Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $24.8M for Defense Sciences Office acquisition support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,788,628 ($24.8M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-11-18

End Date: 2024-11-17

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: DEFENSE SCIENCES OFFICE (DSO) ACQUISITION&ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: DEFENSE SCIENCES OFFICE (DSO) ACQUISITION&ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract provides essential administrative and acquisition support to a critical defense research agency. 2. The contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of services. 3. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized services. 4. Performance is tracked over a multi-year period, allowing for assessment of sustained quality. 5. This contract positions the awardee as a key partner in advanced defense research initiatives. 6. The services are crucial for the efficient operation of the Defense Sciences Office.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $24.8 million over five years for acquisition and administrative support to DARPA's Defense Sciences Office appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized professional services to federal research agencies suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The labor hours pricing model allows for flexibility based on evolving needs, which can be cost-effective if managed efficiently. However, without detailed breakdowns of labor categories and rates, a precise value-for-money assessment is limited.

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 were invited to submit proposals. The presence of two bids suggests a competitive environment, though the exact number of bidders is relatively low for a contract of this nature. This level of competition generally supports fair pricing and encourages contractors to offer their best value. The agency's decision to use full and open competition implies confidence in the market's ability to provide suitable candidates.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and improves service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the researchers and program managers within DARPA's Defense Sciences Office, who receive critical support for their advanced projects. Services delivered include administrative, logistical, and acquisition support, enabling the DSO to focus on its core mission of pioneering scientific breakthroughs. The geographic impact is concentrated within the agency's operational centers, primarily supporting national defense research efforts. Workforce implications include the direct employment of Booz Allen Hamilton staff in specialized support roles, contributing to the professional services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support functions could pose a risk if performance degrades.
The multi-year duration necessitates ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued value.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive selection process.
Booz Allen Hamilton is a well-established contractor with significant experience in government support services.
The contract duration allows for stable support, enabling the DSO to plan long-term.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically supporting government research and development activities. The market for these services is robust, with numerous firms capable of providing acquisition and administrative support to federal agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar support contracts within defense agencies often range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on scope and duration. This contract represents a moderate investment in enabling advanced research.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal. However, Booz Allen Hamilton, as a large prime contractor, may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized needs, though this is not explicitly detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within DARPA. Performance metrics and deliverables would be monitored throughout the contract's duration. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

DARPA Research and Development Contracts
Federal Acquisition Support Services
Professional and Technical Services
Department of Defense Administrative Support

Risk Flags

Contract duration exceeds typical short-term support needs.
Limited number of bidders in a full and open competition.
Potential for contractor lock-in due to specialized knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. DEFENSE SCIENCES OFFICE (DSO) ACQUISITION&ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

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 Advanced Research Projects Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-11-18. End: 2024-11-17.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with similar government support contracts?

Booz Allen Hamilton has an extensive track record of performing similar acquisition and administrative support services for various U.S. federal agencies, including significant work within the Department of Defense and intelligence community. They are a large, established government contractor with deep experience in managing complex contracts, providing strategic consulting, and delivering operational support. Their history includes numerous awards for professional, scientific, and technical services, often involving high-level research and development organizations like DARPA. While specific performance details for every contract are not publicly available, their consistent presence and numerous awards suggest a generally positive performance history and a strong understanding of government procurement processes and requirements.

How does the value of this contract compare to other acquisition support contracts for similar agencies?

The $24.8 million contract value over five years for acquisition and administrative support to DARPA's Defense Sciences Office is within a moderate range for such services. Contracts supporting R&D-focused agencies like DARPA can vary significantly, but this figure is not unusually high or low. For context, larger agencies or those with broader mandates might award multi-year support contracts in the hundreds of millions. Smaller, more specialized offices or shorter-term needs would naturally have lower values. Given the specialized nature of DSO's work and the five-year duration, this contract appears to represent a reasonable investment for securing essential support functions, aligning with typical spending patterns for comparable federal entities.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of support contract?

The primary risks associated with this type of support contract include potential performance issues if the contractor fails to meet service level agreements or deliver quality support consistently. There's also a risk of over-reliance on the contractor, making it difficult to transition services if needed. Scope creep, where the contract's requirements expand beyond the original agreement without adequate adjustment in cost or timeline, is another common risk. Furthermore, personnel turnover within the contractor's team could lead to a loss of institutional knowledge and impact service continuity. Finally, ensuring the contractor maintains appropriate security clearances and adheres to data protection regulations is critical, especially within a defense context.

How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for taxpayer money in this context?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for taxpayer money in federal contracting. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions. In the context of acquisition and administrative support for an agency like DARPA's DSO, this approach encourages multiple firms to vie for the contract, driving down costs and improving the quality of services offered. The presence of competition incentivizes contractors to propose their best value propositions and maintain high performance standards throughout the contract lifecycle to secure future opportunities.

What is the historical spending pattern for acquisition and administrative support at DARPA's DSO?

Historical spending patterns for acquisition and administrative support at DARPA's Defense Sciences Office (DSO) are not detailed in the provided data. However, DARPA, as an agency, consistently invests in support services to facilitate its advanced research and development mission. Spending on such contracts typically fluctuates based on program needs, strategic priorities, and the overall agency budget. Contracts for acquisition and administrative support are essential for the efficient functioning of research offices, ensuring that program managers can focus on scientific and technical challenges. Analyzing past contract awards for similar services within DSO or comparable DARPA offices would provide a clearer picture of historical spending trends and typical contract values.

Are there any specific performance metrics or KPIs tied to this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied to this contract. However, for acquisition and administrative support contracts of this nature, typical KPIs often include timeliness of service delivery, accuracy of administrative tasks, responsiveness to requests, adherence to budget, and overall client satisfaction. DARPA, known for its rigorous oversight, would likely have established specific metrics to evaluate Booz Allen Hamilton's performance. These metrics would be crucial for ensuring the contractor meets the agency's needs effectively and for making informed decisions regarding contract renewals or future procurements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical 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

Solicitation ID: HR001119Q0007

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation

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: $31,491,109

Exercised Options: $31,491,109

Current Obligation: $24,788,628

Actual Outlays: $1,017,052

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 12

Total Subaward Amount: $5,062,588

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HR001118D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline