives. Workforce implications may include specialized analysts and researchers, potentially drawing from a highly skilled talent pool.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can lead to higher costs if not rigorously managed.
Long performance period requires sustained oversight to ensure continued relevance and value.
Specialized nature of R&D may limit the pool of qualified contractors, potentially impacting future competition.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical analysis could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Contractor has extensive experience in government contracting, suggesting a lower risk of execution failure.
Clear designation of services supports focused delivery and performance measurement.
Long duration allows for deep integration and development of expertise within the contractor team.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on defense-related analytical support for irregular warfare. The market for such specialized services is often dominated by large, established defense contractors with deep expertise and security clearances. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other DoD R&D contracts for intelligence analysis, strategic planning, and specialized scientific research, which can range from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Booz Allen Hamilton is a large business, and there is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contract is not directly benefiting the small business ecosystem, though large contractors may engage small businesses for specialized support under subcontracting agreements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of the Air Force, overseeing the Department of Defense. Accountability measures would be tied to the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure and performance metrics outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Irregular Warfare Support
Joint Staff J7 Operations
Office of Irregular Warfare (OIW) Initiatives
Defense Research and Development
Intelligence Analysis Support
Specialized Scientific Research Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent cost oversight.
Long contract duration necessitates sustained performance monitoring.
Specialized R&D nature may limit competition in future procurements.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. IRREGULAR WARFARE ANALYSIS SUPPORT FOR JOINT STAFF J7 (JS J7), OFFICE OF IRREGULAR WARFARE (OIW)

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 $19.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-05-15. End: 2022-07-14.

What is the track record of Booz Allen Hamilton in delivering similar irregular warfare analysis support to the DoD?

Booz Allen Hamilton has a long and extensive history of supporting the Department of Defense and other government agencies across a wide spectrum of services, including intelligence analysis, strategy development, and research and development. Their experience in complex domains like irregular warfare is well-documented through numerous past contracts. While specific performance metrics for this particular contract are not publicly detailed, the company's general reputation and consistent award of significant contracts suggest a strong capability to meet the requirements. However, like any large contractor, they have faced scrutiny on specific contracts regarding cost management and performance, necessitating robust government oversight.

How does the nearly $20 million award compare to other contracts for similar irregular warfare analysis support?

Comparing this $19.8 million award requires context on the scope, duration, and specific deliverables. Contracts for specialized R&D and analytical support in defense can vary significantly. For a four-year period, this amount suggests a substantial, ongoing requirement for expert analysis. Similar contracts might range from a few million dollars for shorter-term, focused studies to tens or even hundreds of millions for broader, multi-year programs involving extensive research, modeling, and simulation. Without detailed scope information, it's difficult to definitively benchmark, but the figure indicates a significant investment by the DoD in this capability.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D services?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, especially for R&D, is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts. While the 'fixed fee' provides a ceiling on profit, the 'cost plus' element means the government reimburses allowable costs. If cost-saving measures are not diligently pursued by the contractor, or if the government's oversight of allowable costs is insufficient, the total project cost can escalate beyond initial expectations. For R&D, where the scope and challenges can be uncertain, CPFF can be appropriate, but it demands rigorous monitoring of expenditures and progress to ensure value for money.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach in ensuring value for taxpayer money in specialized R&D contracts?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for taxpayer money, as it maximizes the number of potential bidders and encourages competitive pricing. By allowing any responsible source to submit an offer, the government can access a wider range of innovative solutions and potentially lower costs. For specialized R&D, this approach helps identify contractors with unique expertise and allows for a thorough evaluation of technical merit alongside price. However, the effectiveness is contingent on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria, and the government's ability to assess complex technical proposals accurately.

What are the potential implications of this contract on the broader irregular warfare research and analysis landscape?

This contract signifies a substantial government commitment to developing and refining capabilities in irregular warfare analysis. By awarding a significant contract to a major player like Booz Allen Hamilton, the DoD signals the importance it places on this domain. It can stimulate further research and development within the contractor's organization and potentially influence the direction of academic and private sector research in related fields. The contract's focus on R&D may lead to new methodologies, tools, or insights that could be shared (where appropriate) or adopted more broadly, enhancing the overall national security apparatus's understanding and response to irregular threats.

Are there any specific performance metrics or deliverables associated with this contract that indicate its success?

The provided data does not include specific performance metrics or detailed deliverables for this contract. Typically, such information is found within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). For an R&D contract like this, metrics might include the timely delivery of research reports, the development of analytical models, the successful completion of simulations, or the provision of actionable intelligence assessments. Success would be measured against the achievement of these defined objectives and the overall impact of the contractor's contributions on the Joint Staff's irregular warfare planning and execution capabilities.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER 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: $24,100,356

Exercised Options: $24,100,356

Current Obligation: $19,823,897

Actual Outlays: $441,391

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 12

Total Subaward Amount: $3,287,232

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