Transportation contract for grant oversight awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton for over $3.2M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,260,294 ($3.3M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2022-09-26

End Date: 2024-02-29

Contract Duration: 521 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: MONITORING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT (MTAS) FOR TECHNICAL OVERSIGHT OF FRA'S GRANTEES AND THEIR CAPITAL PROJECTS SELECTED UNDER SELECT FRA DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAMS. THROUGH THIS OVERSIGHT ENDEAVOR, FRA PROVIDES STEWARDSHIP OF TAXPAYER

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $3.3 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: MONITORING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT (MTAS) FOR TECHNICAL OVERSIGHT OF FRA'S GRANTEES AND THEIR CAPITAL PROJECTS SELECTED UNDER SELECT FRA DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAMS. THROUGH THIS OVERSIGHT ENDEAVOR, FRA PROVIDES STEWARDSHIP OF TAXPAYER Key points: 1. Contract focuses on technical assistance and monitoring for Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grants. 2. The award was made under a broader Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. 3. Services include oversight of grantee capital projects, indicating a focus on infrastructure. 4. The contract duration is approximately 1.7 years, suggesting a medium-term engagement. 5. The primary service category is Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. 6. No small business set-aside was applied to this specific award.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $3.26 million for 1.7 years of service appears reasonable for specialized technical oversight of federal grants. Benchmarking against similar contracts for grant management and technical assistance would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The use of a BPA Call suggests that some level of pre-negotiated pricing may be in effect, potentially leading to efficiencies. However, without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

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 specific mechanism was a BPA Call, suggesting it was competed within an existing BPA framework. The number of bidders is not specified, but full and open competition generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, driving down costs and encouraging innovation. This approach ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, thereby fostering a more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

Taxpayer funds are being used to ensure the proper stewardship and oversight of federal grants. Beneficiaries include recipients of FRA discretionary grants, who will receive technical assistance. The services support the effective management of capital projects funded by the FRA. The contract indirectly impacts the transportation sector by ensuring the quality of infrastructure projects. Workforce implications are primarily within the consulting sector, specifically for Booz Allen Hamilton.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if grant programs expand beyond initial expectations.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical oversight functions could pose a risk if performance falters.
The effectiveness of technical assistance is dependent on the expertise and diligence of the contractor's personnel.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Booz Allen Hamilton is a large, established contractor with significant experience in government consulting.
The contract aims to provide necessary technical oversight, which is a crucial function for grant management.
The BPA Call mechanism may indicate pre-vetted capabilities and pricing structures.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically management and consulting. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) utilizes such services to ensure accountability and effective execution of its grant programs, particularly those focused on capital investments in transportation infrastructure. The market for government consulting services is substantial, with agencies frequently procuring expertise for program oversight, technical assistance, and administrative support. This contract represents a small but important component of the broader federal spending on grant administration and oversight.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by the 'ss' field being false. Booz Allen Hamilton is a large prime contractor. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this specific award. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular contract is likely minimal, unless subcontracting opportunities arise organically through the prime contractor's broader engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) contracting officers and program managers. As a contract awarded under a BPA Call, there may be established oversight mechanisms within the parent BPA. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected within the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

Federal Grant Management
Transportation Infrastructure Funding
Technical Assistance Programs
Management and Consulting Services
Federal Railroad Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Contract awarded under a BPA Call, requiring review of the parent BPA's terms.
Performance metrics and specific deliverables are not detailed in the provided data.
Potential for undefined scope creep in technical assistance and monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $3.3 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. MONITORING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT (MTAS) FOR TECHNICAL OVERSIGHT OF FRA'S GRANTEES AND THEIR CAPITAL PROJECTS SELECTED UNDER SELECT FRA DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAMS. THROUGH THIS OVERSIGHT ENDEAVOR, FRA PROVIDES STEWARDSHIP OF TAXPAYER

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 Railroad Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-26. End: 2024-02-29.

What is the specific nature of the technical assistance provided to FRA grantees?

The contract specifies 'Monitoring and Technical Assistance Support (MTAS) for Technical Oversight of FRA's Grantees and their Capital Projects.' This implies that Booz Allen Hamilton provides expertise to help grantees manage their projects effectively, ensure compliance with grant terms, and overcome technical challenges. This could include guidance on project planning, execution, financial management, reporting, and adherence to federal regulations. The goal is to ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently and that the intended outcomes of the capital projects are achieved.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar grant oversight contracts?

Direct comparison is difficult without access to a comprehensive database of similar contracts with identical scopes and durations. However, a contract value of approximately $3.26 million over 1.7 years for specialized technical and monitoring support for federal grants is within a reasonable range for a large, experienced contractor like Booz Allen Hamilton. The complexity of overseeing capital projects, which often involve significant financial and technical aspects, justifies such an investment. Further analysis would require benchmarking against contracts for similar agencies or grant types, considering factors like the number of grants overseen and the scale of the projects.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, typical KPIs for such a contract would likely include metrics related to the timeliness and accuracy of monitoring reports, the effectiveness of technical guidance provided to grantees, the number of compliance issues identified and resolved, and overall grantee satisfaction with the support received. The Federal Railroad Administration would establish these KPIs to ensure that Booz Allen Hamilton is meeting the contract's objectives and providing value for taxpayer money.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with the Department of Transportation and FRA?

Booz Allen Hamilton has a long-standing and extensive track record of providing a wide range of services to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and its various agencies, including the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Their work often encompasses strategic planning, program management, IT support, cybersecurity, and technical consulting. Given their size and focus on federal contracts, it is highly probable they have supported numerous grant programs and oversight functions across DOT. Specific details on past performance for FRA grant oversight would require a deeper dive into contract history databases.

What is the historical spending trend for similar grant oversight services by the FRA?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar grant oversight services by the FRA would require access to historical contract data. However, it is reasonable to assume that as federal grant programs, particularly those focused on infrastructure and capital projects, evolve and potentially increase in volume or value, the need for robust oversight and technical assistance also grows. Therefore, spending in this area is likely to fluctuate based on federal appropriations, administration priorities, and the specific grant programs being funded and managed by the FRA.

Are there any identified risks associated with this specific contract award?

While the data does not explicitly list risks for this contract, general risks associated with technical assistance and oversight contracts include potential for contractor performance issues, challenges in accurately assessing grantee progress, and the possibility of the scope of work expanding beyond initial projections. The reliance on a single contractor for critical oversight functions also presents a risk if their performance is subpar. The effectiveness of the oversight is also contingent on the clarity of the grant requirements and the cooperation of the grantees themselves.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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: FR22RPD11000000004

Offers Received: 1

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: $3,260,294

Exercised Options: $3,260,294

Current Obligation: $3,260,294

Actual Outlays: $3,260,294

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JJ619A000002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline