GSA awards $69.3M IT support contract to Booz Allen Hamilton for JIEDDO's counter-IED operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $69,328,605 ($69.3M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2011-09-29

End Date: 2016-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE JOINT IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE (IED) DEFEAT ORGANIZATION (JIEDDO) COUNTER-IED OPERATIONS/INTELLIGENCE INTEGRATION CENTER (COIC) NET-CENTRIC INNOVATION DIVISION (NID).

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $69.3 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE JOINT IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE (IED) DEFEAT ORGANIZATION (JIEDDO) COUNTER-IED OPERATIONS/INTELLIGENCE INTEGRATION CENTER (COIC) NET-CENTRIC INNOVATION DIVISION (NID). Key points: 1. Contract provides critical IT support for counter-IED intelligence integration. 2. Booz Allen Hamilton, a large established contractor, secured this award. 3. The contract duration of 1827 days suggests a significant, long-term need. 4. Custom Computer Programming Services (NAICS 541511) indicates specialized IT development. 5. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 6. This contract supports a vital national security mission focused on defeating IEDs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $69.3 million over approximately five years for specialized IT support services appears reasonable given the critical nature of the mission. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services contracts for defense-related intelligence integration would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure incentivizes performance but requires careful monitoring of costs and award fee determination to ensure fair pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to compete. The presence of four bidders (no) suggests a competitive environment, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria would further illuminate the effectiveness of this competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a market where contractors strive to offer competitive pricing and innovative solutions to win awards, potentially leading to cost savings and higher quality services.

Public Impact

The Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) and its Counter-IED Operations/Intelligence Integration Center (COIC) are the primary beneficiaries, receiving essential IT support. Services delivered include information technology support crucial for intelligence integration and counter-IED operations. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting military and intelligence operations globally, with a focus on personnel in Virginia (st). Workforce implications include the employment of IT professionals by Booz Allen Hamilton to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
The long duration of the contract may reduce flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing IT needs.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical IT support could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Award under full and open competition suggests a competitive process that likely yielded a fair price.
Booz Allen Hamilton is a well-established contractor with significant experience in government IT services.
The contract supports a high-priority national security mission, indicating strong government commitment to the service.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically custom computer programming services. The market for such services supporting defense and intelligence agencies is substantial, driven by the need for advanced technological solutions to complex security challenges. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large IT support contracts awarded to system integrators and IT service providers by agencies like the Department of Defense and intelligence community.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb=false). Booz Allen Hamilton is a large business, suggesting that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The absence of a small business set-aside means the primary award went to a large entity, potentially limiting direct opportunities for smaller, specialized IT firms unless they are brought in as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO). As a Delivery Order under a larger GSA schedule, the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) would have oversight. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure necessitates robust performance monitoring and financial oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and award fees are justified. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements and potential audits by the agency or the Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

JIEDDO Counter-IED Operations/Intelligence Integration Center (COIC)
General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service
Custom Computer Programming Services
Information Technology Support Services
Defense Intelligence IT Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns under CPAF structure.
Long contract duration may limit adaptability to evolving IT needs.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $69.3 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE JOINT IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE (IED) DEFEAT ORGANIZATION (JIEDDO) COUNTER-IED OPERATIONS/INTELLIGENCE INTEGRATION CENTER (COIC) NET-CENTRIC INNOVATION DIVISION (NID).

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 $69.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-29. End: 2016-09-29.

What is the historical spending trend for IT support services by JIEDDO or similar organizations?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for JIEDDO and comparable defense intelligence organizations on IT support services is crucial for understanding the context of this $69.3 million award. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. However, the ongoing nature of counter-IED efforts suggests a sustained requirement for robust IT infrastructure and support. Trends in defense IT spending often show a shift towards cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics, which may influence the type of IT support services procured. Understanding past contract values, durations, and the number of bidders for similar services can help benchmark the current award's value and competitive landscape.

How does Booz Allen Hamilton's performance on similar government IT contracts compare to this award?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a large, established government contractor with a significant portfolio of IT support contracts across various federal agencies. To assess their performance relevant to this JIEDDO contract, one would typically review past performance evaluations, contract award histories, and any reported issues or successes on similar engagements. Key metrics would include on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of services, and customer satisfaction ratings. Given their extensive experience, it's probable they have a track record of successfully delivering complex IT solutions. However, a detailed analysis would require access to specific performance data and feedback from previous contracts, particularly those involving intelligence integration and defense-related IT services.

What are the specific risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract for IT support?

Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts, like the one awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton, present unique risks. The primary risk for the government is that the contractor may incur higher costs than anticipated, as the government agrees to reimburse allowable costs plus a fee. The 'award' portion of the fee is contingent on meeting or exceeding performance objectives, which introduces subjectivity and potential for disputes if not clearly defined and measured. For taxpayers, the risk lies in potential cost overruns if performance metrics are not rigorously monitored or if the contractor inflates costs to maximize the base fee. Effective oversight, clear performance standards, and robust auditing are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money.

What is the strategic importance of the COIC's Net-Centric Innovation Division (NID) and its IT needs?

The Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) was established to counter the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), a significant challenge in modern warfare. The Counter-IED Operations/Intelligence Integration Center (COIC) serves as a hub for consolidating and analyzing intelligence related to IEDs. The Net-Centric Innovation Division (NID) within COIC likely focuses on developing and implementing advanced, networked IT solutions to enhance intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and innovation in counter-IED strategies. The IT support services procured under this contract are therefore critical for enabling the NID to effectively leverage technology, process vast amounts of data, and develop cutting-edge tools and systems to combat the evolving IED threat.

How does the $69.3 million value compare to the total budget or spending of JIEDDO?

To assess how the $69.3 million IT support contract value compares to JIEDDO's overall budget or spending, one would need access to JIEDDO's historical and current appropriations data. JIEDDO, as a significant program within the Department of Defense, has historically received substantial funding to address the IED threat. This IT contract represents a considerable investment, likely covering a substantial portion of the organization's technology infrastructure and support needs for the specified period. Without comparative budget figures, it's challenging to determine if this contract represents a large or small fraction of JIEDDO's total financial resources. However, given the critical nature of IT in modern intelligence and operations, such a value is not unexpected for a dedicated support function.

Industry Classification

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

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

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, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $91,562,246

Exercised Options: $91,562,246

Current Obligation: $69,328,605

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00T11AJC0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline