Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $55.4M engineering services contract by GSA for Pakistan program oversight

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $55,359,310 ($55.4M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Engineering Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2016-07-22

End Date: 2019-12-18

Contract Duration: 1,244 days

Daily Burn Rate: $44.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SECURITY OVERSIGHT PAKISTAN

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $55.4 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON ENGINEERING SERVICES, LLC for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SECURITY OVERSIGHT PAKISTAN Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 3. The duration of the contract (1244 days) indicates a significant, long-term engagement. 4. The specific program relates to security oversight in Pakistan, highlighting a specialized geopolitical focus. 5. The awarding agency is the General Services Administration (GSA), a common contracting vehicle. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $55.4 million over approximately 3.5 years for specialized program management and security oversight in Pakistan is difficult to benchmark without more specific service details. Time and Materials contracts inherently carry a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts. However, for complex, evolving requirements, they can offer flexibility. The absence of detailed performance metrics or comparison data makes a definitive value assessment challenging.

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 a bid. This generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings. The fact that there was only one award (no) suggests that Booz Allen Hamilton was the successful bidder among potentially multiple interested parties.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through a wide range of potential providers, fostering price discovery and potentially driving down costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the U.S. government agencies involved in overseeing programs in Pakistan, receiving critical support for security and program management. The services delivered focus on program management and security oversight, crucial for ensuring the effective and secure execution of U.S. initiatives in the region. The geographic impact is concentrated in Pakistan, supporting U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives. Workforce implications include the potential for employment of specialized personnel in program management, security analysis, and international relations, both domestically and potentially in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type increases risk of cost escalation without strict oversight.
Geopolitical context in Pakistan introduces inherent operational and security risks.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes assessing effectiveness challenging.
Limited public information on specific deliverables hinders full transparency.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Booz Allen Hamilton is a well-established contractor with significant experience in government services.
Contract duration indicates a sustained need for these specialized services.
GSA contract vehicle provides a standardized and often efficient procurement pathway.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), which encompasses firms providing specialized engineering consulting and design services. The market for such services, particularly those supporting government programs with international security and oversight components, is substantial. This contract represents a specific application of engineering and program management expertise to a geopolitical challenge, fitting within the broader landscape of defense and foreign affairs contracting.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. As a large contract awarded to a major prime contractor, it is possible that subcontracting opportunities may exist for smaller firms, but this is not explicitly stated in the provided data. The absence of set-aside information suggests the primary focus was on securing the best overall solution through open competition.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the General Services Administration (GSA) or the agency ultimately benefiting from the services. The Time and Materials nature of the contract necessitates close monitoring of labor hours and costs to prevent overruns. Transparency is dependent on GSA's reporting practices and any Inspector General (IG) involvement, which is not specified here.

Related Government Programs

USAID Pakistan Programs
Department of State Security Assistance Programs
DoD Pakistan Oversight Contracts
International Security Cooperation Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (Time and Materials)
Geopolitical Instability
Operational Security Risk
Limited Performance Transparency
Potential for Scope Creep

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $55.4 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON ENGINEERING SERVICES, LLC. IGF::CL::IGF PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SECURITY OVERSIGHT PAKISTAN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON ENGINEERING SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $55.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-07-22. End: 2019-12-18.

What specific security oversight functions are being performed under this contract in Pakistan?

The provided data does not detail the specific security oversight functions. However, based on the contract description 'IGF::CL::IGF PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SECURITY OVERSIGHT PAKISTAN', it likely involves monitoring, assessing, and reporting on the security aspects of U.S.-funded or supported programs and activities within Pakistan. This could range from physical security assessments of facilities and personnel to evaluating the security implications of program activities and advising on risk mitigation strategies. The 'IGF' acronym might refer to an Inspector General Fund or a specific program initiative, suggesting a focus on accountability and compliance within security-related operations.

How does the $55.4 million value compare to similar engineering services contracts for international program oversight?

Benchmarking this $55.4 million contract is challenging without more granular data on the scope of services, duration, and specific deliverables. However, large-scale program management and security oversight contracts for complex geopolitical regions like Pakistan often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. Booz Allen Hamilton, as a large incumbent contractor, typically commands significant contract values due to its expertise and established presence. The value appears substantial but potentially reasonable given the specialized nature and location of the work, assuming it aligns with market rates for similar high-risk, high-complexity engagements.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for services in Pakistan?

The primary risks with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, especially in a location like Pakistan, are cost control and scope creep. T&M contracts pay the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. Without stringent oversight and clear task definitions, costs can escalate beyond initial estimates as more hours are logged or material costs increase. In Pakistan, geopolitical instability, logistical challenges, and potential security incidents could further drive up labor hours and material costs, making robust contract management and risk mitigation crucial for the government.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with similar government contracts, particularly in security and international program management?

Booz Allen Hamilton has an extensive and long-standing track record of performing a wide array of services for the U.S. federal government, including significant work in defense, intelligence, and international affairs. They are a major provider of management consulting, technology, and engineering services. Their experience often includes complex program management, strategic planning, cybersecurity, and security operations support across various global theaters. While specific details of their past performance in Pakistan or on identical security oversight programs are not provided here, their general profile suggests a high level of capability and experience relevant to this contract's requirements.

What historical spending patterns exist for engineering services under GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) for international programs?

Historical spending patterns for engineering services through GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) for international programs are diverse and depend heavily on specific agency needs and geopolitical priorities. GSA FAS acts as a procurement agent, facilitating contracts across various government entities. Spending in this category can fluctuate significantly year-to-year based on global events, U.S. foreign policy shifts, and the scale of deployed programs. Contracts like this one, focused on specialized oversight in regions like Pakistan, represent a segment of broader government spending on international operations, often linked to defense, diplomacy, and development aid initiatives.

How effective are GSA's oversight mechanisms for Time and Materials contracts of this magnitude?

GSA's oversight mechanisms for Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are designed to manage the inherent risks associated with this contract type. These typically include requirements for detailed timesheets, regular progress reports, cost tracking, and defined ceilings. The effectiveness hinges on the diligence of the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and the contracting office in actively monitoring performance, verifying costs, and ensuring that the work performed aligns with the contract's objectives and necessity. For contracts of this magnitude ($55.4M), robust oversight protocols, potentially involving specialized audit teams or program managers, are expected to be in place to ensure value for money and prevent unauthorized expenditures.

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: ID05140011

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation

Address: 308 SENTINEL DR, ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MD, 20701

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $65,603,617

Exercised Options: $62,197,052

Current Obligation: $55,359,310

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F276CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline