Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $28.7M contract for SAPRO professional services, with 1,844 days duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,683,685 ($28.7M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-05-27

End Date: 2025-06-14

Contract Duration: 1,844 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SUPPORT TO THE DEFENSE HUMAN RESOURCES ACTIVITY'S SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE OFFICE (SAPRO)

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22350

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.7 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SUPPORT TO THE DEFENSE HUMAN RESOURCES ACTIVITY'S SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE OFFICE (SAPRO) Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in sexual assault prevention and response support. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the duration of the contract. 3. A long performance period suggests a need for sustained, ongoing support. 4. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, indicating a focus on larger, established firms. 5. The services provided are critical to the well-being and support systems for military personnel.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $28.7 million over roughly five years appears reasonable for specialized professional services supporting a critical program like SAPRO. Benchmarking against similar contracts for program management and support services within the Department of Defense suggests that this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the contractor can effectively manage their resources to meet the performance requirements within the agreed-upon price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bidders suggests a competitive environment, though the specific details of the bidding process and the number of proposals received would provide a clearer picture of the intensity of the competition. A competitive award process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a market where the best value is sought. This approach helps prevent inflated pricing that might occur in less competitive scenarios.

Public Impact

Service members and their families benefit from enhanced sexual assault prevention and response programs. The contract supports the operational effectiveness of the Defense Human Resources Activity's SAPRO office. Services delivered are crucial for maintaining a safe and supportive environment within the military. The contract has implications for workforce development in specialized support and program management roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for contractor lock-in due to the long duration and specialized nature of the services.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the government.
Contractor (Booz Allen Hamilton) is a well-established entity with significant government contracting experience.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically supporting defense and human resources functions. The market for such services is characterized by a mix of large, established government contractors and specialized niche providers. Spending in this area is driven by the government's need for expertise in program management, policy development, and support services, particularly in sensitive areas like sexual assault prevention. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within broader categories of professional, scientific, and technical services awarded by the Department of Defense.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, Booz Allen Hamilton, is a large business. This suggests that the scope and requirements of the services were likely beyond the typical capacity or specialization of small businesses, or that the competition was structured to attract large, experienced contractors. There is no explicit indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data, though large prime contractors often utilize small business partners for specific tasks.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA) and the specific program office responsible for SAPRO. The contract's firm-fixed-price nature and defined performance period provide a framework for accountability. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program
Defense Human Resources Activity Support Services
Professional Services Contracts
Government Program Management Support

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may limit flexibility.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical services.
Performance quality is paramount given the sensitive nature of the mission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.7 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SUPPORT TO THE DEFENSE HUMAN RESOURCES ACTIVITY'S SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE OFFICE (SAPRO)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Human Resources Activity).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-05-27. End: 2025-06-14.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with similar Department of Defense contracts?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a major government contractor with extensive experience across various defense and civilian agencies. They have a long history of providing professional, technical, and management consulting services to the Department of Defense. Their portfolio includes numerous contracts related to program management, strategic planning, IT support, and human resources. While specific performance metrics for individual contracts are not publicly detailed, their consistent presence and significant award values suggest a generally satisfactory performance history with the DoD. However, like any large contractor, they may have faced scrutiny or performance issues on specific engagements, which would typically be documented in past performance evaluations during recompetes.

How does the value of this contract compare to other SAPRO-related procurements?

Direct comparison of this $28.7 million contract to other SAPRO-related procurements requires access to a comprehensive database of historical contracts specifically tagged for SAPRO. However, given the critical nature of SAPRO's mission and the broad scope of professional services typically required for program management, policy development, training, and victim support, a contract of this magnitude over approximately five years appears to be a substantial investment. It suggests a significant need for sustained external expertise to support the program's objectives. Without specific comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state if it's high or low, but it indicates a significant commitment of resources to the SAPRO mission.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks associated with this contract include performance risk, where the contractor may not deliver services to the required standard, potentially impacting SAPRO's effectiveness. There's also a personnel risk, as the continuity and expertise of the contractor's staff are crucial; turnover could disrupt services. Given the sensitive nature of SAPRO's work, there's a reputational risk for both the contractor and the government if services are perceived as inadequate or mishandled. Finally, a long-term, sole-source-like reliance (even if competed initially) on a single entity for critical support functions can create dependency and limit flexibility for the government.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type in managing costs for this service?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for managing costs when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks of cost overruns are manageable by the contractor. For professional services like those supporting SAPRO, FFP provides the government with cost certainty, as the price is fixed regardless of the contractor's actual costs. This incentivizes the contractor to control their expenses and operate efficiently. However, if the scope of work is not precisely defined or if unforeseen challenges arise, the contractor may be less willing to absorb additional costs, potentially leading to disputes or a reduction in the quality or scope of services delivered if not managed carefully.

What is the historical spending trend for SAPRO support services within the DoD?

Analyzing historical spending trends for SAPRO support services requires access to detailed historical contract data specifically filtered for the SAPRO program and related service categories within the Department of Defense. Without this specific data, it's challenging to provide precise trends. However, it is reasonable to infer that spending in this area has likely remained consistent or potentially increased over time, reflecting a sustained commitment to addressing sexual assault within the military and the evolving needs of prevention and response programs. Factors such as policy changes, increased awareness, and legislative mandates could influence spending levels.

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

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $28,683,685

Exercised Options: $28,683,685

Current Obligation: $28,683,685

Actual Outlays: $436,404

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