HHS awarded Booz Allen Hamilton $32.7M for IT services, with a 2008 contract duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,758,912 ($32.8M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2010-12-21

End Date: 2016-06-20

Contract Duration: 2,008 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: BOOZ ALLEN&HAMILTON - ITB - NITAAC CONTRACT C-2829

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $32.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: BOOZ ALLEN&HAMILTON - ITB - NITAAC CONTRACT C-2829 Key points: 1. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The fixed-price contract type generally shifts risk to the contractor. 3. The contract spans over 5 years, indicating a significant, long-term need for these services. 4. The services provided fall under Computer Systems Design, a common IT support category. 5. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, Booz Allen Hamilton. 6. The contract was issued as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking this contract's value is challenging without knowing the specific services rendered under the delivery order. However, the total award amount of $32.7 million over approximately 5.5 years averages to about $5.9 million annually. This figure needs to be compared against the scope of work and the complexity of the computer systems design services provided. Without more granular data on deliverables and performance metrics, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult. The firm fixed-price nature suggests that cost overruns would be borne by the contractor, which can be a positive indicator if the contractor was able to accurately estimate costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment. A competitive process is expected to drive down prices and encourage innovation as contractors vie for the award. The fact that it was competed suggests that the government sought the best value through a market-driven approach.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a full and open competition as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at a fair market price and reduces the risk of overpayment compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which received the computer systems design services. The services delivered likely supported the IT infrastructure and systems necessary for NIH's research and administrative functions. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contractor Booz Allen Hamilton has a presence, and potentially at NIH facilities. The contract supports the IT workforce within the contractor organization, contributing to employment in the technology sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the services provided.
The duration of the contract (over 5 years) could lead to potential for scope creep or outdated technology if not managed effectively.
Limited information on the specific deliverables makes it hard to gauge the true value and impact of the contract.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive process that should yield fair pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Booz Allen Hamilton is a large, established government contractor with significant experience in IT services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. This is a broad category encompassing the design, development, and implementation of IT systems. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, with spending often concentrated in areas supporting agency operations, data management, cybersecurity, and research. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other IT services contracts awarded by NIH or HHS, as well as broader federal IT spending trends.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have been set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'sb: false'. Booz Allen Hamilton is a large business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract award is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As a delivery order under an IDIQ, oversight would focus on ensuring the specific task orders align with the master contract's terms and conditions, and that performance meets the required standards. Transparency is facilitated by federal contract databases, but detailed performance reports and Inspector General involvement would depend on specific audit triggers or performance issues.

Related Government Programs

IT Services
Computer Systems Design
Department of Health and Human Services Contracts
National Institutes of Health Contracts
IDIQ Contracts
Delivery Orders

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Lack of Performance Metrics
Limited Scope Detail

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $32.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. BOOZ ALLEN&HAMILTON - ITB - NITAAC CONTRACT C-2829

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 (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-12-21. End: 2016-06-20.

What specific computer systems design services were provided under this delivery order?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services) and was awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). However, the specific services rendered under this particular delivery order are not detailed in the provided data. Generally, Computer Systems Design Services can encompass a wide range of activities, including analyzing user needs, designing and developing custom software, integrating hardware and software, and providing IT consulting. Without access to the Statement of Work (SOW) for this delivery order, it's impossible to ascertain the precise nature of the services provided, such as network design, database development, system architecture, or IT infrastructure planning.

How does the $32.7 million award compare to other IT services contracts awarded by NIH during the same period?

To compare the $32.7 million award to other IT services contracts by NIH between 2010 and 2016, one would need to access federal procurement databases (like FPDS-NG or USASpending.gov) and filter for NIH contracts within the relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 541512) and award period. This would reveal the range of contract values for similar services. Given Booz Allen Hamilton's status as a large IT services provider, this award amount is plausible for a multi-year contract supporting significant IT functions. However, a direct comparison would require analyzing the scope, duration, and specific services of other awarded contracts to determine if this represented a particularly high, low, or average value.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with the federal government, particularly with HHS/NIH?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a well-established and significant contractor for the U.S. federal government, with a long history of providing a wide array of services, including IT, management consulting, and engineering. They consistently rank among the top federal contractors. Their track record with HHS and NIH specifically is extensive, involving numerous contracts across various agencies and programs. While this data point represents one specific contract, Booz Allen Hamilton's overall performance history with the government is generally characterized by large contract values and a broad scope of work. A deeper dive into past performance reviews, contract awards, and any reported issues or successes would provide a more nuanced understanding of their specific track record with HHS/NIH.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract?

The provided data does not include information on the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics established for this specific contract. For a contract of this nature (Computer Systems Design Services), typical KPIs might include system uptime, response times, successful project completion rates, adherence to budget and schedule, user satisfaction, and security compliance. The effectiveness of the services is usually measured against these predefined metrics outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and Performance Work Statement (PWS). Without these details, it is not possible to objectively assess the contractor's performance or the overall success of the contract.

How has federal spending on Computer Systems Design Services (NAICS 541512) trended over the period of this contract (2010-2016)?

Federal spending on Computer Systems Design Services (NAICS 541512) generally saw an upward trend during the period of this contract (2010-2016). This era coincided with increasing digitization across government agencies, a growing reliance on IT infrastructure, and significant investments in areas like data analytics, cloud computing adoption, and cybersecurity. Agencies like HHS, NIH, DoD, and others were actively procuring services for system modernization, software development, and IT support. While specific year-over-year figures would require detailed database analysis, the overall federal IT spending landscape during these years was robust, driven by modernization efforts and evolving technological needs.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

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, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $57,066,109

Exercised Options: $32,758,912

Current Obligation: $32,758,912

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 263010072

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline