NTIA's Broadband Program Awarded $73.4M for Administrative and Technical Support Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $73,369,734 ($73.4M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2009-08-03

End Date: 2012-03-31

Contract Duration: 971 days

Daily Burn Rate: $75.6K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: RECOVERY ACT - TAS: 139/100554 - CONTRACTOR PROVIDED SERVICES FOR SUPPORT OF AN END-TO-END SOLUTION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND EXECUTION OF THE BROADBAND TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM (BTOP) FOR THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION (NTIA). THE CONTRACTUAL ACTION (TASK ORDER AWARD) WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM AREAS: PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION, APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS, COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH, GRANTS ADMINISTRATION AND POST-AWARD, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT. THIS IS A RECOVERY ACT REQUIREMENT NAICS - 541611 TAS: 139/100554

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $73.4 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: RECOVERY ACT - TAS: 139/100554 - CONTRACTOR PROVIDED SERVICES FOR SUPPORT OF AN END-TO-END SOLUTION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND EXECUTION OF THE BROADBAND TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM (BTOP) FOR THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION (NTIA). THE CONTRA… Key points: 1. Contract provides comprehensive support for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). 2. Services include program administration, application review, communications, grants management, and technical assistance. 3. Awarded under the Recovery Act, highlighting efforts to stimulate economic activity and infrastructure development. 4. Contractor has a significant track record in providing management consulting services to the federal government. 5. The contract duration of over two years suggests a substantial and ongoing need for these services. 6. Focus on administrative and management consulting services indicates a need for specialized expertise in program execution.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $73.4 million for administrative and technical support over approximately 3 years appears reasonable given the scope of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. While direct comparisons are difficult without specific task-level data, the cost aligns with the complexity of managing a large-scale federal grant program. Benchmarking against similar large-scale program management contracts would provide further insight into value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 6 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. Competitive bidding generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more cost-effective solution compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

Federal agencies and grant recipients benefit from efficient program administration and technical assistance for broadband deployment. Services delivered support the implementation and execution of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The program's geographic impact is nationwide, aiming to expand broadband access and adoption across the U.S. Workforce implications include the direct employment of consultants and indirect support for jobs created by broadband infrastructure projects.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in complex program management requiring vigilant oversight.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical administrative functions necessitates robust performance monitoring.
The 'Time and Materials' contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Awarded under the Recovery Act, indicating alignment with national economic stimulus goals.
Competitive award process suggests a fair market approach and potential for value.
Contractor's established presence in management consulting implies experience with similar large-scale federal programs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector (NAICS 541611). This sector is crucial for supporting the effective execution of large government programs, particularly those involving grants and complex technical requirements like broadband deployment. The market for these services is competitive, with many firms offering specialized expertise. The size of this award is significant, reflecting the substantial investment in the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While the primary contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, is a large business, there may be subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the scope of this delivery order. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) through its contracting officers and program managers. The 'Delivery Order' nature suggests it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, which would have its own oversight framework. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific performance metrics are not detailed here.

Related Government Programs

Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP)
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Programs
Recovery Act Initiatives
Federal Grant Management Programs
Telecommunications Infrastructure Development

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Complexity of managing a large-scale national program requires strong oversight.
Dependence on contractor performance for successful program execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $73.4 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. RECOVERY ACT - TAS: 139/100554 - CONTRACTOR PROVIDED SERVICES FOR SUPPORT OF AN END-TO-END SOLUTION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND EXECUTION OF THE BROADBAND TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM (BTOP) FOR THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION (NTIA). THE CONTRACTUAL ACTION (TASK ORDER AWARD) WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM AREAS: PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION, APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS, COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH, GRANTS ADMINISTRATION AND POST-AWARD, TECHNICAL ASSIS

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 $73.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-08-03. End: 2012-03-31.

What is the track record of Booz Allen Hamilton in managing large-scale federal IT and telecommunications programs?

Booz Allen Hamilton has a long-standing and extensive track record of providing management and technology consulting services to numerous U.S. federal agencies. They have been involved in a wide array of large-scale government initiatives, including those related to IT modernization, cybersecurity, intelligence, and infrastructure development. Their experience often encompasses program management, strategic planning, systems engineering, and policy analysis. For telecommunications and broadband-related programs, their expertise likely includes navigating regulatory landscapes, managing complex grant processes, and providing technical assistance to recipients. Their substantial presence in the federal contracting space suggests a capacity to handle contracts of the magnitude and complexity seen with the NTIA's BTOP program.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar program management support for federal initiatives?

Directly comparing the $73.4 million cost without granular data on specific services rendered and the duration of each task is challenging. However, for a program as extensive as the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), which involved significant grant distribution and oversight, this level of funding for administrative and technical support is not unusual. Large federal programs often require substantial resources for management, compliance, and technical assistance. Benchmarking against other large federal grant administration or IT program support contracts, particularly those awarded under the Recovery Act, would provide a more precise comparison. The competitive award process suggests that the pricing was deemed fair relative to the proposed services at the time of award.

What are the primary risks associated with a 'Time and Materials' contract for program management services?

The primary risk with a 'Time and Materials' (T&M) contract, like the one used for this delivery order, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred. If the scope of work is not clearly defined, or if project management is weak, contractors may spend more time or resources than initially anticipated, leading to higher overall costs for the government. To mitigate this risk, robust oversight, detailed tracking of hours and expenses, and clear performance expectations are crucial. The government must actively manage the contractor's effort to ensure efficiency and prevent unnecessary expenditures.

How effective was the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) in achieving its stated goals, and what role did this contract play?

The effectiveness of the BTOP program itself is a subject of ongoing analysis and debate. Generally, the program aimed to expand broadband access and adoption, stimulate demand for broadband, and encourage the use of broadband for economic, social, and civic activities. This contract played a critical role by providing the essential administrative, technical, and management support necessary for the NTIA to effectively implement and execute the BTOP. Without this support, the program's ability to process applications, award grants, provide technical assistance to recipients, and manage the overall initiative would have been severely hampered. The success of the program is therefore intrinsically linked to the effective performance of the services provided under this contract.

What has been the historical spending trend for administrative and management consulting services by the NTIA or similar agencies?

Historical spending on administrative and management consulting services by agencies like the NTIA can fluctuate significantly based on program priorities, legislative mandates (such as the Recovery Act), and the complexity of initiatives undertaken. Agencies often rely on these services for specialized expertise in program management, strategic planning, IT implementation, and policy development, especially for large, time-sensitive programs. Spending in this category tends to increase when agencies are tasked with launching new, large-scale initiatives or managing complex grant programs. The significant award for BTOP reflects a period of heightened activity and investment in broadband infrastructure, likely driving up spending on related support services during that timeframe.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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: 6

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: $73,369,734

Exercised Options: $73,369,734

Current Obligation: $73,369,734

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F9755H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline