Booz Allen Hamilton contract for EASE PROJECT awarded $17.16M by HHS FDA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,166,342 ($17.2M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2005-03-26

End Date: 2010-09-25

Contract Duration: 2,009 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: EASE PROJECT

Place of Performance

Location: GERMANTOWN, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20875

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $17.2 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: EASE PROJECT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for price discovery. 2. The contract duration of over 5 years indicates a significant, long-term need. 3. Awarded as a delivery order, it represents a specific task within a larger framework. 4. The Time and Materials pricing structure warrants scrutiny for cost control. 5. Located in Maryland, the contract has a regional economic impact. 6. The contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, is a large, established firm in the federal contracting space.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $17.16 million over approximately 5.5 years for the EASE PROJECT is difficult to benchmark without specific deliverables. Time and Materials contracts can be prone to cost overruns if not closely managed. Comparing this to similar IT or administrative support contracts within HHS would provide better context on value for money. The lack of detailed performance metrics makes a definitive value assessment challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' indicating it was competed under a broader contract vehicle. The fact that it was competed suggests multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The level of competition for the specific delivery order is not detailed, but the initial award mechanism implies a competitive environment, which generally benefits price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even for a delivery order, generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers compared to sole-source awards. It ensures that multiple companies are vying for the work, driving down costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which receives support for the EASE PROJECT. Services delivered likely involve project management, administrative support, or IT functions critical to FDA operations. The geographic impact is centered in Maryland, where the contract is managed and potentially where work is performed. The contract supports the workforce of Booz Allen Hamilton, a major federal contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to uncontrolled costs if not managed diligently.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to assess the true value and effectiveness of the services provided.
The long duration of the contract could indicate a lack of flexibility or potential for vendor lock-in.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating potential for good value.
The contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, has extensive experience in federal contracting.
The contract supports a critical agency (FDA) and its operational needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology and professional services sector, specifically supporting administrative and potentially IT functions for a government agency. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies like HHS being major spenders. Contracts of this size are common for supporting specific projects or programs within large organizations. Benchmarking would require comparison to similar project support or IT services contracts awarded by federal health agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information about subcontracting plans. Given the contractor is Booz Allen Hamilton, a large business, the focus would typically be on their overall performance and adherence to any subcontracting goals if applicable to the parent contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the FDA. The contract's performance would be monitored against the terms and conditions of the delivery order. Transparency is generally provided through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

HHS IT Support Services
FDA Administrative Support Contracts
Federal Project Management Services
Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data hinders a full assessment of value.
The contract duration is substantial, necessitating ongoing oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $17.2 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. EASE PROJECT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Food and Drug Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-03-26. End: 2010-09-25.

What specific services did the EASE PROJECT entail, and how were they critical to the FDA's mission?

The provided data does not detail the specific services encompassed by the 'EASE PROJECT.' Typically, contracts with names like EASE (Electronic Acquisition System Environment or similar acronyms) within agencies like the FDA relate to improving or managing electronic systems for acquisition, project management, or data handling. These services are critical for ensuring the FDA can efficiently manage its operations, procure necessary resources, and maintain regulatory compliance. Without further documentation, the exact nature and criticality remain inferred based on common agency needs.

How does the $17.16 million award compare to other similar IT support contracts awarded by the FDA or HHS?

Benchmarking the $17.16 million award for the EASE PROJECT requires comparing it to similar Time and Materials (T&M) contracts for IT support or project management services within the FDA or HHS. T&M contracts can vary widely in cost depending on the skill sets required and the duration. A direct comparison would involve looking at contracts with similar scope, duration (over 5 years), and labor categories. Given the contractor is Booz Allen Hamilton, a large firm, the rates might be on the higher end compared to smaller businesses, but potentially justified by expertise. A comprehensive analysis would involve reviewing contract databases for comparable awards to assess if the pricing structure and total value align with market rates for similar services.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and did the contractor meet them?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or performance evaluation details for the EASE PROJECT contract. For Time and Materials contracts, performance is often assessed based on the timely completion of tasks, adherence to project milestones, and the quality of deliverables, though formal KPIs might be less common than in fixed-price contracts. Without access to the contract's statement of work or performance reports, it is impossible to determine if Booz Allen Hamilton met its obligations. Agencies typically track contractor performance through past performance questionnaires and contract close-out reports, which are not available in this dataset.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with the FDA and HHS for similar types of contracts?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a major federal contractor with a significant history of performing work for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its various agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Their track record typically includes a wide range of services, often in IT, cybersecurity, management consulting, and data analytics. For contracts similar to the EASE PROJECT (likely involving project support, IT, or administrative functions), Booz Allen Hamilton generally has a strong performance history, often receiving high ratings in past performance evaluations. However, like any large contractor, specific contract performance can vary, and a detailed review of their past performance on FDA/HHS contracts would be necessary for a complete picture.

How has federal spending on IT support services within the FDA evolved over the period of this contract (2005-2010)?

Federal spending on IT support services within the FDA, and HHS broadly, saw a general increase during the period of 2005-2010. This era was characterized by a growing reliance on digital infrastructure, modernization efforts, and the implementation of electronic health records and data management systems. Agencies like the FDA were increasingly investing in IT to support their regulatory, research, and operational functions. While the specific budget allocation for IT support services can fluctuate based on agency priorities and congressional appropriations, the overall trend was upward as technology became more integral to government operations. This contract's award amount of $17.16M fits within the context of significant IT investments during that period.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

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

Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DR # 700, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,650,196

Exercised Options: $17,166,342

Current Obligation: $17,166,342

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 26301D0072

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline