DoD's $29M C&A Support Contract Awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton for Engineering Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,036,879 ($29.0M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-09-19

End Date: 2012-09-27

Contract Duration: 1,835 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION (C&A) SUPPORT FOR ODAA

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $29.0 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION (C&A) SUPPORT FOR ODAA Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in specialized engineering services. 2. Booz Allen Hamilton, a large incumbent, secured this contract, suggesting established expertise. 3. The contract duration of over 1800 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The 'Engineering Services' NAICS code points to a focus on technical and design-related support. 5. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a robust bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $29 million over five years suggests a substantial but potentially reasonable investment for specialized engineering support. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering service contracts within the Department of Defense would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, which can be effective for complex projects where costs are difficult to estimate upfront, but requires careful oversight to manage expenditures.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of five bidders suggests a competitive landscape for this type of engineering service. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive award process as it is designed to ensure the government receives the best value by encouraging multiple companies to offer their services at competitive prices.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense agencies requiring Certification and Accreditation (C&A) support. Services delivered likely include technical assessments, security evaluations, and documentation for system accreditation. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within DoD facilities or contractor sites supporting DoD operations. Workforce implications include the employment of engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and project managers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPFF contracts if not managed diligently.
Reliance on a single large contractor may limit future competition or innovation.
Scope creep could increase the overall cost beyond initial projections without adequate controls.

Positive Signals

Award to an established firm like Booz Allen Hamilton suggests a high likelihood of successful delivery.
Full and open competition indicates a thorough vetting of multiple potential solutions.
The long contract duration allows for continuity of critical C&A support services.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader professional services market supporting government and defense initiatives. This sector is characterized by high technical expertise and often involves complex project management. The market size for engineering services supporting the federal government is substantial, with significant spending allocated to defense-related technical support.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless subcontracting opportunities arise organically.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), which is responsible for ensuring contractor performance and compliance. The CPFF contract type necessitates rigorous financial oversight to monitor costs and ensure the fixed fee is justified. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting mechanisms and performance reviews.

Related Government Programs

Defense Information Technology Contracting
Cybersecurity Services Contracts
Engineering and Technical Services
Federal IT Support Contracts
Department of Defense IT Procurement

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF Contract Type)
Contractor Performance Monitoring
Scope Creep Potential

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $29.0 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION (C&A) SUPPORT FOR ODAA

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 $29.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-19. End: 2012-09-27.

What is the historical spending trend for Certification and Accreditation (C&A) support within the Department of Defense?

Analyzing historical spending on C&A support within the DoD requires access to detailed federal procurement databases. However, general trends indicate a consistent and often increasing demand for such services due to the evolving threat landscape and the continuous need to accredit complex IT systems. Factors like the expansion of cloud computing, the adoption of new technologies, and stringent cybersecurity mandates contribute to sustained or growing investment in C&A. Specific figures would depend on the fiscal years examined and the precise categorization of C&A-related procurements, which can sometimes be bundled with broader IT or engineering services.

How does the awarded amount of $29 million compare to other C&A support contracts awarded by the DoD?

The $29 million award for C&A support over approximately five years places this contract in the mid-to-large range for specialized service contracts. Larger, more comprehensive C&A programs or those involving extensive system-wide accreditation could command significantly higher values, potentially reaching hundreds of millions of dollars over their lifecycle. Conversely, smaller, task-order-specific C&A efforts might be in the low millions. This particular contract's value suggests a substantial, long-term engagement for a specific set of responsibilities within the DoD, likely involving significant systems or a critical mission area.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) typically used to evaluate C&A support contracts?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for C&A support contracts often focus on timeliness, accuracy, and compliance. Examples include the percentage of systems accredited by deadline, the number of security vulnerabilities identified and remediated, adherence to established security frameworks (e.g., NIST RMF), the completeness and accuracy of documentation submitted, and the efficiency of the accreditation process. For a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, KPIs might also include adherence to budget projections and effective resource management. Successful performance is crucial for ensuring systems meet security requirements and are authorized to operate.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with similar DoD contracts?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a well-established government contractor with a extensive history of supporting the Department of Defense across a wide array of services, including IT, cybersecurity, engineering, and management consulting. They have consistently secured large-value contracts with the DoD, demonstrating a strong track record in delivering complex solutions. Their experience likely includes numerous C&A support engagements, providing them with deep institutional knowledge of DoD requirements and processes. While specific performance metrics for past C&A contracts are not detailed here, their continued success in winning significant DoD awards suggests a generally positive performance history.

What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for C&A support?

The primary risk with a CPFF contract is the potential for cost overruns, as the government agrees to reimburse the contractor for allowable costs plus a fixed fee. If the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates, the government bears that burden. This necessitates robust oversight from the government to ensure costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. Another risk is the contractor's incentive to control costs, as their profit is fixed regardless of the final cost. Effective management and clear definition of work are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the contract remains within budget expectations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N0002407R3409

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (UEI: 964725688)

Address: BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $164,294,272

Exercised Options: $61,467,681

Current Obligation: $29,036,879

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017804D4024

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline