DoD's $47.6M AISED contract awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton faces scrutiny over cost and competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $47,581,606 ($47.6M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2015-09-30

End Date: 2020-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF ASSURED INFORMATION SYSTEMS&EXPLOITATION DEVELOPMENT (AISED) (NAICS: 541712)

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $47.6 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF ASSURED INFORMATION SYSTEMS&EXPLOITATION DEVELOPMENT (AISED) (NAICS: 541712) Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $47.6 million, was awarded for computer systems design services. 2. Booz Allen Hamilton, a large business, received the award under full and open competition. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can pose risks for cost control. 4. The sector is Defense, specifically IT services within the Defense Department.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking CPFF contracts for similar IT services is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns, but the $47.6M value over five years suggests a significant investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad solicitation. However, the specific impact on price discovery for this complex IT service requires further analysis of the bidding process and awarded price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for advanced information systems development. The effectiveness of the competition in securing the best value for the government is a key consideration.

Public Impact

Development of advanced information systems for defense purposes. Potential for technological advancements impacting national security. Significant government expenditure on specialized IT services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
  • Large business award
  • No small business participation noted

Positive Signals

  • Full and open competition
  • Awarded to a reputable contractor

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design, for the Department of Defense. Spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need for advanced technological capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals or participation, which could be an area for improvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), suggesting established oversight mechanisms. However, the CPFF structure necessitates vigilant monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent potential overruns.

Related Government Programs

  • Computer Systems Design Services
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
  • Lack of small business participation.
  • Complexity of IT services may limit true price competition.
  • Long contract duration (5 years) increases risk exposure.

Tags

computer-systems-design-services, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $47.6 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. IGF::OT::IGF ASSURED INFORMATION SYSTEMS&EXPLOITATION DEVELOPMENT (AISED) (NAICS: 541712)

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 (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $47.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-09-30. End: 2020-09-30.

What specific deliverables and milestones were established to ensure value for money under this CPFF contract?

The contract likely outlines specific technical performance metrics and delivery schedules for the AISED program. However, without access to the contract details, it's difficult to ascertain the precise milestones. CPFF contracts rely heavily on robust government oversight to track progress and ensure that the fixed fee aligns with the contractor's performance and the overall value delivered to the DoD.

How effectively did the full and open competition process ensure competitive pricing for these specialized IT services?

While 'full and open competition' suggests a broad solicitation, the effectiveness in achieving competitive pricing depends on the number and quality of bids received, as well as the complexity of the services. For specialized IT services like AISED, the market may have limited qualified bidders, potentially impacting the price discovery. A thorough review of the bidding process and awarded price against independent cost estimates would be needed.

What is the long-term strategic value of the AISED program to the Department of Defense?

The AISED program's strategic value lies in its contribution to the Department of Defense's information superiority and exploitation capabilities. By developing advanced information systems, it aims to enhance intelligence gathering, analysis, and operational effectiveness. The success of this program is critical for maintaining a technological edge in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesComputer Systems Design and Related ServicesComputer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTDEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

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: $49,363,836

Exercised Options: $49,363,836

Current Obligation: $47,581,606

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $352,044

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q09BGD0019

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline

Start Date: 2015-09-30

Current End Date: 2020-09-30

Potential End Date: 2020-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2023-07-11

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