GSA awards $152.8M task order to Booz Allen Hamilton for USCYBERCOM support services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $152,844,232 ($152.8M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2017-01-13

End Date: 2022-09-29

Contract Duration: 2,085 days

Daily Burn Rate: $73.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF THE SCOPE OF WORK UNDER TASK ORDER 4 (TO4) WILL PROVIDE PLANS AND POLICY, TRAINING AND COMMAND ADMINISTRATIVE AND STAFF SUPPORT SERVICES TO USCYBERCOM. ALL TASKS WITHIN TO4 ARE WITHIN SCOPE OF THE CORE DISCIPLINES IDENTIFIED IN THE USCYBERCOM SUPPORT IDIQ AND SPECIFICALLY ALIGN WITH USCYBERCOM J0/1/5 MISSION REQUIREMENTS.

Place of Performance

Location: FORT GEORGE G MEADE, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 20755

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $152.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THE SCOPE OF WORK UNDER TASK ORDER 4 (TO4) WILL PROVIDE PLANS AND POLICY, TRAINING AND COMMAND ADMINISTRATIVE AND STAFF SUPPORT SERVICES TO USCYBERCOM. ALL TASKS WITHIN TO4 ARE WITHIN SCOPE OF THE CORE DISCIPLINES IDENTIFIED IN THE USCYBERCOM SUPPORT IDIQ AND SPECIFI… Key points: 1. Contract provides essential plans, policy, training, and administrative support to USCYBERCOM. 2. Services align directly with USCYBERCOM's core mission requirements. 3. Task order falls within the scope of the existing IDIQ contract. 4. Contract duration spans over 2000 days, indicating a long-term need. 5. Cost-plus-fixed-fee pricing structure allows for flexibility but requires careful oversight. 6. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $152.8 million over approximately five years represents a significant investment in cyber command support. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale IT support contracts for defense agencies suggests the pricing is within a reasonable range, though the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates diligent monitoring of indirect costs and labor hours to ensure value for money. The specific services provided are critical to operational readiness, justifying the expenditure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of three bidders suggests a moderately competitive environment for this specific requirement. While full and open competition is generally preferred for maximizing price discovery, the specific number of bidders can influence the final price and terms.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process for this substantial task order is beneficial for taxpayers, as it encourages vendors to offer their best pricing and terms to secure the contract, potentially leading to cost savings.

Public Impact

USCYBERCOM personnel and mission operations are directly supported by these services. Enhances the planning, policy development, and training capabilities of a key military command. Services are delivered within Maryland, impacting the local federal IT support ecosystem. Supports a specialized workforce in cybersecurity and command support functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can incentivize cost overruns if not managed rigorously.
Long contract duration requires ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued effectiveness.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support functions could pose a risk if performance degrades.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Services are aligned with the core mission of a critical national security agency.
Contractor has a significant presence and history supporting federal IT and defense contracts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming and IT support for defense agencies. The market for such specialized cyber command support is highly concentrated among a few large federal contractors with demonstrated expertise and security clearances. Spending in this area is driven by the increasing need for advanced cyber capabilities and operational readiness within the Department of Defense.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and the prime contractor is a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this task order. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Booz Allen Hamilton includes small business subcontractors, which is common for large prime contracts but not guaranteed without specific set-aside requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA) and the U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) contracting officers. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates close monitoring of expenditures, labor hours, and performance metrics. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements, and while no specific IG jurisdiction is mentioned, the Department of Defense Inspector General could potentially have oversight depending on the nature of the services and funding.

Related Government Programs

USCYBERCOM Operations Support
Defense IT Services Contracts
Custom Computer Programming Services
Federal IT Support IDIQs
Command and Control Systems Support

Risk Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
Long contract duration necessitates ongoing performance monitoring.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $152.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. IGF::OT::IGF THE SCOPE OF WORK UNDER TASK ORDER 4 (TO4) WILL PROVIDE PLANS AND POLICY, TRAINING AND COMMAND ADMINISTRATIVE AND STAFF SUPPORT SERVICES TO USCYBERCOM. ALL TASKS WITHIN TO4 ARE WITHIN SCOPE OF THE CORE DISCIPLINES IDENTIFIED IN THE USCYBERCOM SUPPORT IDIQ AND SPECIFICALLY ALIGN WITH USCYBERCOM J0/1/5 MISSION REQUIREMENTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $152.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-01-13. End: 2022-09-29.

What is the historical spending trend for USCYBERCOM support services under similar contracts?

Analyzing historical spending for USCYBERCOM support services reveals a consistent and growing demand for specialized IT and operational support. Prior to this $152.8 million task order, similar contracts, often awarded under broader IT support IDIQs, have seen significant investment. For instance, contracts focusing on cybersecurity operations, intelligence analysis, and command staff support have historically ranged from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars over multi-year periods. The trend indicates a sustained commitment by the government to bolster cyber capabilities, with spending often increasing in response to evolving threat landscapes and technological advancements. This specific task order aligns with that trend, representing a substantial, but not unprecedented, allocation for critical cyber command functions.

How does the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) compare to other contract types for similar IT support services?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure used for this task order is common for complex IT services where the scope may evolve or is difficult to precisely define upfront. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF offers more flexibility for the contractor to adapt to changing requirements, but it shifts some of the financial risk to the government, as the final cost is not capped. Other structures like Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) or Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) introduce performance incentives. While FFP contracts are generally preferred for cost predictability, CPFF is often chosen for R&D or advanced IT services where innovation and adaptation are key, provided robust oversight is in place to manage costs effectively.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?

While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, for a contract of this nature supporting USCYBERCOM, key performance indicators would likely focus on mission enablement and operational effectiveness. These could include metrics related to the timeliness and accuracy of policy development, the effectiveness of training programs as measured by participant feedback or skill improvement, the reliability and availability of administrative and staff support systems, and adherence to project timelines for specific deliverables. Performance would also be assessed against established service level agreements (SLAs) for response times and issue resolution. Regular performance reviews and reporting would be crucial for monitoring these KPIs and ensuring the contractor meets the demanding requirements of a national security cyber command.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with similar large-scale IT support contracts for defense agencies?

Booz Allen Hamilton has a long and extensive track record of providing large-scale IT support, cybersecurity, and strategic consulting services to various defense agencies, including the Department of Defense and its components like USCYBERCOM. They are a major incumbent contractor across numerous critical programs, often holding prime positions on complex, high-value contracts. Their experience typically encompasses a wide range of services, from systems engineering and integration to intelligence analysis and operational support. This history suggests a deep understanding of the defense sector's unique requirements, security protocols, and mission objectives, making them a well-established and experienced provider for contracts like this task order.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'Custom Computer Programming Services' (NAICS 541511) classification for this contract?

The NAICS code 541511, 'Custom Computer Programming Services,' for this contract implies the development or modification of custom software and IT solutions tailored to USCYBERCOM's specific needs. Potential risks include scope creep, where requirements expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns and schedule delays. There's also the risk of technical challenges in developing bespoke solutions, integration issues with existing systems, and ensuring the software meets stringent security and performance standards required by a military cyber command. Ensuring the contractor possesses the necessary technical expertise and project management capabilities to navigate these complexities is crucial for mitigating these risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming 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

Offers Received: 3

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: $183,138,443

Exercised Options: $178,279,753

Current Obligation: $152,844,232

Actual Outlays: $-278,465

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 67

Total Subaward Amount: $12,667,387

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q16AJD0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline