Interior's $96M Engineering Services Contract Awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $96,263,194 ($96.3M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2002-03-15

End Date: 2012-03-28

Contract Duration: 3,666 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $96.3 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $96.3 million over 10 years. 2. Booz Allen Hamilton, a large established firm, secured the award. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a robust price discovery process. 4. The contract spans a decade, indicating long-term service needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value is substantial, but without specific unit cost data or comparison points, assessing its pricing efficiency is difficult. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed closely.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery, as it allows multiple qualified vendors to bid. This competitive environment should theoretically drive down costs and ensure fair market pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayers likely received a reasonable price for the engineering services rendered over the contract's lifespan.

Public Impact

Long-term engineering support for the Department of the Interior's core functions. Potential impact on various infrastructure and operational projects managed by the agency. The duration of the contract suggests a sustained need for specialized engineering expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can inflate costs if not rigorously monitored.
Long contract duration may not adapt well to evolving technological needs.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes assessing value difficult.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition ensures a broad vendor pool.
Award to a reputable firm like Booz Allen Hamilton suggests capability.
Contract addresses critical engineering service needs for a major agency.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services are crucial for government agencies managing infrastructure and operational projects. A $96 million contract over 10 years for such services is significant, reflecting the scale of the Department of the Interior's needs. Benchmarks for similar long-term engineering contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not primary awardees on this contract, as it was awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton, a large business. There is no explicit indication of small business subcontracting goals or achievements within the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's long duration and Time and Materials structure necessitate robust oversight from the Department of the Interior to ensure cost control and adherence to scope. Regular performance reviews and audits would be critical for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
Departmental Offices Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Risk of vendor lock-in over the 10-year contract duration.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes long-term value assessment challenging.
Limited visibility into small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $96.3 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $96.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2002-03-15. End: 2012-03-28.

What specific engineering services were procured under this contract, and how did their scope align with the Department of the Interior's strategic objectives?

The contract, NAICS code 541330, covers Engineering Services. While the specific services are not detailed, they likely encompass a broad range of technical support for the Department of the Interior's diverse mission, including infrastructure design, environmental engineering, and project management. The long duration suggests alignment with sustained operational and development goals.

Given the Time and Materials pricing, what mechanisms were in place to mitigate cost overruns and ensure efficient resource utilization?

The provided data does not detail specific cost control mechanisms. However, for Time and Materials contracts, effective oversight typically involves detailed tracking of labor hours and rates, strict adherence to pre-approved budgets, and regular performance reviews to ensure that work is necessary and efficiently performed. The agency's contracting officers would be responsible for this.

How did the full and open competition process ensure that the selected vendor, Booz Allen Hamilton, offered the best value proposition compared to other potential bidders?

Full and open competition allows all responsible sources to submit offers, fostering a competitive environment. The evaluation criteria, though not specified here, would have been used to assess factors like technical approach, past performance, and price. Booz Allen Hamilton likely demonstrated superior capabilities or a more competitive pricing structure relative to other bidders to win the award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation

Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DR # 700, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $96,263,194

Exercised Options: $96,263,194

Current Obligation: $96,263,194

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline