VA awards $61.8M for IT Workforce Development support to Booz Allen Hamilton

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $61,761,170 ($61.8M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2015-04-06

End Date: 2020-04-05

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ::IGF::CL::IGF:: THIS ACTION IS FOR FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (ITWD) BUSINESS OFFICE SUPPORT INCLUSIVE OF THE FOLLOWING: PROGRAM REVIEW AND EVALUATION, DEVELOPMENT OF MILESTONES, RESOURCE ALLOCATION, CONTINUAL MONITORING OF MILESTONE PROGRESS, QUALITY ASSURANCE, AND TECHNICAL REVIEW. VA ALSO REQUIRES CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING COMPETENCY MODELS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW COMPETENCY MODELS. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL ALSO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COURSEWARE, AND FACILITATE THE PRESENTATION OF THESE MATERIALS TO THE VA WORKFORCE.

Place of Performance

Location: RED BANK, MONMOUTH County, NEW JERSEY, 07701

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $61.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: ::IGF::CL::IGF:: THIS ACTION IS FOR FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (ITWD) BUSINESS OFFICE SUPPORT INCLUSIVE OF THE FOLLOWING: PROGRAM REVIEW AND EVALUATION, DEVELOPMENT OF MILESTONES, RESOURCE ALLOCATION, CONTINUAL MONIT… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on IT workforce development, including competency models and courseware. 2. Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. Spending spans five years, from April 2015 to April 2020. 5. The NAICS code 541512 indicates Computer Systems Design Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $61.8 million over five years for IT workforce development support appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar IT training and development contracts would provide a clearer picture of its competitiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential IT workforce development services.

Public Impact

Enhances IT skills within the VA workforce, potentially improving service delivery to veterans. Supports the creation and maintenance of critical competency models for IT professionals. Involves development and delivery of courseware, directly impacting employee training. The five-year duration allows for sustained development and adaptation of training programs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if contractor's competency models become proprietary.
Risk of scope creep in long-term IT development contracts.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical workforce development.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Focus on essential IT workforce development.
Long-term contract allows for strategic planning.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on workforce development and training. Spending benchmarks for IT training and development can vary widely based on the complexity of the technology and the size of the workforce being trained.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). The primary awardee, Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., is a large corporation, suggesting limited direct opportunity for small businesses on this specific contract, though they may be involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through full and open competition. Oversight would typically involve contract officers and program managers ensuring milestones are met and deliverables align with requirements.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Sole awardee may limit long-term competitive pressure.
Contract duration could lead to outdated training if not continuously adapted.
Potential for reliance on contractor's proprietary methodologies.
Lack of explicit performance metrics for courseware effectiveness.
No small business participation noted on the prime contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $61.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. ::IGF::CL::IGF:: THIS ACTION IS FOR FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (ITWD) BUSINESS OFFICE SUPPORT INCLUSIVE OF THE FOLLOWING: PROGRAM REVIEW AND EVALUATION, DEVELOPMENT OF MILESTONES, RESOURCE ALLOCATION, CONTINUAL MONITORING OF MILESTONE PROGRESS, QUALITY ASSURANCE, AND TECHNICAL REVIEW. VA ALSO REQUIRES CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING COMPETENCY MODELS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW COMPETENCY MODELS. THE CONTRACTOR SHA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $61.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-04-06. End: 2020-04-05.

What is the specific impact of the developed competency models on VA IT employee performance and retention?

The impact of the competency models on VA IT employee performance and retention is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. A thorough analysis would require examining performance metrics, promotion rates, and employee feedback post-implementation of these models. Understanding how the models translate into tangible improvements in skills and career progression is crucial for assessing the true value of this contract beyond just development.

How does the cost of this IT workforce development contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar services, considering the five-year duration?

Without specific industry benchmark data for IT workforce development contracts of this scope and duration, a direct cost comparison is difficult. However, the $61.8 million over five years ($12.36 million annually) for comprehensive IT training, competency modeling, and courseware development suggests a significant investment. Further research into comparable government and commercial contracts would be needed to determine if this pricing is competitive or represents a premium.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the courseware developed by the contractor for the VA workforce?

The contract mentions 'Quality Assurance' and 'Technical Review' as part of the contractor's responsibilities, implying oversight mechanisms exist. However, the specifics of these QA processes, including validation methods, user feedback integration, and performance-based metrics for courseware effectiveness, are not detailed. Ensuring the courseware directly addresses skill gaps and improves IT operational efficiency is key to its effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design 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: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $100,339,437

Exercised Options: $61,761,170

Current Obligation: $61,761,170

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: VA11811D1008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline