DoD Awards $43.18M Linguist Services Contract to The Mission Essential Group, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $43,180,011 ($43.2M)
Contractor: THE Mission Essential Group, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2015-07-31
End Date: 2017-09-14
Contract Duration: 776 days
Daily Burn Rate: $55.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF AFRICOM LINGUIST SERVICES CONTRACT AWARD
Place of Performance
Location: FORT BELVOIR, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22060
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $43.2 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF AFRICOM LINGUIST SERVICES CONTRACT AWARD Key points: 1. Contract awarded to The Mission Essential Group, LLC for linguist services. 2. The contract is valued at $43.18 million and spans over two years. 3. Services fall under Translation and Interpretation, a critical support function for defense operations. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. However, the fixed fee component provides some cost control.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust process to solicit bids from multiple qualified vendors. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayer funds are being utilized efficiently through a process designed to secure favorable pricing for essential linguist services.
Public Impact
Ensures critical language support for military operations, enhancing communication and intelligence gathering. Supports national security objectives by providing specialized linguistic capabilities. The contract's duration and value indicate a significant need for these services within the Department of Defense.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
- No small business participation noted, potentially missing opportunities for smaller enterprises.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
- Provides essential services for defense operations.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically translation and interpretation. Spending in this sector is crucial for intelligence, diplomacy, and operational support in diverse global environments.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business set-aside goals were considered or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), which is responsible for ensuring contractor performance and compliance. The CPFF contract type necessitates close monitoring of costs and performance.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical services.
- Ensuring consistent quality and security clearance of linguists.
Tags
translation-and-interpretation-services, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $43.2 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF AFRICOM LINGUIST SERVICES CONTRACT AWARD
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $43.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-07-31. End: 2017-09-14.
What is the typical cost benchmark for similar linguist services contracts within the DoD?
Benchmarking linguist services can be complex due to varying skill levels, languages, and operational requirements. However, typical rates can range significantly based on demand and security clearances. A detailed analysis comparing the per-hour or per-word rates against industry standards and historical DoD contracts would be necessary to assess cost-effectiveness definitively.
What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for linguist services?
CPFF contracts carry risks of cost overruns if the fixed fee is not adequately determined or if the contractor's costs escalate beyond projections. For linguist services, risks include potential for scope creep, difficulty in accurately estimating labor hours for unforeseen operational needs, and ensuring consistent quality across a dispersed workforce.
How effectively does this contract support the DoD's mission readiness and operational goals?
This contract directly supports mission readiness by providing essential language capabilities crucial for intelligence gathering, communication with local populations, and operational planning in diverse theaters. The long-term nature and significant value suggest a sustained requirement, indicating its importance to ongoing DoD operations and strategic objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Translation and Interpretation Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: W911W411R0003
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6525 W CAMPUS OVAL STE 101, NEW ALBANY, OH, 43054
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $55,005,115
Exercised Options: $55,005,115
Current Obligation: $43,180,011
Contract Characteristics
Consolidated Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W911W411D0007
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-07-31
Current End Date: 2017-09-14
Potential End Date: 2018-09-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-11-16
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