DoD's $25.2M Cognitive Electronic Warfare Software Contract Awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,207,994 ($25.2M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-11-18

End Date: 2027-02-18

Contract Duration: 1,553 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: COGNITIVE ELECTRONIC WARFARE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR IN-FLIGHT, IN-FIELD, AND IN-SQUADRON APPLICATIONS (KING KONG)

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $25.2 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: COGNITIVE ELECTRONIC WARFARE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR IN-FLIGHT, IN-FIELD, AND IN-SQUADRON APPLICATIONS (KING KONG) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced R&D for electronic warfare capabilities. 2. Booz Allen Hamilton, a large defense contractor, secured this award. 3. The contract duration extends over four years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust bidding process. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, common for R&D projects. 6. Virginia is the performance location, a hub for defense contracting.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $25.2 million for cognitive electronic warfare software development over approximately four years appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized R&D. However, without specific benchmarks for similar cognitive EW software development contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure allows for flexibility in R&D but can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Benchmarking against other DoD R&D contracts in similar technological domains would provide a clearer picture of pricing efficiency.

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. Six bids were received, suggesting a healthy level of interest and competition for this specialized R&D requirement. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures the government explores a range of technical solutions and pricing structures.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple contractors to offer their best pricing and technical approaches, potentially leading to a more cost-effective outcome for the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Air Force and potentially other branches of the DoD, gaining advanced cognitive electronic warfare capabilities. The services delivered include research and development of software for in-flight, in-field, and in-squadron applications. The geographic impact is centered in Virginia, a key area for defense contracting and technological development. Workforce implications include specialized software developers, engineers, and subject matter experts in electronic warfare and AI/ML.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

CPFF contracts can incentivize contractors to increase costs to maximize profit, requiring stringent oversight.
The specialized nature of cognitive electronic warfare may limit the pool of truly competitive bidders in the long term.
Potential for scope creep in R&D projects, leading to budget overruns if not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition provides a strong baseline for evaluating proposals and pricing.
The extended duration suggests a sustained commitment to developing critical EW capabilities.
Booz Allen Hamilton has a significant track record in defense contracting and R&D.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced software for electronic warfare. The market for defense-related R&D, particularly in areas like AI, cyber, and EW, is substantial and highly competitive, driven by evolving geopolitical threats. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within DoD's R&D budgets for advanced technologies and systems integration.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside. Booz Allen Hamilton, as a large prime contractor, may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized components or services. However, the primary award does not directly benefit small businesses through a set-aside mechanism.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures will be tied to performance milestones and adherence to the fixed fee. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements, though specific details of R&D progress may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

DoD Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding
Advanced Electronic Warfare Systems
Cognitive Warfare Technologies
Artificial Intelligence in Defense Applications
Software Development Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Scope Creep Risk (R&D)
Technological Obsolescence Risk
Integration Complexity Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $25.2 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. COGNITIVE ELECTRONIC WARFARE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR IN-FLIGHT, IN-FIELD, AND IN-SQUADRON APPLICATIONS (KING KONG)

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 $25.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-11-18. End: 2027-02-18.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with similar cognitive electronic warfare or advanced software development contracts for the DoD?

Booz Allen Hamilton has a extensive history of supporting the Department of Defense across a wide range of services, including advanced research and development, systems engineering, and IT modernization. They have been involved in numerous contracts related to electronic warfare, cyber operations, and intelligence analysis. While specific details on 'cognitive' EW software development contracts are often sensitive, their broad expertise in AI/ML, data analytics, and complex system integration positions them well for such work. Their track record includes successful delivery on large-scale, complex R&D programs, often involving significant technological innovation and requiring close collaboration with military end-users. Past performance reviews and contract awards data from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) would provide more granular insights into their specific successes and challenges in this domain.

How does the $25.2 million contract value compare to other DoD R&D contracts for electronic warfare software?

Comparing the $25.2 million contract value requires context regarding the scope, duration, and technological maturity of the 'cognitive electronic warfare software development.' DoD R&D contracts can range from tens of millions to billions of dollars, depending on whether they are for basic research, applied research, advanced technology development, or prototyping. For a four-year applied research and development effort focused on specialized software, $25.2 million is a moderate investment. Larger programs might involve hardware integration, extensive testing, or development of entire EW suites. Smaller, more focused research efforts could be valued in the single-digit millions. Therefore, this contract appears to be a significant but not exceptionally large R&D award within the broader DoD spending landscape for EW capabilities.

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

The primary risks associated with a CPFF contract for R&D, like this cognitive electronic warfare software development, stem from the cost-reimbursement nature. While it allows flexibility for evolving R&D requirements, it can incentivize contractors to incur higher costs, as the government reimburses allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. This can lead to budget overruns if cost controls are not rigorously maintained. There's also a risk of scope creep, where the project's objectives expand beyond the initial agreement, further increasing costs. For the government, effective oversight is crucial to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable, and that the fixed fee remains appropriate for the effort. The contractor bears the risk of the fixed fee being insufficient if costs escalate unexpectedly, but the government bears the primary risk of cost escalation itself.

What does the 'cognitive' aspect of the electronic warfare software imply for its development and application?

The 'cognitive' aspect implies that the electronic warfare software is designed to learn, adapt, and make decisions autonomously or semi-autonomously in dynamic and complex electromagnetic environments. Unlike traditional EW systems that rely on pre-programmed responses, cognitive EW systems leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms. This allows them to rapidly identify, analyze, and respond to novel or evolving threats, optimize spectrum usage, and potentially anticipate adversary actions. Development involves significant challenges in data acquisition, algorithm training, validation, and ensuring the system's decision-making processes are reliable and safe, especially in high-stakes military applications. The application aims to provide warfighters with a more agile, intelligent, and effective means of controlling the electromagnetic spectrum.

How does this contract fit into the broader landscape of DoD investments in electronic warfare modernization?

This contract aligns with the Department of Defense's strategic emphasis on modernizing its electronic warfare capabilities to maintain information dominance and counter peer adversaries. Recent defense strategies highlight the critical role of EW in contested environments, focusing on agility, adaptability, and integration with other domains like cyber and space. Investments in cognitive EW are seen as crucial for developing next-generation systems that can operate effectively against sophisticated, adaptive threats. This $25.2 million contract represents a specific investment in the software foundation for such advanced capabilities, likely feeding into larger platform integration efforts or broader EW system development programs. It reflects a trend towards incorporating AI/ML to enhance the speed and effectiveness of EW operations.

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 › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: FA865022S1054

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation

Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DR, MC LEAN, 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: $28,938,450

Exercised Options: $28,938,450

Current Obligation: $25,207,994

Actual Outlays: $2,850

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 15

Total Subaward Amount: $919,388

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline