DoD's $27.5M translation contract with The Mission Essential Group, LLC awarded via full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,527,055 ($27.5M)

Contractor: THE Mission Essential Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-03-18

End Date: 2011-03-18

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $75.4K/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: FORT BELVOIR, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22060

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $27.5 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC for work described as: TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through cost-plus award fee structure, allowing for performance-based adjustments. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a robust market for translation services, with 6 bidders vying for this contract. 3. Risk indicators include reliance on a single awardee for critical language support. 4. Performance context is tied to the Army's need for timely and accurate interpretation in operational environments. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the professional services category supporting defense operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's cost-plus award fee (CPAF) structure incentivizes performance and cost control. While specific pricing details are not provided, the CPAF model generally aims for better value than fixed-price contracts when requirements are complex or uncertain. Benchmarking against similar translation and interpretation services contracts would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness, but the competitive award suggests a reasonable market price was achieved.

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 presence of 6 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition within the market for these specialized services. A competitive process like this typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that drives down costs and ensures the government receives the best value for its investment in translation and interpretation services.

Public Impact

Benefits military personnel and intelligence analysts by providing critical language support for operations. Delivers essential translation and interpretation services to facilitate communication in diverse operational theaters. Geographic impact is global, supporting missions wherever U.S. forces are deployed. Workforce implications include the need for skilled linguists and cultural advisors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single contractor for critical language capabilities.
Ensuring consistent quality and security across all deployed linguists.
Managing the complexities of a global workforce and diverse operational requirements.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a strong market.
Cost-plus award fee structure incentivizes performance and cost efficiency.
Contract duration allows for sustained support to ongoing operations.

Sector Analysis

The market for translation and interpretation services is substantial, driven by government needs for global operations and communication. This contract fits within the broader professional services sector, specifically supporting defense and intelligence functions. Comparable spending benchmarks in this niche are difficult to ascertain without more granular data, but the scale of this award suggests a significant requirement.

Small Business Impact

While this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside, the prime contractor may utilize small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the extent to which The Mission Essential Group, LLC integrates them into its service delivery, potentially providing valuable experience and revenue streams.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Department of the Army contracting officers and program managers responsible for the services. Accountability measures are embedded within the Cost Plus Award Fee structure, which ties a portion of the contractor's fee to performance metrics. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

Defense Language Interpretation and Translation Enterprise (DLITE)
Intelligence Community Language Services
Special Operations Command Language Support
Department of State Language Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance degradation if linguist quality is not consistently maintained.
Risk of security breaches or information compromise due to the sensitive nature of deployed operations.
Challenges in adapting to rapidly changing mission requirements and geographic deployments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $27.5 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 $27.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-03-18. End: 2011-03-18.

What is the track record of The Mission Essential Group, LLC in providing translation and interpretation services to the federal government?

The Mission Essential Group, LLC has a significant history of providing language and intelligence support services to various U.S. government agencies, particularly within the Department of Defense. Their experience often spans complex operational environments requiring linguists, translators, and cultural advisors. Prior contract performance, including any awards or penalties related to quality, timeliness, or cost, would be detailed in past performance evaluations used during the bidding process. While this specific contract award is for a defined period, the company's broader portfolio indicates a sustained presence and capability in this specialized field, suggesting a generally positive track record, though specific performance on individual contracts can vary.

How does the $27.5 million contract value compare to other federal spending on translation and interpretation services?

The $27.5 million contract value represents a substantial investment in translation and interpretation services, particularly for a single award over a defined period (likely one year given the start and end dates). Federal spending on these services is multifaceted, encompassing numerous contracts across various agencies like the Department of Defense, State Department, and intelligence agencies. While this figure is significant, it is part of a much larger ecosystem of language support. For context, larger enterprise-level contracts, such as the Defense Language Interpretation and Translation Enterprise (DLITE), have had ceiling values in the billions over multiple years. Therefore, while $27.5 million is a considerable sum for one contract, it is within the expected range for specialized, high-demand language support within a major agency like the Army.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of contract, and how are they mitigated?

Primary risks include ensuring the quality and reliability of linguists in high-stakes environments, maintaining security clearances, managing a potentially dispersed workforce, and adapting to evolving mission requirements. Mitigation strategies often involve rigorous vetting of personnel, robust quality assurance processes, performance-based incentives within the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure, and clear communication channels between the contractor and government oversight personnel. The CPAF model itself is a mitigation tool, as it allows for adjustments in fees based on performance, incentivizing the contractor to meet or exceed expectations while managing costs. Furthermore, the competitive award process helps ensure the selection of a capable and responsible contractor.

What is the expected effectiveness of these translation and interpretation services in supporting military operations?

The expected effectiveness is high, as these services are critical for enabling communication, intelligence gathering, and relationship-building in foreign operational theaters. Accurate and timely interpretation can directly impact mission success, troop safety, and diplomatic efforts. The contract's focus on translation and interpretation implies a direct support role for personnel who need to understand and be understood by local populations or allied forces. The effectiveness is contingent on the quality of the linguists provided, their cultural understanding, and the contractor's ability to deploy them rapidly and reliably to meet operational tempo. The Department of the Army's investment underscores the perceived necessity and expected high impact of these services.

How has federal spending on translation and interpretation services evolved over time, and where does this contract fit?

Federal spending on translation and interpretation services has generally increased over the past two decades, driven by expanded global engagements, counter-terrorism efforts, and a growing recognition of the importance of cultural and linguistic capabilities. Spending has shifted from fragmented, ad-hoc support to more consolidated, enterprise-level contracts designed to achieve economies of scale and standardize quality. This $27.5 million contract, awarded in 2010, fits within this trend of consolidating requirements under specific awards, likely serving a defined set of operational needs for the Army. It predates some of the larger, more comprehensive language support contracts but reflects the ongoing demand and strategic importance placed on linguistic support by the Department of Defense.

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: $27,527,055

Exercised Options: $27,527,055

Current Obligation: $27,527,055

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W911W407D0010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline