DHS awards $21M for Scientific, Engineering, and Technical Assistance to National Communications System

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,059,515 ($21.1M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2007-06-29

End Date: 2008-07-31

Contract Duration: 398 days

Daily Burn Rate: $52.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SCIENTIFIC, ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE U. S. DEPT. OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $21.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: SCIENTIFIC, ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE U. S. DEPT. OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM. Key points: 1. Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. secured a $21M contract for critical technical assistance. 2. The contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating some level of market engagement. 3. The primary risk lies in the Time and Materials pricing structure, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. 4. This falls under Engineering Services, a sector vital for national infrastructure and security.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $21,059,514.58 for engineering services appears reasonable given the scope of technical assistance required by the National Communications System. Benchmarking against similar complex technical support contracts is difficult without more granular data on specific deliverables.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Awarded as a competitive delivery order, suggesting multiple vendors were considered. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing, however, can limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs if not closely monitored for efficiency and necessity of hours.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for essential technical support to a critical national system. The T&M pricing structure presents a risk of inefficient spending if not rigorously managed.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational effectiveness of the National Communications System, vital for government continuity. Supports critical infrastructure related to national security and emergency response. The contract's duration and value indicate a significant commitment to specialized technical expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure
Potential for scope creep without strict oversight

Positive Signals

Competitive award process
Award to established contractor with relevant expertise

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), which is crucial for supporting complex government operations like the National Communications System. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on project complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was managed by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations. Oversight would focus on ensuring adherence to the Time and Materials contract terms and the effective delivery of scientific and engineering assistance.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Office of Procurement Operations Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing
Potential for cost overruns
Limited visibility into specific technical deliverables
Contract duration and value

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $21.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. SCIENTIFIC, ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE U. S. DEPT. OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-06-29. End: 2008-07-31.

What specific technical challenges or upgrades was the National Communications System facing that necessitated this level of scientific and engineering assistance?

The National Communications System (NCS) is responsible for ensuring the continuity and interoperability of critical voice and data communications for the U.S. government, especially during national emergencies. This assistance likely addressed complex technical challenges related to network modernization, cybersecurity enhancements, or ensuring resilience against evolving threats to communication infrastructure.

How effectively was the Time and Materials pricing structure managed to control costs and ensure value for the taxpayer?

Effective management of T&M contracts requires rigorous oversight of labor hours, rates, and direct costs. Agencies must implement strong controls to prevent scope creep and ensure that all billed hours are necessary and directly related to contract objectives. Without detailed performance reports, it's difficult to definitively assess cost control effectiveness.

What was the impact of this contract on the overall operational readiness and effectiveness of the National Communications System?

This contract directly supported the operational readiness of the NCS by providing essential scientific, engineering, and technical expertise. The assistance likely contributed to maintaining, upgrading, and securing vital communication systems, thereby enhancing the government's ability to communicate effectively during critical events and ensuring national security.

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: 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, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,630,327

Exercised Options: $21,059,515

Current Obligation: $21,059,515

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F0025K

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline