Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $3.8M contract for national security information program by EPA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,810,458 ($3.8M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-08-11

End Date: 2026-07-11

Contract Duration: 1,065 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: PERSONNEL SECURITY / NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $3.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: PERSONNEL SECURITY / NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-negotiated framework. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely. 3. The duration of 1065 days suggests a significant, ongoing need for these services. 4. The contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, is a large, established firm with extensive government contracting experience. 5. The specific NAICS code (541511) points to custom computer programming services, a critical area for information management. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, suggesting a focus on specialized capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.8 million over approximately three years for custom computer programming services related to personnel security and national security information appears reasonable given the contractor's expertise and the nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized IT services for national security programs would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain within expected parameters and do not escalate beyond the anticipated value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, likely through a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. This indicates that multiple potential offerors had the opportunity to bid on the requirement. The use of a BPA suggests that the EPA has pre-competed a range of services, and this call represents a specific task order. The level of competition, while not explicitly detailed in terms of the number of bidders, is generally expected to yield competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it promotes a competitive environment, driving down prices and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment. It also allows for innovation from a broader range of contractors.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal agencies requiring robust personnel security and national security information management systems. The services delivered will enhance the security and integrity of sensitive national security information. The geographic impact is likely national, given the nature of national security information programs. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized IT professionals with security clearances to support the program.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires close monitoring to prevent cost overruns.
The broad scope of 'national security information' could lead to scope creep if not clearly defined.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical security information systems may present long-term dependency risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Contractor (Booz Allen Hamilton) has a strong track record in government IT and security services.
BPA Call mechanism implies pre-competed and potentially favorable pricing structures.
Services directly support critical national security functions, indicating high importance and potential for positive impact.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511). The market for IT services supporting government national security programs is substantial, with significant spending allocated annually. Booz Allen Hamilton is a major player in this space, competing with other large system integrators and IT service providers. This contract represents a portion of the broader federal spending on cybersecurity, data management, and information assurance, which are critical components of national defense and security.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'sb': false. The award to a large prime contractor like Booz Allen Hamilton suggests that the primary focus was on specialized capabilities and experience that may be more readily available from larger firms. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without a small business set-aside or specific subcontracting goals, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular contract is likely minimal, though large prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specific components of their work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs will be essential to ensure compliance and prevent overspending. The EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are typically internal.

Related Government Programs

Personnel Security Management Systems
National Security Information Systems
Custom Computer Programming Services
IT Services for Federal Agencies
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Risk of scope creep if program requirements are not tightly managed.
Dependency on a single large contractor for critical national security functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $3.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. PERSONNEL SECURITY / NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-11. End: 2026-07-11.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar national security information programs at the EPA?

Analyzing historical spending for similar programs at the EPA requires access to detailed federal procurement data beyond the scope of this single contract. However, generally, federal agencies like the EPA allocate significant resources to IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and information management, especially concerning sensitive data. Spending on such programs can fluctuate based on evolving threats, technological advancements, and specific agency priorities. A review of past contracts for IT services, particularly those related to security and data management, would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of services procured. Without specific historical data for the EPA's national security information programs, it's difficult to provide precise figures, but it's reasonable to assume consistent investment in these critical areas.

How does the contractor's performance on previous, similar contracts compare to the current award?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a large, established government contractor with a long history of performance across various federal agencies, including extensive work in IT, cybersecurity, and national security. Their track record generally indicates a capacity to deliver complex solutions. To assess performance specifically related to this contract, one would need to examine past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports) for contracts involving personnel security and national security information management. While specific details are not provided here, Booz Allen Hamilton's size and experience suggest a generally positive performance history, though like any large contractor, specific project successes and challenges would vary. The EPA's oversight will be crucial in ensuring continued satisfactory performance.

What are the key risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for this type of service?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton, carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. The government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently. Key risks include potential for scope creep, where the project expands beyond its original objectives without adequate cost adjustments, and contractor inefficiency, as there is less incentive to complete work quickly compared to fixed-price contracts. For national security information programs, ensuring the quality and security of the work performed is paramount, and T&M contracts require robust oversight mechanisms, including detailed tracking of hours, rates, and materials, as well as clear definition of deliverables and milestones to mitigate these risks.

What is the estimated total value of this contract over its full duration?

The provided data indicates an award amount ('a') of $3,810,458.22. While the contract has an end date of July 11, 2026, and a start date of August 11, 2023, the 'a' value typically represents the ceiling or obligated amount at the time of award or a specific reporting period, not necessarily the total potential value if fully exercised over its entire duration. Given the contract type (BPA Call) and duration (1065 days), this amount likely represents the maximum the government is committed to spending or the estimated total value. Without further information on funding actions or modifications, $3.81 million is the best available figure for the contract's value.

How does the NAICS code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) align with the contract description 'PERSONNEL SECURITY / NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION PROGRAM'?

The NAICS code 541511, Custom Computer Programming Services, aligns well with the contract description 'PERSONNEL SECURITY / NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION PROGRAM'. Developing and maintaining systems for managing sensitive personnel and national security information inherently requires custom software development. This includes creating databases, secure access controls, data encryption, reporting tools, and integration with other systems. Such programs often involve unique requirements that off-the-shelf software cannot meet, necessitating tailored programming solutions to ensure data integrity, confidentiality, and compliance with stringent security protocols. Therefore, custom computer programming is a fundamental service required for the effective operation and security of these programs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming 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: 68HERC23Q0128

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

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: $4,304,028

Exercised Options: $4,304,028

Current Obligation: $3,810,458

Actual Outlays: $3,345,427

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC23A0007

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline