GSA awards $49M engineering services contract to Booz Allen Hamilton, with 3 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $49,148,215 ($49.1M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2015-08-15

End Date: 2017-06-28

Contract Duration: 683 days

Daily Burn Rate: $72.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DIRECTORATE OF CIVIL ENGINEERS SUPPORT FOR POLICY GUIDANCE LIMITED OVERSIGHT AND CAREER FIELD MANAGEMENT IGF::CL,CT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20330

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $49.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: DIRECTORATE OF CIVIL ENGINEERS SUPPORT FOR POLICY GUIDANCE LIMITED OVERSIGHT AND CAREER FIELD MANAGEMENT IGF::CL,CT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract value of $49.15 million over its period of performance. 2. Services procured under engineering services NAICS code 541330. 3. Awarded via full and open competition, indicating broad market engagement. 4. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty. 5. Performance period spans approximately 683 days. 6. Contract awarded to a single vendor, Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. 7. Geographic location of performance is Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $49.15 million for engineering services over approximately 683 days appears reasonable given the scope of support typically provided by large consulting firms. Benchmarking against similar contracts for policy guidance and career field management is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the required services and associated costs, which can lead to better value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of three bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While three bidders indicate some level of market interest, a higher number of bidders could potentially drive prices lower and offer a wider range of innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective pricing and a broader selection of qualified contractors.

Public Impact

Benefits the Directorate of Civil Engineers by providing essential policy guidance and career field management support. Ensures continuity and effectiveness in the management of civil engineer career fields within the federal government. Services are performed in Washington D.C., impacting federal agency operations in the capital. Supports the professional development and operational readiness of the civil engineer workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on work is heavily reliant on this specific contractor's expertise.
Limited visibility into the specific performance metrics and quality of services delivered without further detail.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a fair and transparent process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost predictability and limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
Booz Allen Hamilton is a well-established contractor with a significant presence in government services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), which encompasses firms providing specialized engineering consulting and design services. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, particularly for infrastructure, defense, and policy development. The market for engineering services is competitive, with a mix of large prime contractors and smaller specialized firms. This contract's focus on policy guidance and career field management suggests a niche within the broader engineering services landscape, likely supporting strategic planning and human capital management functions.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award is likely minimal, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses in their overall operations.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Directorate of Civil Engineers. The General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service, as the contracting agency, would have established procurement policies and procedures. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Defense Engineering Services
Federal Policy Development Support
Government Workforce Management
Engineering Consulting Services
GSA Federal Acquisition Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Limited detail on specific performance metrics
Moderate competition level (3 bidders)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $49.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. DIRECTORATE OF CIVIL ENGINEERS SUPPORT FOR POLICY GUIDANCE LIMITED OVERSIGHT AND CAREER FIELD MANAGEMENT IGF::CL,CT::IGF

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 $49.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-08-15. End: 2017-06-28.

What is the specific nature of the policy guidance and career field management services provided under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific tasks or deliverables for policy guidance and career field management. However, based on the contractor (Booz Allen Hamilton) and the Directorate of Civil Engineers, these services likely involve developing and refining policies related to civil engineering operations, career progression, training requirements, and professional development for military and civilian engineers. This could include strategic planning documents, best practice guides, curriculum development for training programs, and analysis of workforce needs and trends to ensure the effective management and readiness of the civil engineer corps.

How does the $49.15 million contract value compare to similar engineering services contracts awarded by GSA or other agencies for policy support?

Without specific details on the scope and duration of comparable contracts, a direct comparison of the $49.15 million value is difficult. However, for large-scale policy development and career management support, this figure is within a reasonable range for contracts awarded to major consulting firms over a period of approximately two years. GSA often awards large indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts for professional services, and individual task orders can reach tens of millions of dollars. The number of bidders (3) suggests a competitive but not overly saturated market for this specific type of specialized support.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to assess the success of Booz Allen Hamilton's performance on this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for policy guidance and career field management, KPIs would focus on the timeliness and quality of deliverables, the effectiveness of implemented policies, stakeholder satisfaction (e.g., feedback from engineers and leadership), and the successful management of career development programs. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring performance against these metrics, which are usually outlined in the contract's statement of work (SOW) or performance work statement (PWS).

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with the General Services Administration and the Department of Defense for similar services?

Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. is a major government contractor with extensive experience serving various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and agencies utilizing GSA contracts. They have a well-documented history of providing a wide range of services, including management consulting, IT solutions, and engineering support. Their past performance with GSA and DoD likely includes numerous contracts related to strategic planning, policy development, and workforce management, making them a qualified incumbent for this type of requirement. A deeper dive into FPDS or agency-specific contract databases would reveal specific contract vehicles and performance history.

What is the potential risk associated with relying on a single contractor for critical policy guidance and career field management?

The primary risk associated with relying on a single contractor for critical functions like policy guidance and career field management is potential vendor lock-in and a reduction in competitive pressure for future work. If the contractor develops unique institutional knowledge or proprietary systems, transitioning to a new vendor could be costly and disruptive. Furthermore, a lack of ongoing competition might lead to complacency or less aggressive pricing in subsequent contract renewals. Mitigating these risks often involves robust knowledge transfer requirements, clear performance standards, and proactive market research for future needs.

How does this contract align with broader federal initiatives related to engineering workforce development and modernization?

This contract directly supports federal initiatives aimed at developing and modernizing the engineering workforce. By providing policy guidance and career field management, it helps ensure that the civil engineer corps is equipped with the skills, training, and career pathways necessary to meet evolving federal infrastructure, defense, and operational needs. This includes adapting to new technologies, environmental regulations, and security challenges. The contract's focus on career management contributes to retaining skilled engineers and fostering a high-performing workforce essential for executing the government's mission effectively.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: ID04150035

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

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

Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DR, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $55,505,279

Exercised Options: $49,148,215

Current Obligation: $49,148,215

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $182,336

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F0025K

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline