Interior's $15.8M IT support contract for National Children's Study awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,871,028 ($15.9M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2003-12-11

End Date: 2008-03-01

Contract Duration: 1,542 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: NATIONAL CHILDREN'S STUDY IT TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $15.9 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: NATIONAL CHILDREN'S STUDY IT TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a competitive delivery order, suggesting a degree of market vetting. 2. The contract's duration of over 4 years indicates a need for sustained IT support. 3. Services provided fall under Computer Systems Design, a common IT support category. 4. The Time and Materials pricing structure can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely. 5. Awarded to a large, established contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, known for significant federal IT work. 6. The contract value is moderate within the context of large federal IT procurements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without more granular data on the scope of 'IT Technical Support Services' for the National Children's Study. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, often carries a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts if not meticulously managed and monitored. The contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, is a major player in the federal IT space, suggesting they possess the capabilities, but T&M awards can sometimes indicate less defined requirements at the outset or a need for rapid response, which may not always yield the best value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER', indicating it was likely competed under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle. The term 'full-and-open' suggests that all responsible sources were permitted to compete. The fact that it was a delivery order implies that multiple bids were likely solicited and evaluated, leading to the selection of Booz Allen Hamilton. The competitive nature, even within a delivery order context, generally promotes price discovery and encourages contractors to offer competitive terms.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even for a delivery order, is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best possible price and quality through market forces, reducing the likelihood of inflated costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the researchers and administrators involved in the National Children's Study, who receive essential IT infrastructure and support. Services delivered include computer systems design and technical support, crucial for data collection, management, and analysis. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of the Interior's operational scope, likely supporting study activities nationwide. Workforce implications include the employment of IT professionals by Booz Allen Hamilton to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure can lead to cost uncertainty and potential overruns if not closely monitored.
The contract's duration of over four years necessitates ongoing vigilance to ensure continued value and performance.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical IT support may present risks if performance falters or strategic priorities shift.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive delivery order process, indicating a level of market competition.
Booz Allen Hamilton is a well-established contractor with extensive experience in federal IT services.
The contract supports a significant public health research initiative, the National Children's Study.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. The federal IT market is vast, with agencies consistently procuring services for system design, integration, maintenance, and support. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT technical support services vary widely based on scope, duration, and complexity. Large IT service providers like Booz Allen Hamilton are key players in this sector, often holding multiple IDIQ vehicles through which task orders like this are issued. The market is characterized by intense competition, particularly for large-scale contracts, but also by specialized niches.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside designation (ss: false, sb: false). Booz Allen Hamilton is a large business. While the prime contract was not set aside for small businesses, there may be subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the scope of this IT technical support work. However, without specific subcontracting plans or goals detailed in the award data, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. Large prime contractors are often encouraged or required to meet certain small business subcontracting targets, but this information is not provided here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the relevant program officials within the Department of the Interior. As a delivery order under a larger contract, oversight mechanisms would be tied to the terms of the base IDIQ contract and the specific terms and conditions of this delivery order. Performance monitoring, invoicing review, and adherence to service level agreements would be key oversight activities. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

National Children's Study
Department of the Interior IT Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Federal IT Support Contracts
Time and Materials Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing
Potential for Cost Overruns
Contract Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $15.9 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. NATIONAL CHILDREN'S STUDY IT TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES

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 $15.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-12-11. End: 2008-03-01.

What was the specific scope of 'IT Technical Support Services' provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Computer Systems Design Services' (NAICS code 541512) and labeled as 'IT TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES' for the 'NATIONAL CHILDREN'S STUDY'. While specific deliverables are not detailed, this typically encompasses a range of activities such as maintaining computer systems, network infrastructure support, software installation and troubleshooting, user support, and potentially system design or integration consulting related to the study's IT needs. The duration of over 1500 days (approximately 4 years) suggests a comprehensive and ongoing support requirement rather than a short-term project. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure implies that the exact scope might have evolved or required flexibility during the contract period, with payment based on labor hours and direct costs incurred.

How does the $15.8 million contract value compare to similar IT support contracts within the Department of the Interior?

Comparing the $15.8 million value requires context regarding the specific nature and duration of IT support. The Department of the Interior procures a wide array of IT services, ranging from enterprise-wide system development to localized technical support. A contract of this value, spanning over four years, represents a significant but not extraordinary investment for a specialized study like the National Children's Study. Larger contracts within the DOI might involve major system modernizations or cloud migrations, potentially reaching hundreds of millions. Conversely, smaller, localized support contracts could be in the hundreds of thousands or low millions. Therefore, this contract appears to be of moderate size within the DOI's IT spending portfolio, reflecting a substantial, multi-year commitment to a specific program's technical needs.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure used for this contract?

The primary risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure is the potential for cost overruns and a lack of definitive cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for actual labor hours expended and direct costs incurred, plus a fixed fee or நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்ட profit margin. This can lead to higher-than-anticipated costs if the project scope expands, if labor hours are not efficiently utilized, or if unforeseen issues require more extensive work. For the government, it necessitates robust oversight and monitoring to ensure that the hours billed are reasonable and necessary for the work performed. Without strong management and clear task definitions, T&M contracts can become significantly more expensive than initially projected.

What is Booz Allen Hamilton's track record with federal IT contracts, particularly with the Department of the Interior?

Booz Allen Hamilton is a major, long-standing federal contractor with an extensive track record across numerous agencies, including the Department of the Interior. They consistently win large contracts for a wide range of services, including IT, cybersecurity, management consulting, and engineering. Their history with the DOI likely includes multiple IT support and systems design contracts, given the agency's diverse technological needs. While specific performance details for every contract are not publicly available, their continued success in winning competitive bids suggests a generally positive performance record and strong past performance evaluations. However, like any large contractor, they may have faced scrutiny or performance issues on specific contracts over their long history.

How does the competition level (competitive delivery order) impact the value received by taxpayers for this contract?

A competitive delivery order generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price discovery and encouraging efficiency. Even if awarded under a pre-existing IDIQ contract, the solicitation and evaluation of multiple proposals for the delivery order itself mean that contractors must offer competitive pricing and technical solutions to win the work. This competitive pressure helps ensure that the government is not overpaying for the services rendered. The alternative, a sole-source award, often carries a higher risk of inflated pricing due to the lack of direct competition. Therefore, the 'full-and-open' competitive nature of this delivery order suggests that taxpayers are likely receiving fair market value, or better, for the IT technical support services procured.

What are the potential implications of this contract for the National Children's Study program's effectiveness?

Reliable and robust IT technical support is critical for the success of large-scale research initiatives like the National Children's Study. This contract ensures that the study has the necessary technological infrastructure and expertise to manage, store, and analyze vast amounts of sensitive data collected over potentially many years. Effective IT support can prevent data loss, ensure system uptime, facilitate collaboration among researchers, and enable timely analysis, all of which directly contribute to the study's scientific validity and the timely dissemination of its findings. Conversely, inadequate IT support could lead to data integrity issues, delays in research progress, and ultimately compromise the study's overall effectiveness and impact.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (UEI: 964725688)

Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DR # 700, MC LEAN, VA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,871,028

Exercised Options: $15,871,028

Current Obligation: $15,871,028

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0306J

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline