Booz Allen Hamilton awarded $4.16M for data access and retention services by DOT's Federal Highway Administration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,156,056 ($4.2M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2018-09-12

End Date: 2022-01-12

Contract Duration: 1,218 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NON PERSONAL SERVICES FOR DATA ACCESS AND RETENTION PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: MC LEAN, LOUDOUN County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20598

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $4.2 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: NON PERSONAL SERVICES FOR DATA ACCESS AND RETENTION PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized data services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment. 3. Contract duration of nearly 3.5 years indicates a long-term need. 4. Services align with broader government efforts in data management. 5. Performance risk appears moderate given contractor's experience.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $4.16 million over 1218 days (roughly 3.3 years) for data access and retention services seems within a reasonable range for specialized professional services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for data management and IT support within the federal government would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The time and materials pricing structure, while flexible, can sometimes lead to higher costs if not closely managed, but the overall value appears fair given the scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, full and open competition generally ensures a fair market price is achieved compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the assurance that the government sought the best possible price and quality through a competitive process, rather than potentially overpaying under a less competitive award.

Public Impact

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) benefits from enhanced data access and retention capabilities. Improved data management supports the agency's mission in transportation infrastructure. Services likely impact internal FHWA operations and data analysis. Geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the contractor is located.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with time and materials pricing if not managed effectively.
Scope creep could increase the final cost beyond initial estimates.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Contract duration indicates a stable, long-term need for these services.
Contractor has a significant presence in federal contracting, implying experience.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically data management and IT support. The market for such services is large and competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in data access, retention, and analysis. The $4.16 million award is a moderate-sized contract within this sector, reflecting a specific need for the Federal Highway Administration's operations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this specific award, though Booz Allen Hamilton may engage small businesses in their broader operations.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Federal Highway Administration. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including delivery schedules and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed operational oversight specifics are not publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Federal Data Strategy
IT Modernization Initiatives
Transportation Data Management Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Scope creep risk inherent in long-term service contracts.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical data functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $4.2 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. NON PERSONAL SERVICES FOR DATA ACCESS AND RETENTION PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-09-12. End: 2022-01-12.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with the Federal Highway Administration and similar data services contracts?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a large, established federal contractor with a significant history of performing IT and professional services for various government agencies, including the Department of Transportation and its sub-agencies like the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). While specific contract details with FHWA for data access and retention are not fully detailed in the provided data, the company's extensive experience in areas like data management, cybersecurity, and IT modernization suggests a strong capability to fulfill such requirements. Their track record generally includes managing complex projects and delivering technical solutions across numerous federal programs. Further analysis would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and other contracts awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton by the FHWA and related transportation entities to assess their specific performance history and client satisfaction.

How does the $4.16 million contract value compare to similar data access and retention services procured by the federal government?

The $4.16 million contract value for data access and retention services over approximately 3.3 years is considered a moderate-sized award within the federal IT and professional services landscape. Benchmarking requires comparing it to contracts with similar scopes, durations, and service levels. For instance, contracts for enterprise data warehousing, cloud data storage solutions, or large-scale data migration projects can range from hundreds of thousands to tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Given that this contract is for 'NON PERSONAL SERVICES FOR DATA ACCESS AND RETENTION PROGRAM' and awarded via 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' with 'TIME AND MATERIALS' pricing, it suggests a focused service rather than a massive infrastructure build-out. The per-year cost averages around $1.26 million, which appears reasonable for specialized data management support, especially when considering the contractor's expertise and the specific needs of the Federal Highway Administration.

What are the primary risks associated with this 'Time and Materials' contract type for data services?

The primary risk associated with a 'Time and Materials' (T&M) contract type, like the one awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton for data access and retention, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can lead to higher-than-anticipated costs if project scope expands (scope creep), if labor hours are not efficiently utilized, or if the estimated hourly rates are higher than market averages. Effective oversight by the government is crucial to mitigate these risks. This includes closely monitoring labor hours, ensuring that work performed aligns with the contract's objectives, and validating that the rates are fair and reasonable. Without diligent management, T&M contracts can become more expensive than initially projected.

What does the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code (541990) imply about the nature of the services provided?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is a broad category used for establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized professional, scientific, or technical services not elsewhere classified. For this contract, it implies that the services provided by Booz Allen Hamilton go beyond typical IT support, engineering, or research and development. It suggests a focus on unique or niche data-related functions, potentially including data strategy consulting, advanced data analytics support, specialized data governance, or complex data integration and access solutions that don't fit neatly into more specific NAICS codes. The 'NON PERSONAL SERVICES' designation further clarifies that the contract is for services rendered by the contractor, not for the lease or purchase of personal property.

How does the contract duration of 1218 days (over 3 years) impact the assessment of the government's need and contractor commitment?

A contract duration of 1218 days, approximately 3 years and 4 months, indicates a sustained and significant need for the data access and retention services by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This extended period suggests that these services are integral to the agency's ongoing operations and strategic objectives, rather than a short-term or ad-hoc requirement. For the contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, this duration provides a stable revenue stream and allows for deeper integration into the FHWA's data environment. It also implies a commitment from the government to a particular approach or solution for managing its data assets over the medium term. The length of the contract can also be a factor in assessing value, as longer-term engagements may allow for economies of scale or more comprehensive service delivery compared to multiple short-term contracts.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › TRANSPORTATION (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

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: $4,156,056

Exercised Options: $4,156,056

Current Obligation: $4,156,056

Actual Outlays: $2,870,084

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $144,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFH6116D00035

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline