Booz Allen Hamilton contract for Marine Corps communications support valued at over $45 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,022,146 ($45.0M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2006-05-24

End Date: 2009-08-23

Contract Duration: 1,187 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.9K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT FOR THE MARINE CORPS

Place of Performance

Location: MC LEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $45.0 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT FOR THE MARINE CORPS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for administrative and management consulting services. 2. Significant duration of over 3 years indicates a substantial need for ongoing support. 3. Awarded as a delivery order, suggesting it was part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to management consulting services. 5. The contract was awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA), a common contracting vehicle. 6. The base contract value is substantial, requiring careful monitoring of performance and costs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of over $45 million for a period of approximately three years for communications support is substantial. Benchmarking this against similar management consulting contracts for defense agencies is difficult without more specific service details. However, the duration and value suggest a significant engagement. The pricing structure, based on labor hours, can be efficient if managed well but also carries risks of cost overruns if not closely monitored.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The provided data does not specify the competition level for this delivery order. Delivery orders under IDIQ contracts can vary widely in their competitive nature, from full and open competition to limited sources or even sole-source if justified. Without knowing the specific IDIQ vehicle and the competition strategy for this order, it's impossible to assess the level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The level of competition directly impacts taxpayer value. Higher competition generally leads to better pricing and more innovative solutions, while limited competition may result in higher costs.

Public Impact

The Marine Corps benefits from enhanced communications support, crucial for operational effectiveness. Services likely include strategic planning, technical advice, and management of communication systems. The geographic impact is primarily within the Marine Corps' operational areas, potentially global. Workforce implications may involve Booz Allen Hamilton personnel working closely with military and civilian staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in consulting contracts if not tightly managed.
Labor hour contracts can lead to increased costs if efficiency is not maintained.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical communications support could pose a risk if performance degrades.

Positive Signals

Booz Allen Hamilton is a well-established contractor with extensive experience in government consulting.
The contract's duration suggests a successful and ongoing need for the services provided.
Awarded through GSA, which often implies adherence to established procurement standards.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. The federal government is a major consumer of these services, particularly for defense and administrative support. Spending in this category often supports strategic initiatives, policy development, and operational efficiency across various agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within broader IT and professional services categories for defense clients.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Large, established firms like Booz Allen Hamilton typically dominate contracts of this size and scope. There is no direct information on subcontracting plans, but for contracts of this nature, there is often an expectation or requirement for some level of small business participation, though it's not explicitly stated here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Marine Corps and GSA. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Defense Communications Services
Management and Consulting Services
Marine Corps Support Contracts
General Services Administration Contracts
Professional Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns in labor-hour contracts.
Risk of scope creep in consulting engagements.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $45.0 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT FOR THE MARINE CORPS

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 $45.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-05-24. End: 2009-08-23.

What was the specific nature of the communications support provided under this contract?

The contract, identified by NAICS code 541611, falls under 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.' While the description is 'COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT FOR THE MARINE CORPS,' the specific services likely encompassed a range of activities beyond mere technical support. This could include strategic planning for communication infrastructure, policy development related to communication protocols, management of communication systems modernization efforts, advice on cybersecurity for communication networks, and potentially organizational change management related to communication functions. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), which is not provided here but would define deliverables, performance standards, and specific tasks.

How does the $45 million value compare to similar contracts for communications support within the Department of Defense?

Comparing the $45 million value requires context regarding the contract's duration (1187 days, approx. 3.25 years) and the specific services rendered. For a multi-year, comprehensive communications support contract involving strategic management and consulting for a major branch like the Marine Corps, $45 million is a significant but not necessarily outlier figure. Defense agencies frequently award large contracts for complex support services. However, without detailed comparisons of scope, duration, and specific deliverables for other DoD communications support contracts, a precise benchmark is challenging. Contracts for pure IT infrastructure or hardware procurement might have different cost structures. This contract appears to focus more on the 'management and consulting' aspect of communications.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected from Booz Allen Hamilton for this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this contract. Typically, for management and consulting services contracts, KPIs would focus on aspects like the quality of strategic advice provided, successful implementation of recommended changes, adherence to project timelines, effectiveness of communication strategies developed, and client satisfaction. Deliverables could include strategic plans, policy recommendations, feasibility studies, training materials, or reports on communication system performance. These would be explicitly defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and monitored by the government's Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

What is the track record of Booz Allen Hamilton in providing similar services to the Marine Corps or other DoD entities?

Booz Allen Hamilton has a long and extensive track record of providing a wide array of services, including management consulting, IT support, and strategic planning, to the Department of Defense (DoD) and its various branches, including the Marine Corps. They are a major incumbent contractor across numerous defense programs. Their history includes significant work in areas such as C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), cybersecurity, systems engineering, and organizational transformation. While specific performance details for every contract are not publicly available, their continued success in winning and performing large-scale government contracts suggests a generally positive track record and established expertise in serving defense clients.

Were there any identified risks or challenges associated with this contract during its performance period?

Without access to contract performance reports or post-award reviews, specific risks encountered during this contract's performance are not detailed. However, common risks for large, multi-year consulting contracts include scope creep (where the project expands beyond its original objectives), potential cost overruns if labor hours are not managed efficiently, challenges in integrating consultant recommendations with existing military structures and culture, and ensuring the continuity and quality of personnel provided by the contractor. Given the nature of communications support, risks related to evolving technology, cybersecurity threats, and the need for rapid adaptation could also have been present.

How did the General Services Administration (GSA) facilitate this contract award?

The General Services Administration (GSA) likely facilitated this contract award through one of its established Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicles. GSA manages numerous IDIQ contracts that agencies like the Marine Corps can use to procure services. This specific award was a 'delivery order' against such a vehicle. GSA's role involves setting up the master IDIQ contract, defining its terms and conditions, and potentially providing oversight. Agencies then issue task orders or delivery orders against these pre-competed GSA schedules or IDIQs. This approach streamlines procurement for agencies by leveraging GSA's contracting expertise and pre-vetted vendors, often leading to faster acquisition times and potentially better pricing due to bulk purchasing power.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Contractor Details

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

Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DRIVE, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $45,160,156

Exercised Options: $45,160,156

Current Obligation: $45,022,146

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F9755H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline