Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $2.46M EPA contract for critical environmental and safety support services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,455,251 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-09-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ONSITE ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, RADIATION SAFETY PROGRAMS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (EMS) AT THE US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA), OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND D

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $2.5 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: ONSITE ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, RADIATION SAFETY PROGRAMS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (EMS) AT THE US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA), OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND D Key points: 1. Contract provides essential administrative and technical support for key EPA programs. 2. Services encompass occupational health, safety, environmental management, and radiation safety. 3. The contract duration is three years, indicating a medium-term commitment. 4. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 6. The contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, is a large, established federal contractor. 7. The scope includes support for Environmental Management Systems (EMS).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.46 million over three years appears reasonable for the scope of specialized administrative and technical support required by the EPA. Benchmarking against similar contracts for comprehensive environmental and safety program support is difficult without more granular data on specific services and deliverables. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure warrants careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep, as T&M contracts can sometimes lead to higher overall costs compared to fixed-price arrangements if not managed diligently.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. While the number of bidders is not specified, this approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The open competition suggests that the EPA sought to leverage the broadest possible market to find the best value for these critical support services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors, ensuring that the government receives robust support services at a fair market value.

Public Impact

The EPA's Office of Research and Development benefits from enhanced administrative and technical support. Services directly contribute to maintaining safe and compliant occupational health and environmental practices. Radiation safety programs receive crucial support, ensuring regulatory adherence and public safety. Environmental Management Systems (EMS) are strengthened, promoting sustainable practices within the agency. The contract supports the operational effectiveness of key EPA functions related to environmental protection and research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure may lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Scope definition for administrative and technical support needs clear boundaries to prevent creep.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical support functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Contractor (Booz Allen Hamilton) has extensive experience in federal contracting and relevant service areas.
Contract supports critical EPA functions essential for environmental protection and safety.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on environmental consulting and support. The market for such services is substantial, driven by regulatory requirements and the need for specialized expertise in areas like environmental management, safety, and compliance. The EPA, as a major federal agency, frequently procures these types of services to support its mission. Comparable spending often involves contracts for environmental remediation, compliance monitoring, and technical assistance across various government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, and opportunities for small businesses would likely depend on Booz Allen Hamilton's own subcontracting decisions. Without explicit set-aside provisions or goals, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific contract is likely minimal.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the EPA's Office of Research and Development. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of the contract necessitates close monitoring of labor hours and costs to ensure adherence to the contract ceiling and prevent unauthorized work. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting mechanisms, and while specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction isn't detailed here, the EPA OIG has broad authority to investigate waste, fraud, and abuse in agency contracts.

Related Government Programs

EPA Environmental Consulting Services
Federal Occupational Health and Safety Contracts
Environmental Management Systems Support
Radiation Safety Program Support
Technical Support Services for Federal Agencies

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing structure.
Need for robust oversight to manage scope and efficiency.
Dependence on contractor performance for critical safety and environmental functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $2.5 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. ONSITE ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, RADIATION SAFETY PROGRAMS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (EMS) AT THE US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA), OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND D

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 $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with the EPA and similar federal agencies for providing administrative and technical support services?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a major federal contractor with a long history of serving various government agencies, including the EPA. They have extensive experience in providing a wide range of services, including IT, cybersecurity, management consulting, and technical support. For the EPA specifically, their past performance likely includes contracts related to environmental science, data management, and program support. A detailed review of their contract history with the EPA would reveal specific projects, performance ratings, and any past issues. Generally, as a large, established firm, they possess significant resources and expertise, but like any large contractor, they may have faced performance challenges or disputes on specific contracts over their extensive tenure.

How does the $2.46 million contract value compare to similar EPA contracts for environmental and safety support?

The $2.46 million value over three years for comprehensive administrative and technical support for occupational health, safety, environmental management, and radiation safety programs is within a typical range for specialized federal support contracts. However, a precise comparison is challenging without knowing the exact scope, deliverables, and labor mix. Contracts for similar services can vary significantly based on the agency's size, the complexity of its operations, and the specific expertise required. For instance, contracts supporting large-scale environmental remediation or complex research initiatives might be substantially larger. Conversely, smaller, more focused support tasks would be valued lower. This contract appears to be of moderate size for the breadth of support it covers.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for these services?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, like this one, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fixed fee or percentage. If the scope of work is not clearly defined, or if work is not closely monitored, the contractor may incur more hours or use more resources than anticipated, driving up the total cost beyond initial estimates. This can lead to a lack of incentive for the contractor to be efficient. For the EPA, this means diligent oversight, clear task orders, and regular performance reviews are crucial to manage costs effectively and ensure value for taxpayer money.

How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for money for this type of specialized support service?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money, especially for specialized support services. It allows the government to solicit bids from the widest possible pool of qualified contractors, fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. For services like environmental and safety management support, where expertise can vary, competition helps identify contractors offering the best combination of technical capability and cost-effectiveness. While the process can be more time-consuming than other methods, the potential for significant cost savings and access to a broader range of solutions typically outweighs these drawbacks, ultimately benefiting taxpayers.

What is the historical spending trend for similar environmental and safety support services at the EPA?

Historical spending trends for environmental and safety support services at the EPA are generally characterized by consistent procurement due to the agency's core mission and regulatory responsibilities. Agencies like the EPA continuously require expertise in areas such as environmental compliance, occupational safety, radiation protection, and data analysis. Spending in these categories can fluctuate based on new regulations, specific program initiatives, or shifts in agency priorities. While this specific $2.46 million contract represents a snapshot, the EPA's overall budget allocation for such support services typically remains significant year over year, reflecting the ongoing need for specialized technical and administrative assistance to fulfill its mandate.

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: 68HERC23Q0110

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: $2,931,676

Exercised Options: $2,931,676

Current Obligation: $2,455,251

Actual Outlays: $1,783,852

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $75,087

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC23A0007

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline