Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $69.7M for U2 Mission Planning Cell Support, a significant engineering services contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $69,669,970 ($69.7M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2021-12-06

End Date: 2026-06-05

Contract Duration: 1,642 days

Daily Burn Rate: $42.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Defense

Official Description: U2 MISSION PLANNING CELL SUPPORT SERVICES SOLICITATION IDS ARE: 47QFPA21Q0023 / 47QFPA21R0025

Place of Performance

Location: BEALE AFB, YUBA County, CALIFORNIA, 95903

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $69.7 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: U2 MISSION PLANNING CELL SUPPORT SERVICES SOLICITATION IDS ARE: 47QFPA21Q0023 / 47QFPA21R0025 Key points: 1. The contract value represents a substantial investment in specialized engineering and mission planning capabilities. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are crucial for ensuring fair pricing and optimal resource allocation. 3. Performance monitoring will be key to assessing the effectiveness of the support services provided. 4. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term need for these critical services. 5. This award falls within the broader category of engineering services, a vital sector for government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $69.7 million over its period of performance appears reasonable for specialized mission planning support. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering services contracts awarded by the GSA suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The use of labor hours provides flexibility but requires diligent oversight to ensure efficient utilization and prevent cost overruns. Further analysis of the specific labor categories and rates would be needed for a more precise value-for-money assessment.

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 presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized service. While more than one bidder is positive, a higher number of bids typically leads to more robust price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government. The specific details of the bidding process and evaluation criteria would offer further insight into the competitive intensity.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of offers, potentially leading to more competitive pricing and better value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military or intelligence agencies requiring advanced mission planning and analysis. Services delivered include critical support for strategic and operational planning processes. The geographic impact is primarily focused on the operational theaters or command centers where the U2 mission planning cell is located, likely within California. Workforce implications may involve specialized engineers, analysts, and technical personnel contributing to national security objectives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if mission requirements evolve significantly during the contract period.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical mission planning support could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring consistent quality and adherence to evolving security protocols across the contract duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Contractor (Booz Allen Hamilton) has a strong track record in government contracting and engineering services.
Clear performance standards and delivery timelines are likely established within the contract.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a critical component of the federal acquisition landscape supporting defense, intelligence, and other government functions. The market for specialized mission planning and analysis support is competitive, with several large and mid-sized firms offering these capabilities. The total federal spending on engineering services is in the tens of billions annually, with significant portions dedicated to defense and national security. This contract represents a specific, high-value engagement within that broader market.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Booz Allen Hamilton is a large prime contractor. While there is no direct indication of small business subcontracting requirements in the provided data, large prime contractors are often encouraged or required to subcontract portions of their work to small businesses to foster the small business ecosystem. The absence of a set-aside suggests the primary focus was on obtaining the most capable large-scale provider.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service, with program-specific oversight from the end-user agency. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, including defined deliverables, milestones, and quality standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Intelligence Community Support Services
Aerospace Engineering Services
Mission Support Contracts
Defense Planning and Analysis
Federal IT and Engineering Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to labor hour contract type.
Reliance on contractor for critical mission planning functions.
Evolving technological landscape may impact service relevance.
Cybersecurity risks associated with sensitive mission data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $69.7 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. U2 MISSION PLANNING CELL SUPPORT SERVICES SOLICITATION IDS ARE: 47QFPA21Q0023 / 47QFPA21R0025

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $69.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-12-06. End: 2026-06-05.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with similar mission planning or engineering support contracts?

Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. is a well-established government contractor with extensive experience in providing a wide range of professional and technical services, including engineering, IT, and mission support. They have a significant history of securing and performing on large-scale contracts for defense and intelligence agencies. Their track record typically involves complex analytical, strategic, and operational support. While specific details of past mission planning contracts would require deeper database searches, their overall profile suggests a capacity to handle contracts of this nature and magnitude. Past performance evaluations, often available in contract databases, would provide more granular insights into their success rates, quality of service, and adherence to schedules and budgets on similar engagements.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or previous contract values for this service?

The awarded amount of $69.7 million represents the total value for the period of performance from December 6, 2021, to June 5, 2026. Without knowing the government's initial estimate or the value of any predecessor contracts for the U2 Mission Planning Cell Support, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the duration of approximately 4.5 years suggests an average annual value of around $15.5 million. This figure can be used as a preliminary benchmark. If previous contracts for similar services were significantly lower or higher, it could indicate changes in scope, market rates, or competition. Further investigation into historical contract data for this specific function would be necessary for a robust comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of engineering and mission planning support contract?

Key risks for this contract include technical obsolescence, as mission planning tools and technologies evolve rapidly. There's also a risk of scope creep, where evolving mission requirements might necessitate additional work not fully accounted for in the initial contract, potentially leading to cost overruns or schedule delays. Contractor performance risk is another factor; ensuring Booz Allen Hamilton consistently delivers high-quality, timely support is crucial. Furthermore, reliance on specialized personnel means that attrition or difficulty in recruiting qualified staff could impact service delivery. Finally, cybersecurity risks are inherent in handling sensitive mission data, requiring robust security protocols and continuous vigilance.

How effective is the General Services Administration (GSA) in overseeing large engineering services contracts like this one?

The GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) plays a significant role in managing and overseeing a vast portfolio of government contracts, including engineering services. GSA's effectiveness in overseeing large contracts like this one is generally considered good, particularly due to their established procurement processes, contract vehicles, and experienced contracting officers. They provide a framework for competition, contract administration, and dispute resolution. However, the ultimate effectiveness also depends on the specific contracting officer's diligence, the clarity of the contract's performance work statement, and the active involvement of the requiring agency (the end-user of the services) in monitoring performance and ensuring compliance. GSA's role is often to facilitate the procurement, while the requiring agency typically handles day-to-day performance oversight.

What is the historical spending trend for engineering services (NAICS 541330) by the federal government?

Federal spending on engineering services (NAICS 541330) has historically been substantial, often exceeding tens of billions of dollars annually. This category is a cornerstone of government contracting, particularly for the Department of Defense, NASA, and other agencies involved in infrastructure, research, development, and national security. Spending trends can fluctuate based on geopolitical events, infrastructure initiatives, and budget allocations. In recent years, there has been a consistent demand for engineering services supporting modernization efforts, advanced technology development, and large-scale projects. While specific year-over-year data requires access to detailed federal procurement databases (like FPDS), the overall trend indicates a robust and enduring market for these specialized services.

What are the implications of this contract being awarded as a Delivery Order (aw: DELIVERY ORDER)?

The designation 'DELIVERY ORDER' typically implies that this contract is a task order issued against a larger, pre-existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar type of contract vehicle. This means that the underlying contract structure, terms, and conditions were likely established previously, possibly through a broader competition. A delivery order then specifies the exact goods or services to be delivered, quantities, delivery dates, and price for that specific order. For this contract, it suggests that Booz Allen Hamilton holds a master contract with GSA, and this $69.7 million award is one specific task or delivery against that master agreement. This approach allows agencies flexibility to order services as needed over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Solicitation ID: 47QFPA21Q0023/21R0025

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation

Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DR, MC LEAN, 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: $158,318,243

Exercised Options: $78,389,502

Current Obligation: $69,669,970

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 6

Total Subaward Amount: $16,931,149

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU108

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline