DoD's $22.5M Translation Services Contract Awarded to The Mission Essential Group, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,511,448 ($22.5M)
Contractor: THE Mission Essential Group, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-09-25
End Date: 2010-08-30
Contract Duration: 339 days
Daily Burn Rate: $66.4K/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 $22.5 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC for work described as: TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $22.5M for translation and interpretation services. 2. Awarded to The Mission Essential Group, LLC. 3. Services provided to the Department of the Army. 4. Procured under full and open competition. 5. Contract duration was 339 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract was a Cost Plus Award Fee type, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the specific award mechanism (Delivery Order) and contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) warrant scrutiny for cost efficiency.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for essential translation and interpretation services, with the cost efficiency dependent on effective performance and oversight.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communication for military operations. Supports understanding of foreign language materials. Facilitates interactions with local populations in operational areas.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Short contract duration (339 days) may indicate a need for ongoing services.
- No specific small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Provides essential mission support.
- Contract awarded to a single entity, potentially indicating specialized capabilities.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically translation and interpretation. Spending in this sector is driven by global operations and intelligence requirements.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to participate in subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) requires diligent oversight to ensure performance standards are met and costs are reasonable. The short duration suggests potential for repeated awards.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
- Short contract duration may indicate a lack of long-term strategic planning.
- No clear indication of small business participation.
- Need for robust oversight to manage performance and costs effectively.
Tags
translation-and-interpretation-services, department-of-defense, oh, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $22.5 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 $22.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-09-25. End: 2010-08-30.
What was the justification for using a Cost Plus Award Fee contract type for translation services, and how was performance measured to determine award fees?
Cost Plus Award Fee contracts are typically used when the scope of work is not precisely defined or when innovation is encouraged. For translation services, it might be used to incentivize high-quality, accurate, and timely delivery. The justification would likely stem from the critical nature of accurate translation in military operations. Performance measurement would involve metrics related to accuracy, timeliness, linguist qualifications, and responsiveness to mission needs, with award fees tied to exceeding baseline requirements.
Given the short contract duration, what is the likelihood of follow-on contracts for these translation services, and what is the potential long-term cost implication?
The short duration of 339 days strongly suggests that these translation services are ongoing and essential for the Department of the Army's operations. It is highly probable that follow-on contracts or extensions will be necessary to ensure continuity. The long-term cost implication could be significant, especially if subsequent contracts are also Cost Plus Award Fee or if competition becomes less robust over time. Continuous market research and strategic sourcing are crucial to manage these long-term costs.
How effectively did the full and open competition process ensure competitive pricing for these specialized translation services, considering the awardee?
While full and open competition theoretically ensures the best possible pricing, the effectiveness in this specific case depends on the number and quality of bids received. The Mission Essential Group, LLC being awarded the contract suggests they offered the best value. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for costs to fluctuate based on performance, which can sometimes obscure the true competitive pricing achieved. A post-award analysis of the final costs versus initial bids would provide a clearer picture of pricing effectiveness.
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: 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: $22,511,448
Exercised Options: $22,511,448
Current Obligation: $22,511,448
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: 2009-09-25
Current End Date: 2010-08-30
Potential End Date: 2010-08-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-04-13
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