DHS awards $18.6M non-competitive engineering services contract to Booz Allen Hamilton for NCS
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,619,888 ($18.6M)
Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2008-07-31
End Date: 2010-06-15
Contract Duration: 684 days
Daily Burn Rate: $27.2K/day
Competition Type: NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (NCS) NATIONAL SECURITY/EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SCIENTIFIC, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (NS/SETA) SERVICES.
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $18.6 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (NCS) NATIONAL SECURITY/EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SCIENTIFIC, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (NS/SETA) SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, large business vendor. 2. Services are for National Security/Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) scientific, engineering, and technical assistance. 3. Significant portion of the award value is for labor hours. 4. No small business participation indicated.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's value of $18.6M for engineering services is substantial. Without a competitive bidding process, it's difficult to assess if this price represents fair market value compared to similar NS/EP technical assistance contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded as a non-competitive delivery order, indicating a sole-source procurement. This method limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers as competition is absent.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award raises concerns about potential overspending and the efficient use of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Ensures continuity of critical national security and emergency preparedness communications. Supports advanced scientific and engineering expertise for sensitive government operations. Potential for increased costs due to non-competitive award.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Non-competitive award
- No small business participation
- High contract value
Positive Signals
- Supports critical national security functions
- Utilizes established vendor for specialized services
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting National Security/Emergency Preparedness. Benchmarks for similar specialized technical assistance contracts are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of NS/EP requirements.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates no small business participation. This suggests that the prime contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, is handling all aspects of the work, potentially missing opportunities to leverage small business expertise and innovation.
Oversight & Accountability
The non-competitive nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the services provided are essential and the pricing is reasonable. Accountability for the expenditure of public funds is crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Office of Procurement Operations Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to inflated costs.
- No small business participation limits broader economic impact.
- Sole-source awards can reduce transparency.
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized services.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-homeland-security, va, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $18.6 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (NCS) NATIONAL SECURITY/EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SCIENTIFIC, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (NS/SETA) 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 Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $18.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-07-31. End: 2010-06-15.
What specific technical capabilities does Booz Allen Hamilton provide under this contract that justify a sole-source award?
The contract is for National Security/Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) Scientific, Engineering, and Technical Assistance (SETA) services. This likely involves highly specialized expertise in areas critical to maintaining and enhancing secure communication systems for national security and emergency response, which may be unique to the incumbent contractor's capabilities or past performance.
What steps were taken to ensure the $18.6M price was fair and reasonable without a competitive process?
As a sole-source award, the agency likely relied on mechanisms like cost analysis, price analysis based on historical data, or certified cost and pricing data from the contractor to determine fairness and reasonableness. However, without competition, the assurance of the best possible price is inherently reduced.
How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness of the National Communications System (NCS)?
This contract provides essential scientific, engineering, and technical support to the NCS, which is vital for national security and emergency preparedness. The services likely ensure the reliability, security, and modernization of critical communication infrastructure, directly impacting the government's ability to communicate during crises.
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: NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
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
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,619,888
Exercised Options: $18,619,888
Current Obligation: $18,619,888
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS23F0025K
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-07-31
Current End Date: 2010-06-15
Potential End Date: 2015-08-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-08-12
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