DoD's $548M Translation Services Contract Awarded to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $548,389,547 ($548.4M)
Contractor: THE Mission Essential Group, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-03-15
End Date: 2012-02-08
Contract Duration: 330 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.7M/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: LABOR
Place of Performance
Location: NEW ALBANY, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43054
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $548.4 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC for work described as: LABOR Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $548.4 million for translation and interpretation services. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can incentivize performance but requires careful oversight. 4. The services fall under the professional, scientific, and technical services sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $548.4 million is substantial for translation services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale language support contracts would be necessary to fully assess pricing, but the competitive award suggests a reasonable price discovery process.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple bidders participated. This method generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is positive for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price than a non-competitive procurement. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires monitoring to ensure costs remain controlled.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communication capabilities for military operations and personnel. Supports diverse language needs across various global deployments. Potential impact on the availability and quality of translation services in the market.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires robust performance monitoring.
- Potential for cost overruns if not managed effectively.
- Dependence on a single contractor for a critical service.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Significant contract value may indicate a well-defined need.
- Contract duration suggests a long-term requirement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically translation and interpretation. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on geopolitical events and defense needs. The value of this contract is high for this specific service category.
Small Business Impact
While this contract was awarded through full and open competition, there is no explicit indication of small business participation or subcontracting goals. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to compete or participate.
Oversight & Accountability
The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type necessitates strong oversight from the Department of the Army to ensure the contractor meets performance objectives and manages costs effectively. Regular audits and performance reviews are crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure
- High contract value
- Potential for contractor performance issues
- Dependence on a single entity for critical services
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 $548.4 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC. LABOR
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 $548.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-03-15. End: 2012-02-08.
What specific performance metrics are tied to the award fee in this Cost Plus Award Fee contract, and how are they measured to ensure value for money?
The performance metrics for the award fee are not detailed in the provided data. However, in a CPAF contract, these typically relate to factors like timeliness, accuracy, and responsiveness of translation services. The government's contracting officer is responsible for objectively measuring performance against pre-defined criteria and determining the award fee amount, ensuring alignment with mission requirements and taxpayer value.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for such a large volume of translation services, particularly in dynamic operational environments?
Risks include potential service disruptions if the contractor faces internal issues, a lack of surge capacity beyond contracted levels, and reduced leverage for the government in negotiating future services or addressing performance deficiencies. Dependence can also limit the adoption of new technologies or methodologies if the contractor is slow to adapt. Mitigation strategies often involve robust performance clauses and contingency planning.
How does the government ensure the quality and accuracy of translation services provided under this contract, given the critical nature of military communications?
Quality assurance is typically managed through a combination of methods: requiring specific certifications for translators, implementing independent quality reviews of translated materials, using government personnel to spot-check translations, and establishing clear performance standards within the contract. The award fee mechanism also incentivizes the contractor to maintain high-quality output to maximize their earnings.
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: $548,389,547
Exercised Options: $548,389,547
Current Obligation: $548,389,547
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: 2011-03-15
Current End Date: 2012-02-08
Potential End Date: 2012-02-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-09-09
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