VA awards $30.6M for IT training and competency models to Booz Allen Hamilton

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,609,493 ($30.6M)

Contractor: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2013-04-05

End Date: 2015-04-04

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $42.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS FOR TRAINING SUPPORT TO OIT STAFF AND DEVELOPMENT OF COMPENTANCY MODELS FOR OIT STAFF. IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: FALLING WATERS, BERKELEY County, WEST VIRGINIA, 25419

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $30.6 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC for work described as: PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS FOR TRAINING SUPPORT TO OIT STAFF AND DEVELOPMENT OF COMPENTANCY MODELS FOR OIT STAFF. IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract value of $30.6 million over two years indicates significant investment in workforce development. 3. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty for the government. 4. The focus on training and competency models suggests a strategic effort to enhance IT staff capabilities. 5. Awarded to a single contractor, Booz Allen Hamilton, a large and established firm. 6. The contract duration of 729 days (approximately 2 years) allows for sustained support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $30.6 million for IT training and competency model development appears reasonable given the scope and duration. While direct comparisons are difficult without specific benchmarks for similar comprehensive IT workforce development programs, Booz Allen Hamilton is a well-established contractor in this space. The firm-fixed-price structure provides a degree of cost control for the VA. Further analysis would require benchmarking against other large-scale government IT training initiatives.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competitive nature of the award process is a positive sign for price discovery and potentially achieving a fair market price. The VA sought to leverage the competitive landscape to secure the best value for its IT training needs.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and higher quality services, ensuring that government funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the IT staff within the VA's Office of Information and Technology (OIT), who will receive enhanced training and competency development. The services delivered include training support and the development of competency models, aimed at improving the skills and effectiveness of OIT personnel. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within the VA's operational centers, particularly where OIT staff are located. Workforce implications include upskilling existing IT personnel and potentially standardizing skill sets across the OIT department.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if competency models are highly proprietary.
Risk of training not aligning with evolving technological needs if not regularly updated.
Dependence on a single large contractor for critical workforce development.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable contractor with demonstrated experience in IT services and training.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Focus on competency models suggests a structured approach to skill development.
Full and open competition indicates a robust selection process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a significant segment of the IT services market. The federal government is a major consumer of these services, particularly for developing and maintaining complex IT infrastructures and supporting its workforce. Spending in this area is driven by the need for specialized expertise in areas like cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analytics, and IT workforce development. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large IT training and professional services contracts awarded by federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside for this contract. As a large contract awarded to a major prime contractor, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. However, the extent of small business subcontracting is not detailed in this summary. The focus on a large prime contractor might limit direct opportunities for small businesses to compete for the prime contract itself.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for Booz Allen Hamilton to deliver the specified training and competency models within the agreed budget. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements and performance reviews. The Inspector General's office for the VA would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Training Programs
IT Workforce Development Initiatives
Computer Systems Design Services
Government Contractor Performance Management
Department of Veterans Affairs IT Modernization

Risk Flags

Contract duration may be insufficient for full competency model integration.
Potential for training to become outdated if not continuously updated.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical workforce development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $30.6 million to BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC. PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS FOR TRAINING SUPPORT TO OIT STAFF AND DEVELOPMENT OF COMPENTANCY MODELS FOR OIT STAFF. IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-04-05. End: 2015-04-04.

What is the track record of Booz Allen Hamilton in delivering IT training and competency model development for federal agencies?

Booz Allen Hamilton has a long-standing and extensive track record of providing a wide range of professional services to the federal government, including IT consulting, systems engineering, and workforce development. They have supported numerous agencies in areas related to IT modernization, cybersecurity, and strategic planning. Their experience in developing competency models and delivering specialized training programs is well-documented through past contracts. While specific details for this VA contract's performance are not provided, their general reputation and history suggest a capacity to handle complex training and development initiatives. Benchmarking their past performance on similar contracts, if publicly available, would offer further insight into their reliability and effectiveness in this domain.

How does the $30.6 million contract value compare to similar IT training and competency development contracts awarded by the VA or other large federal agencies?

The $30.6 million contract value for two years of IT training and competency model development for the VA's OIT staff is a substantial investment. To benchmark this, one would need to compare it against other large-scale federal contracts focused on similar objectives. For instance, contracts for enterprise-wide IT professional development, cybersecurity training academies, or the creation of standardized IT competency frameworks across agencies like the Department of Defense or GSA could serve as comparators. Without access to a comprehensive database of such specific contracts and their values, a precise comparison is challenging. However, the amount suggests a significant scope, likely encompassing a broad range of IT disciplines and a considerable number of personnel within the VA's OIT.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract, and what are the potential risks associated with achieving them?

Key performance indicators for this contract would likely focus on the effectiveness and adoption of the developed competency models, the satisfaction levels of the trained staff, and measurable improvements in IT operational efficiency or skill proficiency. Examples could include the percentage of OIT staff certified against new competency models, post-training assessment scores, reduction in IT-related errors, or successful implementation of new technologies enabled by the training. Potential risks include the competency models becoming outdated quickly due to rapid technological change, resistance to adopting new models or training from staff, or the training content not adequately addressing emerging IT challenges. Ensuring continuous feedback loops and agile updates to the training and models would be crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern of the VA on IT training and competency development, and how does this contract fit into that pattern?

Analyzing the VA's historical spending on IT training and competency development would provide context for this $30.6 million award. Agencies often have recurring budgets for professional development and IT skill enhancement. This contract, awarded in 2013 for a two-year period, represents a significant, but potentially periodic, investment. It's possible that the VA has awarded similar or smaller contracts in previous years to address evolving IT needs. Understanding whether this represents an increase, decrease, or continuation of previous spending levels would require a review of the VA's IT budget allocations and contract awards over several fiscal years. The specific focus on 'competency models' might indicate a more strategic, long-term approach to workforce planning compared to ad-hoc training.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the VA's ability to manage and secure its IT infrastructure and data?

This contract aims to enhance the capabilities of the VA's OIT staff through training and competency development, which should positively impact the agency's ability to manage and secure its IT infrastructure and data. By ensuring staff possess up-to-date skills in areas like cybersecurity, system administration, and data management, the VA can better defend against threats, maintain system integrity, and ensure the availability of critical healthcare data. A well-trained workforce is a fundamental component of a robust IT security posture. Conversely, if the training is ineffective or the competency models are not aligned with current threats, it could leave vulnerabilities unaddressed, potentially increasing risks to sensitive veteran data and operational continuity.

Industry Classification

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

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

Address: 8283 GREENSBORO DR, MCLEAN, VA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,609,493

Exercised Options: $30,609,493

Current Obligation: $30,609,493

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $3,191,727

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: VA11811D1008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline