Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $22.15M for USCENTCOM/CCJ8 analysis support, highlighting engineering services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,150,453 ($22.2M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2017-09-24

End Date: 2022-09-23

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF RESOURCES AND ANALYSIS SUPPORT FOR THE USCENTCOM/CCJ8

Place of Performance

Location: TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH County, FLORIDA, 33621

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $22.2 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF RESOURCES AND ANALYSIS SUPPORT FOR THE USCENTCOM/CCJ8 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1825 days (5 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. Engineering services are critical for supporting complex military command operations. 4. The award was made by the General Services Administration, a common contracting vehicle. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 6. This award represents a significant investment in analytical and advisory support for USCENTCOM.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables. However, the $22.15 million over five years averages to approximately $4.43 million annually. This figure needs to be compared against the scope and complexity of the analytical and advisory services provided to USCENTCOM's CCJ8. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while flexible, can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed closely, as it reimburses the contractor for direct labor and indirect costs plus a fee. A more fixed-price or performance-based contract might offer better cost predictability.

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. This typically leads to a wider range of proposals and potentially more competitive pricing. The presence of two bids (no) suggests that while competition was allowed, the number of actual bidders was limited. Further analysis would be needed to determine if this level of competition was sufficient to drive optimal pricing and innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with a limited number of bidders, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple firms to offer their best pricing and capabilities, potentially leading to cost savings compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) and its CCJ8 directorate, receiving enhanced analytical and advisory support. Services delivered likely include strategic analysis, resource planning, and operational support for military activities within the USCENTCOM area of responsibility. The geographic impact is focused on supporting USCENTCOM's mission, which spans a vast region including the Middle East. Workforce implications may involve specialized analysts and engineers, potentially augmenting the existing military and civilian staff at USCENTCOM.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Limited number of bidders (2) may indicate potential barriers to entry or a niche market.
The long contract duration could reduce flexibility to adapt to changing requirements or technologies.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a broad search for qualified contractors.
Contracting through GSA Federal Acquisition Service can streamline procurement processes.
Engineering services are essential for complex operational analysis and support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS code 541330), which is a significant part of the federal contracting landscape, particularly for defense and national security agencies. The market for these services is competitive, with many firms offering specialized expertise. The total federal spending on engineering services is substantial, and contracts like this support critical functions for agencies such as USCENTCOM, enabling them to effectively plan and execute missions. Benchmarking requires comparing the scope of work and pricing against similar analytical and advisory support contracts for defense commands.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a specific set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill parts of the contract, depending on their own subcontracting plans and the nature of the services required. The absence of a small business set-aside means the primary competition was open to all eligible firms, regardless of size.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA) as the contracting agency, and the functional oversight would be by the USCENTCOM/CCJ8. The contract's Time and Materials nature necessitates robust monitoring of hours, costs, and deliverables to ensure value for money. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

USCENTCOM Operations Support
Defense Intelligence Analysis
Engineering Consulting Services
Federal Acquisition Service Contracts
Military Command Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
Limited number of bidders may reduce competitive pressure.
Need for strong government oversight to ensure value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $22.2 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. IGF::OT::IGF RESOURCES AND ANALYSIS SUPPORT FOR THE USCENTCOM/CCJ8

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 $22.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-24. End: 2022-09-23.

What is the track record of Booz Allen Hamilton in providing similar analytical and engineering services to defense agencies?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a well-established government contractor with extensive experience in providing a wide range of services, including management consulting, technology, and engineering solutions, particularly to defense and intelligence agencies. They have a long history of supporting organizations like USCENTCOM, often engaging in complex analytical, strategic planning, and operational support roles. Their track record includes numerous large-scale contracts involving intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, and systems engineering. While specific performance metrics for this particular contract are not detailed here, the company's overall profile suggests a capacity to handle demanding requirements. However, like any large contractor, they have faced scrutiny and reviews on past contracts regarding performance and pricing, necessitating diligent oversight by the contracting agency.

How does the $22.15 million contract value compare to similar analytical support contracts for major military commands?

The $22.15 million contract value over five years, averaging approximately $4.43 million annually, is within a reasonable range for analytical and engineering support services provided to a major combatant command like USCENTCOM. Such commands have complex operational, strategic, and intelligence requirements that necessitate significant analytical resources. Comparable contracts for similar services to other combatant commands (e.g., INDOPACOM, EUCOM) or major military branches can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope, duration, and specific technical requirements. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of this contract, however, means the final cost could fluctuate based on actual hours worked and resources consumed, making direct comparisons to fixed-price contracts less precise without detailed scope analysis.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for the government?

The primary risk associated with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts for the government is the potential for cost overruns and a lack of definitive cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual cost of labor (at specified hourly rates) and materials, plus a fee or profit. This structure can incentivize longer task durations or less efficient work if not rigorously monitored. For the government, effective oversight is crucial, requiring meticulous tracking of labor hours, validation of expenses, and ensuring that the work performed is necessary and efficient. Without strong oversight, the total cost can exceed initial estimates, and the government may pay for inefficiencies. This necessitates robust performance management and frequent reviews.

What is the expected effectiveness of these engineering services in enhancing USCENTCOM's operational capabilities?

The effectiveness of these engineering services hinges on their specific application within USCENTCOM/CCJ8. Assuming the services involve advanced data analysis, modeling, simulation, or technical advisory related to operational planning, logistics, or intelligence fusion, they are expected to significantly enhance USCENTCOM's capabilities. Engineering expertise can translate complex data into actionable intelligence, optimize resource allocation, and support the development of effective strategies for the command's area of responsibility. The long-term nature of the contract (5 years) suggests a sustained need for these capabilities, implying that the services are considered vital for ongoing operational effectiveness and strategic decision-making within the command.

How has federal spending on engineering services for defense agencies evolved over the past five years?

Federal spending on engineering services for defense agencies has generally remained robust, reflecting the ongoing need for technical expertise in areas such as weapons systems development, infrastructure, intelligence analysis, and cybersecurity. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on budget appropriations and strategic priorities, the overall trend indicates a consistent demand. Agencies like the Department of Defense (DoD) are major consumers of engineering services, utilizing them across various branches and commands. Factors influencing spending include geopolitical events, modernization efforts, and the increasing complexity of defense technologies. Data from sources like the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) or federal procurement databases would provide precise year-over-year spending trends, but the sector remains a critical and substantial component of defense budgets.

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: ID04170018

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

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: $26,422,905

Exercised Options: $26,422,905

Current Obligation: $22,150,453

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 25

Total Subaward Amount: $5,514,237

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU108

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline