Interior's $22.8M ATO SETA Support Contract Awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,818,832 ($22.8M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2006-05-08

End Date: 2010-11-07

Contract Duration: 1,644 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT

Sector: Other

Official Description: ATO OFFICE-WIDE SETA SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $22.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: ATO OFFICE-WIDE SETA SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $22.8M for SETA support services. 2. Booz Allen Hamilton is the sole awardee. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's fixed-price level-of-effort structure aims to control costs, but the total value suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking against similar large-scale professional services contracts is needed for a precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing. The use of a delivery order mechanism within a larger contract framework is common for ongoing support needs.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging competitive bids, potentially leading to better value for the government's $22.8M expenditure.

Public Impact

Taxpayers fund essential support services for the Department of the Interior's ATO office. The contract ensures continuity of operations through specialized technical assistance. Booz Allen Hamilton, a large contractor, receives significant federal funding.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Potential for scope creep in long-term support contracts.
Limited insight into the specific value derived from the $22.8M investment.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Fixed-price contract type can help manage costs.
Contract duration of over 4 years provides stability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category often used for specialized consulting and support. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs and project complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Larger prime contractors like Booz Allen Hamilton may subcontract to small businesses, but this is not explicitly stated.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded via a delivery order, suggesting it might be part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. Oversight would depend on the specific IDIQ's structure and the agency's internal controls.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
Departmental Offices Programs

Risk Flags

Contract awarded to a single large business.
Potential for undefined scope in SETA services.
Limited transparency on specific deliverables and performance metrics.
Long contract duration may increase risk of obsolescence or changing needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $22.8 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. ATO OFFICE-WIDE SETA SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-05-08. End: 2010-11-07.

What specific technical and scientific services are encompassed by 'ATO OFFICE-WIDE SETA SUPPORT' and how do they align with the Department of the Interior's mission objectives?

SETA (Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance) support typically involves providing expertise in areas like program management, systems engineering, cybersecurity, and acquisition support. For the ATO (Air Traffic Organization, though in this context likely referring to a different 'ATO' within Interior), these services would be crucial for ensuring the effective operation, modernization, and security of its systems and processes. The alignment would depend on the specific 'ATO' within Interior, but generally, it supports the agency's core functions and strategic goals.

Given the $22.8M value and fixed-price nature, what are the primary risks associated with cost overruns or underperformance for this contract?

The primary risk with a fixed-price level-of-effort contract is that the contractor may not fully exert the 'effort' required if the fixed price is too low, leading to underperformance or rushed work. Conversely, if the effort is underestimated, the contractor might cut corners to stay within budget. Scope creep is also a risk; if the definition of 'effort' expands without a contract modification, costs could effectively increase for the government beyond the initial $22.8M, despite the fixed-price structure.

How effectively does the 'full and open competition' method ensure optimal value for taxpayer money in the context of specialized SETA support services?

Full and open competition is designed to maximize value by allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, fostering a competitive environment that ideally drives down prices and improves service quality. For specialized SETA support, this method is effective if the requirements are clearly defined and the market has multiple capable providers. However, the complexity of SETA services can sometimes make it challenging to compare bids solely on price, requiring robust evaluation criteria to ensure the best technical solution is chosen alongside a fair price.

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 › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: NBCHR040044

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT (B)

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: $22,818,832

Exercised Options: $22,818,832

Current Obligation: $22,818,832

Actual Outlays: $616

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: IND04PC60091

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline