Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $22M for CCDC Chemical Biological Center technical support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,045,894 ($22.0M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-01-02

End Date: 2025-01-02

Contract Duration: 1,827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: P1 19-1889, TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO COMBAT CAPABILITIES DEVELOPMENT COMMAND CCDC) CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE

Place of Performance

Location: GUNPOWDER, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21010

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $22.0 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: P1 19-1889, TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO COMBAT CAPABILITIES DEVELOPMENT COMMAND CCDC) CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, established large business. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of 5 years indicates a long-term need for services. 4. Services fall under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 5. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 6. No small business set-aside, indicating potential for large business dominance. 7. The contract is a delivery order under a larger IDIQ or similar vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $22,045,894.42 over five years averages to approximately $4.4 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar R&D support contracts is challenging without more specific service details. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while common for R&D, carries inherent risks of cost escalation if the scope is not tightly defined or if unforeseen technical challenges arise. The fixed fee component provides some cost certainty for the contractor's profit, but the government bears the risk of actual costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. While the number of bidders is not specified, this method generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and value for the government. The specific details of the bidding process and the number of proposals received would provide further insight into the actual level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Chemical Biological Center benefits from specialized technical support. Services likely contribute to the advancement of chemical and biological defense capabilities. The contract supports research and development efforts within the Department of Defense. Workforce implications include employment for highly skilled technical and scientific personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can incentivize contractor to incur costs to increase profit if not properly managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics or KPIs makes it difficult to assess contractor efficiency and effectiveness.
Long contract duration (5 years) may reduce flexibility to adapt to changing technological needs or market conditions.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Contractor (Booz Allen Hamilton) is a large, established firm with significant experience in government contracting.
Services directly support critical national security missions within the CCDC.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for R&D support services for defense agencies is substantial, with numerous large and small businesses competing for contracts. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific technical expertise required, but R&D services for defense often command significant investment due to the critical nature of the work.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee is a large business. There is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. This suggests that the primary focus is on leveraging the capabilities of large, established contractors for this specialized R&D support, potentially limiting direct opportunities for small businesses on this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program management office within the Department of Defense. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates careful monitoring of costs and performance to ensure value for money. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting mechanisms, though specific details of ongoing oversight activities are not publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC)
Chemical Biological Center
Department of Defense Research and Development
Technical Support Services

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk for the government.
Long contract duration may reduce flexibility.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the award data makes value assessment difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $22.0 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. P1 19-1889, TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO COMBAT CAPABILITIES DEVELOPMENT COMMAND CCDC) CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE

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 $22.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-01-02. End: 2025-01-02.

What is the historical spending pattern for technical support at the CCDC Chemical Biological Center?

Analyzing historical spending for technical support at the CCDC Chemical Biological Center requires access to detailed federal procurement databases. However, contracts of this nature, supporting critical R&D functions, typically represent a consistent investment by the Department of Defense. Spending patterns can fluctuate based on evolving threats, technological advancements, and budgetary allocations. For instance, periods of heightened focus on specific biological or chemical threats might see an increase in related R&D spending. The current $22 million award over five years suggests a sustained level of investment in this area, aligning with the ongoing need for specialized expertise in chemical and biological defense.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types for R&D services?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is common for research and development (R&D) where the scope of work is not fully defined at the outset, making it difficult to establish a firm fixed price. In a CPFF contract, the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs and pays a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This contrasts with Fixed-Price contracts, where the price is set regardless of costs incurred, offering more cost certainty to the government but potentially higher risk for the contractor. Cost-Reimbursement contracts (like Cost Plus Incentive Fee or Cost Plus Award Fee) also share costs with the government but may include performance incentives. CPFF offers a balance, providing flexibility for R&D while capping the contractor's profit, though it places the cost risk primarily on the government.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with similar Department of Defense R&D contracts?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a major government contractor with extensive experience supporting the Department of Defense (DoD) across various domains, including R&D. They have a long history of providing technical, analytical, and strategic consulting services to military branches and defense agencies. Their track record with DoD R&D contracts typically involves supporting complex scientific and engineering challenges, program management, and policy development. While specific performance details for individual contracts are often proprietary, Booz Allen Hamilton's consistent presence and significant contract awards suggest a generally positive performance history and a strong understanding of DoD requirements. Their ability to secure large, multi-year contracts like this one indicates a level of trust and proven capability.

What are the potential risks associated with this specific contract award?

The primary risks associated with this contract stem from its Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure and the nature of R&D work. CPFF contracts place the cost risk on the government, meaning that if the contractor's costs exceed estimates, the government is obligated to cover them, potentially leading to budget overruns. The 'fixed fee' component is set upfront, but the total cost can still escalate significantly. Furthermore, R&D inherently involves uncertainty; technical challenges may arise that are more complex or time-consuming than anticipated, impacting timelines and costs. Without detailed performance metrics, ensuring the contractor is delivering optimal value and efficiency can also be a challenge. Finally, the long duration of the contract could lead to misalignment if the CCDC's needs evolve significantly over the five-year period.

How does the NAICS code 541715 inform the scope of services provided?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology),' provides a clear indication of the contract's scope. This code signifies that the services procured are focused on scientific inquiry and experimentation within these broad fields. For the CCDC Chemical Biological Center, this likely translates to research into areas such as materials science, chemical processes, biological defense mechanisms, engineering solutions for protection, and related analytical or testing services. It excludes highly specialized areas like nanotechnology and biotechnology, suggesting the contract's focus is on more established or foundational R&D within the physical, engineering, and life sciences relevant to chemical and biological defense.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

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: $45,322,686

Exercised Options: $45,322,686

Current Obligation: $22,045,894

Actual Outlays: $2,497,487

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 6

Total Subaward Amount: $1,251,844

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA807518D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline