Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $24.1M for US Cyber Command R&D, highlighting specialized cyber support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,099,528 ($24.1M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-12-22

End Date: 2026-12-21

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TASK ORDER AWARD IN SUPPORT OF RS3-22-0025, UNITED STATES CYBER COMMAND, J0 - SPECIAL STAFF, J1 - PERSONNEL AND MANPOWER, AND J9 - ACQUISITION & TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATES.

Place of Performance

Location: FORT GEORGE G MEADE, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 20755

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: TASK ORDER AWARD IN SUPPORT OF RS3-22-0025, UNITED STATES CYBER COMMAND, J0 - SPECIAL STAFF, J1 - PERSONNEL AND MANPOWER, AND J9 - ACQUISITION & TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATES. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical R&D for US Cyber Command's personnel, manpower, and acquisition directorates. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these specialized services. 3. Performance period of three years indicates a medium-term commitment to ongoing cyber support. 4. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) allows for flexibility in research but requires careful cost oversight. 5. This award falls within the broader R&D sector, specifically supporting national security objectives. 6. The contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, is a well-established player in government contracting, particularly in defense and cyber. 7. The task order is part of a larger IDIQ contract (RS3-22-0025), indicating a framework for ongoing support needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $24.1 million over three years for specialized R&D support to US Cyber Command appears reasonable given the contractor's expertise and the critical nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for cyber operations is challenging due to the unique requirements, but the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) is common for research-intensive efforts. The fixed fee component provides some cost control, but the overall value will depend on the efficiency of the research and development activities undertaken.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for cyber R&D services. This competitive environment is generally expected to drive better pricing and innovation for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for specialized cyber research and development services, potentially leading to more cost-effective solutions for national security.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the United States Cyber Command directorates (J0, J1, J9), receiving advanced research and development support. Services delivered include research and development crucial for enhancing cyber capabilities, personnel management, and acquisition strategies. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting federal cybersecurity initiatives, with potential spillover effects on defense contractor locations. Workforce implications include the employment of highly skilled researchers, analysts, and technical personnel by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
The complexity of cyber R&D makes performance measurement and oversight critical.
Reliance on a single large contractor for specialized cyber R&D could pose long-term strategic risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a contractor with a proven track record in defense and cyber services.
The task order is part of a larger IDIQ contract, suggesting established processes and oversight.
Full and open competition indicates a competitive market, potentially driving efficiency and innovation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on IT and defense-related cyber capabilities. The market for cybersecurity R&D is substantial and growing, driven by increasing global cyber threats. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to pinpoint precisely due to the specialized nature of cyber command support, but overall government spending on R&D, particularly in defense, is in the hundreds of billions annually.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The award to a large prime contractor like Booz Allen Hamilton suggests that the primary focus is on leveraging established capabilities. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain or as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Army contracting officers and the relevant program managers within US Cyber Command. As a task order under an IDIQ contract (RS3-22-0025), there are likely established reporting and oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, but specific details of the R&D activities may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

RS3 (Rapid Solutions), IDIQ
Cybersecurity R&D Programs
Department of Defense Research and Development
US Cyber Command Support Contracts
Information Technology Services

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Performance Measurement Complexity
Cybersecurity Threat Evolution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.1 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. TASK ORDER AWARD IN SUPPORT OF RS3-22-0025, UNITED STATES CYBER COMMAND, J0 - SPECIAL STAFF, J1 - PERSONNEL AND MANPOWER, AND J9 - ACQUISITION & TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-12-22. End: 2026-12-21.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with US Cyber Command and similar entities?

Booz Allen Hamilton has a significant and long-standing track record of providing a wide range of services to the Department of Defense and intelligence agencies, including extensive support for cyber operations and command structures. They are a major contractor for US Cyber Command, often involved in strategic planning, cyber defense, intelligence analysis, and technology development. Their experience spans numerous complex R&D and operational support contracts, making them a frequent choice for high-stakes cyber initiatives. This specific award builds upon that established relationship and demonstrated capability within the cyber domain.

How does the $24.1 million value compare to similar R&D contracts for cyber command support?

Direct comparisons for specialized R&D support to specific cyber commands are challenging due to the unique nature and classification of many cyber operations. However, $24.1 million over three years for a task order under a large IDIQ like RS3 is within a typical range for significant R&D efforts supporting major defense commands. Larger, multi-year R&D programs can easily reach hundreds of millions or billions. This award represents a substantial, but not exceptionally large, investment in targeted cyber R&D, reflecting the ongoing need for advanced capabilities in this critical area.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D?

The primary risks with a CPFF contract for R&D involve cost control and scope creep. While the fixed fee provides a defined profit margin for the contractor, the cost-reimbursement aspect means the government bears the risk of actual costs incurred. If research activities are less efficient than anticipated, or if the scope of work expands (scope creep), costs can escalate beyond initial projections. Robust oversight, clear performance metrics, and diligent management of the research process are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives value for its investment.

How effective is the RS3 IDIQ vehicle in facilitating specialized cyber R&D?

The RS3 (Rapid Solutions) IDIQ vehicle is designed to provide the Army and other agencies with a broad range of technology and warfare capabilities, including R&D, systems engineering, and IT support. Its structure allows for quick issuance of task orders for specific needs, which is beneficial for rapidly evolving fields like cybersecurity. The vehicle's success in facilitating specialized cyber R&D depends on the quality of competition at the task order level and the government's ability to define clear requirements. For US Cyber Command, RS3 offers a streamlined pathway to access specialized expertise and technological solutions needed to maintain a cyber advantage.

What is the historical spending trend for similar cyber R&D support at US Cyber Command?

Historical spending trends for cyber R&D support at US Cyber Command have shown a consistent increase over the past decade, reflecting the growing importance of cyber capabilities in national defense. While specific figures for R&D task orders are often aggregated within broader cyber support or IT services categories, the overall budget allocated to cyber defense and operations by the DoD has grown substantially. This $24.1 million award is indicative of continued investment in advanced cyber technologies and research, aligning with the upward trend in cyber-related expenditures.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation

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: $59,953,864

Exercised Options: $32,446,743

Current Obligation: $24,099,528

Actual Outlays: $3,157,934

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 12

Total Subaward Amount: $20,193,944

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W15P7T17D0142

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline