Army's DCGS-A Systems Contract Awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton for $35.5M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,527,522 ($35.5M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2012-07-03

End Date: 2015-05-27

Contract Duration: 1,058 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DISTRIBUTED COMMON GROUND SYSTEM ARMY (DCGS-A) FAMILY OF SYSTEMS AND DCGS-A POR SYSTEMS FIXED MOBILE BASIC V3 GEOSPATIAL (INCLUDES LEGACY DIGITAL TOPOGRAPHIC SUPPORT SYSTEM (DTSS)) WEATHER SERVICES (INCLUDES INTEGRATED METEOROLOGICAL SYSTEM (IMETS)) SIGINT (INCLUDES TACTICAL EXPLOITATION SYSTEM (TES))ANALYSIS AND CONTROL ELEMENT (ACE) BLK II ALL SOURCE FUSION SUBSYSTEM (AFS) COMMUNICATION SUPPORT ASSEMBLY (CSA) TRUSTED COMPUTER SUITE (TCS) ALL SOURCE ANALYSIS SYSTEM - SINGLE SOURCE (ASAS-SS) IMAGERY WORKSTATION (IWS) COUNTER INTELLIGENCE HUMAN INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS, REPORTING, AND COLLECTION SYSTEM (CHARCS)ENGINEERING FIELD PLANNING, RECONNAISSANCE, SURVEYING, AND WATCHING SET (ENFIRE) SURVEILLANCE INTELLIGENCE PROCESSING CENTER (SIPC)

Place of Performance

Location: FORT HUACHUCA, COCHISE County, ARIZONA, 85613

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $35.5 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: DISTRIBUTED COMMON GROUND SYSTEM ARMY (DCGS-A) FAMILY OF SYSTEMS AND DCGS-A POR SYSTEMS FIXED MOBILE BASIC V3 GEOSPATIAL (INCLUDES LEGACY DIGITAL TOPOGRAPHIC SUPPORT SYSTEM (DTSS)) WEATHER SERVICES (INCLUDES INTEGRATED METEOROLOGICAL SYSTEM (IMETS)) SIGINT (INCLUDES TACTICAL EXPL… Key points: 1. The contract covers a broad range of intelligence systems for the Army, including geospatial, weather, and SIGINT analysis. 2. Booz Allen Hamilton is the sole awardee, raising questions about the extent of competition. 3. The contract's duration and cost-plus-fixed-fee structure warrant scrutiny for potential cost overruns. 4. This spending falls within the Engineering Services sector, supporting critical military intelligence functions.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $35.5M over approximately 3 years appears reasonable for a complex intelligence system. However, without specific benchmarks for similar systems, a definitive assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

While listed as full and open, the award to a single contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, suggests limited actual competition for this specific delivery order. This could impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to procure advanced intelligence systems. The effectiveness of competition and cost controls will determine the ultimate value for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Enhances Army's intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities. Supports critical decision-making in military operations. Potential for technological advancements in intelligence processing. Ensures access to vital geospatial and weather data.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition despite 'full and open' designation.
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type can incentivize cost overruns.
Long contract duration may not reflect evolving technology needs.

Positive Signals

Addresses critical intelligence needs for the Army.
Booz Allen Hamilton is a known entity in defense contracting.
Delivery order structure allows for phased implementation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Engineering Services, specifically supporting the Department of Defense's intelligence infrastructure. Benchmarks for similar large-scale intelligence system procurements are often difficult to obtain due to classification and proprietary data.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no small business participation in this specific contract. Efforts to include small businesses in future procurements or subcontracts could be explored.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Army is the procuring agency. Standard oversight mechanisms for defense contracts should be in place, but specific details on accountability for this award are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition despite solicitation type.
Cost-plus contract type carries inherent risk of cost escalation.
Lack of small business participation.
Complexity of systems may lead to integration challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $35.5 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. DISTRIBUTED COMMON GROUND SYSTEM ARMY (DCGS-A) FAMILY OF SYSTEMS AND DCGS-A POR SYSTEMS FIXED MOBILE BASIC V3 GEOSPATIAL (INCLUDES LEGACY DIGITAL TOPOGRAPHIC SUPPORT SYSTEM (DTSS)) WEATHER SERVICES (INCLUDES INTEGRATED METEOROLOGICAL SYSTEM (IMETS)) SIGINT (INCLUDES TACTICAL EXPLOITATION SYSTEM (TES))ANALYSIS AND CONTROL ELEMENT (ACE) BLK II ALL SOURCE FUSION SUBSYSTEM (AFS) COMMUNICATION SUPPORT ASSEMBLY (CSA) TRUSTED COMPUTER SUITE (TCS) ALL SOURCE ANALYSIS SYSTEM - SINGLE SOURCE (ASAS-SS) IMA

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 $35.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-07-03. End: 2015-05-27.

What specific technical capabilities does the DCGS-A Family of Systems provide, and how do they align with current and future Army intelligence requirements?

The DCGS-A Family of Systems encompasses a wide array of intelligence capabilities, including geospatial analysis, weather services, SIGINT processing, and all-source fusion. These systems are designed to provide commanders with actionable intelligence by integrating data from various sources. Their alignment with future requirements depends on the system's modularity and adaptability to emerging threats and technologies.

Given the 'full and open' competition designation, why was Booz Allen Hamilton the sole awardee, and what was the rationale for not pursuing multiple bids?

The 'full and open' designation typically means the solicitation was broadly advertised. However, for complex systems like DCGS-A, there may be specific technical requirements or existing infrastructure integrations that lead to a single qualified bidder. The rationale likely involved Booz Allen Hamilton possessing unique expertise or proprietary technology essential for this particular delivery order, though this warrants further investigation to ensure true competition was not stifled.

What measures are in place to ensure cost control and prevent overruns under the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure for this extensive intelligence system?

CPFF contracts aim to control costs by establishing a fixed fee for the contractor's profit, independent of the actual costs incurred. Oversight typically involves rigorous auditing of contractor expenses, performance metrics tied to milestones, and regular reviews by the contracting officer. The Army would likely employ Earned Value Management (EVM) techniques to monitor progress and costs, with defined ceilings and potential penalties for exceeding them without justification.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering 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: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

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: $35,529,897

Exercised Options: $35,529,897

Current Obligation: $35,527,522

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 17

Total Subaward Amount: $174,357,232

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W15P7T06DE401

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline