DoD's $197.8M Translation Services Contract Awarded to The Mission Essential Group, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $197,819,611 ($197.8M)
Contractor: THE Mission Essential Group, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-09-01
End Date: 2010-03-18
Contract Duration: 198 days
Daily Burn Rate: $999.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: NEW ALBANY, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43054
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $197.8 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC for work described as: TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant contract value for translation and interpretation services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risk associated with the cost-plus award fee contract type. 4. Services fall under professional, scientific, and technical services sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar CPAF contracts for translation services is necessary to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders participated. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is positive for taxpayers, as it aims to secure the best value through market forces.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communication needs are met for military operations. Supports personnel operating in diverse linguistic environments. Facilitates understanding and collaboration with international partners.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus award fee structure may incentivize higher costs.
- Contract duration and delivery order nature could lead to scope creep.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Services are mission-critical for the Department of Defense.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically translation and interpretation. Spending in this area is often driven by global operations and intelligence gathering.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of delivery orders under a larger contract requires diligent oversight to ensure task orders align with original scope and pricing. Award fee criteria should be rigorously evaluated.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost-plus award fee contract type.
- Potential for undefined scope in delivery orders.
- Lack of transparency on small business subcontracting.
- Contract awarded in 2009 with a short performance period, raising questions about long-term planning.
Tags
translation-and-interpretation-services, department-of-defense, oh, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $197.8 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC. TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES
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 (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $197.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-09-01. End: 2010-03-18.
What was the basis for the award fee structure and how were performance metrics defined to ensure fair and effective incentive alignment?
The award fee structure is typically based on pre-defined performance metrics and evaluation criteria outlined in the contract. These metrics aim to incentivize the contractor to exceed minimum performance standards. For this contract, understanding the specific criteria for the award fee and how they were measured is crucial to assessing if the fee truly reflected exceptional performance or simply met baseline expectations, thereby impacting overall value for money.
How did the full and open competition process ensure a competitive price for translation and interpretation services, given the cost-plus award fee structure?
While full and open competition is a strong indicator of competitive pricing, the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure introduces variability. The initial bid likely established a baseline cost estimate, but the final price is influenced by actual costs incurred plus an award fee based on performance. The competition's effectiveness in driving down the initial cost estimate and the rigor of oversight on allowable costs and award fee determination are key to ensuring taxpayer value.
What is the long-term strategic value of this contract for the Department of Defense's operational effectiveness and intelligence gathering capabilities?
This contract provides essential linguistic support, directly impacting the effectiveness of military operations, intelligence gathering, and diplomatic engagements. Reliable translation and interpretation services are critical for understanding foreign communications, interacting with local populations, and executing missions in diverse cultural and linguistic environments. The sustained availability of these services contributes to enhanced situational awareness and mission success.
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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: W911W405R0006
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4249 EASTON WAY, COLUMBUS, OH, 43219
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $197,819,762
Exercised Options: $197,819,762
Current Obligation: $197,819,611
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W911W407D0010
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-09-01
Current End Date: 2010-03-18
Potential End Date: 2010-03-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-04-20
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