GSA Alliant 2 Task Order for Job Corps ESS Technology Support Awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton for $36.7M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,745,428 ($36.7M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2022-10-05

End Date: 2026-10-05

Contract Duration: 1,461 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: NEW TASK ORDER AGAINST GSA ALLIANT 2 CONTRACT 47QTCK18D0004, CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, MATERIALS, SUPERVISION, AND NON-PERSONAL SERVICES NECESSARY TO SUPPORT JOB CORPS NATIONAL ENROLLMENT SERVICES SYSTEM (ESS) TECHNOLO

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20210

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Labor obligated $36.7 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: NEW TASK ORDER AGAINST GSA ALLIANT 2 CONTRACT 47QTCK18D0004, CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, MATERIALS, SUPERVISION, AND NON-PERSONAL SERVICES NECESSARY TO SUPPORT JOB CORPS NATIONAL ENROLLMENT SERVICES SYSTEM (ESS) TECHNOLO Key points: 1. This task order represents a significant investment in the Job Corps National Enrollment Services System, aiming to enhance technological capabilities. 2. The contract leverages the GSA Alliant 2 vehicle, suggesting a pre-vetted framework for IT services. 3. Booz Allen Hamilton, a large incumbent contractor, is tasked with providing comprehensive IT support. 4. The duration of the contract extends over four years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 5. Performance is situated in Washington D.C., aligning with federal agency operations in the capital. 6. The contract type is 'Labor Hours', which can offer flexibility but requires careful monitoring of hours worked.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $36.7 million over four years for IT support to a national system appears reasonable, especially considering the scope of services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT system support contracts within federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The 'Labor Hours' pricing model necessitates diligent oversight to ensure efficient resource utilization and prevent cost overruns compared to fixed-price arrangements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This approach is generally expected to foster competitive pricing and encourage innovation. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the full and open nature suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing services at competitive market rates, thereby optimizing the use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Job Corps program and its participants, who will experience improved enrollment services through enhanced technology. The services delivered include comprehensive IT support for the National Enrollment Services System, crucial for program administration. The geographic impact is national, supporting the Job Corps' nationwide operations. Workforce implications include the potential for IT professionals employed by Booz Allen Hamilton to support this critical federal function.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in labor hour contracts if not managed tightly.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical IT infrastructure.
Ensuring adequate performance metrics are tied to the labor hour model.

Positive Signals

Leverages GSA Alliant 2, a pre-competed contract vehicle.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive award process.
Long-term contract duration provides stability for system support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a critical component of the broader IT services market. The federal government is a major consumer of these services, with significant spending allocated to maintaining and modernizing its vast IT infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks for large-scale IT system support within federal agencies often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars annually, depending on the system's complexity and user base.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside criterion for this specific task order. While the prime contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, is a large business, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. The extent of small business subcontracting will depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the specific requirements of the task order.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of Labor's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management, responsible for ensuring contract compliance and performance. The GSA Alliant 2 contract vehicle itself has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics and specific oversight activities are typically internal.

Related Government Programs

GSA Alliant 2 Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs)
Job Corps Program IT Modernization Efforts
Federal Civilian Agency IT Support Services
Department of Labor IT Infrastructure

Risk Flags

Labor Hour Pricing Model Oversight
Potential for Scope Creep
System Reliability and Performance Metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $36.7 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. NEW TASK ORDER AGAINST GSA ALLIANT 2 CONTRACT 47QTCK18D0004, CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, MATERIALS, SUPERVISION, AND NON-PERSONAL SERVICES NECESSARY TO SUPPORT JOB CORPS NATIONAL ENROLLMENT SERVICES SYSTEM (ESS) TECHNOLO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Labor (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $36.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-10-05. End: 2026-10-05.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with the Department of Labor and similar IT support contracts?

Booz Allen Hamilton has a substantial history of contracting with federal agencies, including the Department of Labor, across a wide range of IT and management consulting services. Their experience often involves large-scale system integration, modernization, and operational support. For similar IT support contracts, they typically leverage their extensive resources and established methodologies. Specific performance data for this agency and contract type would be available through federal procurement databases and agency performance reports, but their general profile suggests a capacity to handle complex federal IT requirements. Their long-standing presence in the federal contracting space indicates a familiarity with compliance, security, and reporting demands inherent in such roles.

How does the $36.7 million value compare to other IT support contracts for national enrollment systems?

The $36.7 million value over four years for supporting a national enrollment services system is within a common range for federal IT contracts of this scope. Large federal programs often require significant investment in technology to manage nationwide operations, data, and user access. For instance, similar enrollment or case management systems in other large federal agencies (e.g., Social Security Administration, Veterans Affairs) can have annual IT support costs ranging from several million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on system complexity, user base size, and modernization needs. The 'Labor Hours' pricing model can influence the final cost, making direct comparisons to fixed-price contracts challenging without detailed breakdowns of labor categories and hours utilized.

What are the primary risks associated with a 'Labor Hours' contract for IT system support?

The primary risks associated with a 'Labor Hours' contract for IT system support revolve around cost control and efficiency. Unlike fixed-price contracts, 'Labor Hours' pricing is directly tied to the amount of time personnel spend on tasks. This can lead to potential cost overruns if work is not managed efficiently, if scope creep occurs without proper change control, or if the estimated hours prove to be inaccurate. For taxpayers, the risk is paying for unproductive time or inflated labor rates. Effective mitigation requires robust oversight, detailed timesheet tracking, clear task definitions, and regular performance reviews to ensure that labor hours are being used productively and delivering the intended value.

How effective is the GSA Alliant 2 contract vehicle in ensuring value for money for IT services?

The GSA Alliant 2 contract vehicle is designed to streamline the procurement of IT services for federal agencies and is intended to promote value for money through pre-competed, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) task orders. By establishing a pool of pre-vetted contractors and offering various contract types, it aims to reduce acquisition lead times and administrative burden. However, the ultimate value for money is still heavily dependent on how task orders are structured, competed (even within the Alliant 2 framework), and managed. A full and open competition for task orders, as indicated here, is a strong indicator of competitive pricing. Continuous monitoring of performance and costs against benchmarks remains crucial to ensure that the Alliant 2 vehicle is delivering optimal value for this specific IT support requirement.

What are the implications of this contract for the Job Corps program's operational efficiency?

This contract is critical for the operational efficiency of the Job Corps program, as it directly supports the National Enrollment Services System (ESS). A robust and well-maintained ESS is fundamental for managing student applications, enrollment, tracking progress, and program administration across all Job Corps centers nationwide. By ensuring the technological backbone of these services is supported by a capable contractor like Booz Allen Hamilton, the program can expect improved system reliability, potentially faster processing times for applicants, better data management for program analysis, and enhanced user experience for staff and potentially students. Conversely, any disruption or underperformance in IT support could negatively impact enrollment numbers, administrative functions, and the overall effectiveness of the program's outreach and student services.

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 › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

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: $38,553,658

Exercised Options: $38,553,658

Current Obligation: $36,745,428

Actual Outlays: $33,474,506

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $104,106

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCK18D0004

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline