Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $22.7M contract for National Language Service Corps Support Services by the Department of Defense

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,671,718 ($22.7M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-03-15

End Date: 2026-03-14

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICE CORPS SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22350

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $22.7 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: NATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICE CORPS SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in specialized language support capabilities. 2. The award to a single, large incumbent contractor suggests a focus on established expertise. 3. Performance period of three years indicates a need for sustained, long-term support. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs and define scope clearly. 5. This contract aligns with broader defense initiatives requiring multilingual operational support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $22.7 million over three years for language support services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work and the contractor's established presence. Benchmarking against similar language services contracts is challenging without more granular data on specific service requirements. However, Booz Allen Hamilton is a large, experienced contractor in this space, suggesting potential for efficient service delivery. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. The presence of a single award suggests that Booz Allen Hamilton was selected as the most advantageous offer based on technical merit, past performance, and price. The competitive process should have facilitated price discovery and ensured the government received a fair market price for the services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and higher quality services, ensuring government funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The National Language Service Corps (NLSC) benefits from enhanced support, enabling more effective communication in diverse linguistic environments. Services delivered likely include translation, interpretation, and language training to support military and civilian personnel. The geographic impact is potentially broad, supporting operations and personnel across various global theaters. Workforce implications include the potential for direct and indirect employment opportunities within the language services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for contractor lock-in due to specialized knowledge and long-term relationship.
Reliance on a single large contractor may limit opportunities for smaller, specialized firms.
Scope creep could increase costs if not managed tightly under the fixed-price structure.

Positive Signals

Award to an established contractor with a proven track record in defense support.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and encourages contractor efficiency.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

The National Language Service Corps operates within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on language and translation services. This market is characterized by a mix of large, established firms like Booz Allen Hamilton and numerous smaller, specialized providers. The demand for such services is driven by global engagement, intelligence gathering, and international operations across various government agencies, particularly within the Department of Defense. Spending in this niche can fluctuate based on geopolitical events and operational requirements.

Small Business Impact

While this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside, the prime contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, may utilize small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. The extent of small business participation will depend on the specific service requirements and the prime contractor's subcontracting plan. Analysis of subcontracting reports would be necessary to determine the actual impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA) program office. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center
Intelligence Community Language Support Contracts
Department of State Language Services
Federal Bureau of Investigation Language Services

Risk Flags

Potential for contractor lock-in
Reliance on incumbent contractor
Quality assurance challenges in specialized services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $22.7 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. NATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICE CORPS SUPPORT SERVICES

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 $22.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-15. End: 2026-03-14.

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

Booz Allen Hamilton has a long-standing history of providing a wide range of professional and technical services to the Department of Defense, including significant work in intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, and management consulting. Their experience in language support is likely integrated within broader program support contracts. While specific details on past language-centric contracts may vary, their extensive portfolio suggests a deep understanding of defense requirements and operational environments. The company's size and market position indicate they are a frequent recipient of large federal contracts, necessitating robust performance management systems. Past performance evaluations on similar contracts would be a key factor in their selection for this award, suggesting a positive or at least acceptable track record in delivering complex services to the DoD.

How does the value of this contract compare to other federal spending on language services?

The $22.7 million contract value for the National Language Service Corps Support Services is a substantial award within the specialized domain of federal language services. However, when compared to the overall federal spending on language-related activities, which includes intelligence analysis, translation, interpretation, and foreign language training across multiple agencies (like the DoD, Intelligence Community, State Department, and FBI), this contract represents a segment of a much larger market. For instance, broader intelligence support contracts can run into hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. This specific contract's value is significant for the NLSC's direct support needs but should be viewed within the context of the government's total investment in linguistic capabilities, which is considerably higher when all related programs and agencies are aggregated.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep, challenges in recruiting and retaining highly qualified linguists, and ensuring consistent quality across diverse language requirements. Scope creep is mitigated by the firm-fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to adhere strictly to the defined SOW. Recruitment and retention risks are managed through the contractor's established HR processes and potentially through competitive compensation packages, which are implicitly factored into the fixed price. Quality assurance is typically addressed through government oversight, performance metrics, and defined deliverables within the contract. The contractor's experience and established processes are primary mitigants against operational risks.

What is the expected effectiveness of the services provided under this contract for the National Language Service Corps?

The expected effectiveness hinges on the contractor's ability to provide timely, accurate, and culturally appropriate language support. This includes facilitating communication for military personnel in multinational operations, supporting intelligence analysis, and potentially aiding in diplomatic engagements. The effectiveness will be measured by the successful completion of tasks outlined in the Statement of Work, adherence to deadlines, and the quality of linguistic output. Given the award to an experienced contractor like Booz Allen Hamilton under full and open competition, the expectation is that the NLSC will receive reliable and high-quality support, enhancing its operational capabilities and mission effectiveness in linguistically diverse environments.

How has federal spending on language support services evolved over the past five years?

Federal spending on language support services has generally seen a steady increase over the past five years, driven by heightened global security concerns, increased international engagement, and the growing recognition of the importance of linguistic capabilities in intelligence, defense, and diplomatic missions. While specific figures for the NLSC are not detailed here, broader trends indicate sustained or growing investment across agencies like the DoD and Intelligence Community. This evolution reflects a strategic emphasis on maintaining and enhancing the nation's language proficiency across critical areas. Factors such as geopolitical shifts and the need for rapid information processing in multiple languages contribute to this upward trend in federal outlays for language-related services.

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: 1

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: $38,775,374

Exercised Options: $22,671,718

Current Obligation: $22,671,718

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $132,000

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