NASA's $21.8M ASRS Contract Awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,882,543 ($21.9M)
Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2005-01-03
End Date: 2011-01-02
Contract Duration: 2,190 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: AVIATION SAFETY REPORTING SYSTEM (ASRS) AND RELATED SYSTEMS
Place of Performance
Location: MC LEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $21.9 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: AVIATION SAFETY REPORTING SYSTEM (ASRS) AND RELATED SYSTEMS Key points: 1. Contract value of $21.8M over 6 years. 2. Booz Allen Hamilton is the sole awardee. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 4. The sector is IT, specifically computing infrastructure and data processing. 5. Contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can incentivize performance but requires careful oversight.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Cost Plus Award Fee type, which can lead to costs exceeding initial estimates if not managed properly. Benchmarking against similar IT infrastructure contracts is difficult without more granular cost data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically allows for the widest range of potential bidders and can lead to better price discovery. However, the specific pricing structure (Cost Plus Award Fee) requires close monitoring to ensure value.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure, however, necessitates robust oversight to prevent cost overruns.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of critical aviation safety reporting systems. Supports data processing and web hosting for NASA's safety initiatives. Potential for innovation in computing infrastructure and data analysis. Impacts the aviation industry by providing a platform for safety data collection.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires strong performance monitoring.
- Potential for scope creep in IT services.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical systems.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Contract supports a vital safety program.
- Long-term contract provides stability for system operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically focusing on computing infrastructure, data processing, and web hosting. Spending in this area is substantial across government, with benchmarks varying widely based on service complexity and scale.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation would be needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates strong oversight from NASA to ensure contractor performance aligns with award criteria and taxpayer interests. Regular reviews and audits are crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires diligent oversight.
- Potential for cost overruns if performance incentives are not well-defined.
- Long contract duration may limit future flexibility.
- Reliance on a single awardee for critical IT services.
Tags
computing-infrastructure-providers-data-, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, va, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $21.9 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. AVIATION SAFETY REPORTING SYSTEM (ASRS) AND RELATED SYSTEMS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $21.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-01-03. End: 2011-01-02.
What specific performance metrics are used to determine award fees for Booz Allen Hamilton under this contract?
The specific performance metrics for award fees are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, for Cost Plus Award Fee contracts, these metrics are tied to objective and subjective evaluations of the contractor's performance against defined requirements, such as system uptime, data accuracy, response times, and successful implementation of upgrades or new features.
How does the Cost Plus Award Fee structure balance contractor incentive with cost control for taxpayers?
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure aims to incentivize contractor performance by allowing reimbursement of allowable costs plus a fee that is adjusted based on performance. This can encourage higher quality work. However, it requires robust government oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and that the award fee is earned through genuine value-added performance, not just meeting minimum requirements.
What is the potential risk of vendor lock-in given the long duration and specialized nature of the IT services provided?
There is a moderate risk of vendor lock-in due to the long contract duration (6 years) and the specialized nature of providing computing infrastructure and data processing for NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System. Transitioning to a new vendor could be complex and costly, potentially impacting system continuity and requiring significant knowledge transfer.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (UEI: 964725688)
Address: BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC., MC LEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $26,176,785
Exercised Options: $26,176,785
Current Obligation: $21,882,543
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-01-03
Current End Date: 2011-01-02
Potential End Date: 2011-01-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-03-20
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