DHS awards $16.5M for IT Professional Services to Booz Allen Hamilton, highlighting custom programming needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,459,794 ($16.5M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2007-11-01

End Date: 2013-06-27

Contract Duration: 2,065 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $16.5 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: IT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $16.5M for custom computer programming services. 2. Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. secured this contract, indicating strong capabilities in the IT sector. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. 4. This spending falls within the IT professional services sector, a critical area for government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $16.5M appears reasonable for custom computer programming services over its duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT service contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Awarded through full and open competition, this method likely fostered competitive pricing and ensured the government received the best value. The use of Time and Materials pricing, however, warrants careful monitoring to control costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure cost-effective IT solutions for critical government functions like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Public Impact

Impacts U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' ability to process applications and manage citizen data. Supports the development and maintenance of essential government IT infrastructure. Ensures continued operation of critical government functions through specialized programming expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
Contract duration of over 5 years requires ongoing performance monitoring.
Lack of specific small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Awarded via full and open competition, maximizing potential for competitive pricing.
Secured by a reputable contractor with demonstrated IT service capabilities.
Addresses a clear need for custom computer programming services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under IT Professional Services, specifically custom computer programming. Spending in this sector is crucial for modernizing government operations and enhancing service delivery, with benchmarks varying widely based on complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting opportunities were pursued or if the scope inherently favored larger firms.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's duration and value suggest a need for robust oversight from the Department of Homeland Security to ensure performance, cost control, and adherence to contract terms. Regular performance reviews are essential.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Lack of explicit small business participation.
Complexity of custom programming can lead to scope creep if not managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $16.5 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. IT PROFESSIONAL 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 (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-11-01. End: 2013-06-27.

What was the specific nature of the custom computer programming services required by USCIS, and how did they align with the agency's mission objectives?

The custom computer programming services were likely aimed at developing, enhancing, or maintaining software systems critical for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' operations. This could include systems for application processing, case management, data analysis, or public-facing portals, directly supporting the agency's mission to manage immigration and citizenship services efficiently and securely.

Given the Time and Materials pricing structure, what mechanisms were in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensure fair pricing?

Effective mitigation of Time and Materials (T&M) cost overruns typically involves establishing clear labor categories with pre-defined rates, setting not-to-exceed (NTE) limits for specific tasks or the overall contract, and implementing rigorous monitoring and reporting requirements. Regular audits and performance reviews by the contracting officer's representative (COR) are crucial to validate hours worked and ensure alignment with project milestones.

How effectively did the full and open competition process ensure value for money compared to other potential contract award methods for these IT services?

Full and open competition generally maximizes the potential for value for money by exposing the requirement to the broadest possible market, thereby fostering robust price competition. For complex IT services like custom programming, this method allows the government to solicit detailed technical proposals alongside pricing, enabling a comprehensive best-value determination beyond just the lowest cost, ensuring technical suitability and contractor capability are key factors.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

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

Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DRIVE, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,662,838

Exercised Options: $17,662,838

Current Obligation: $16,459,794

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC06D00031

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline