DoD's $27M translation contract with The Mission Essential Group, LLC awarded via full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,992,164 ($27.0M)
Contractor: THE Mission Essential Group, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-03-18
End Date: 2012-02-08
Contract Duration: 327 days
Daily Burn Rate: $82.5K/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 $27.0 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. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive market for translation services. 3. Contract duration of 327 days indicates a short-term need. 4. Performance context is within the Department of the Army's operational support. 5. Sector positioning is in professional services, specifically translation and interpretation.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure incentivizes performance while allowing for cost reimbursement. Benchmarking against similar translation and interpretation contracts is difficult without more granular data on service types and locations. However, the total award amount of approximately $27 million for a 327-day period suggests a significant operational requirement. The number of bids received (6) indicates a healthy level of interest from potential providers.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. Six bids were received, indicating a robust level of competition for this requirement. The competitive bidding process is expected to drive prices towards market rates and ensure the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive process, which aims to secure translation and interpretation services at the most advantageous prices possible.
Public Impact
Provides critical translation and interpretation services to support Department of the Army missions. Benefits military personnel and potentially allied forces requiring language support. Geographic impact is likely global, supporting overseas operations. Workforce implications include demand for skilled linguists and translators.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Award Fee contracts if not managed closely.
- Ensuring consistent quality and accuracy across all translation and interpretation services is crucial.
- Managing a geographically dispersed workforce of linguists can present logistical challenges.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and competitive process.
- The CPAF structure provides incentives for high performance.
- The contract supports essential military operations, indicating a clear need and impact.
Sector Analysis
The market for translation and interpretation services is substantial, driven by global business and government operations. This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically catering to the unique linguistic needs of defense agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large-scale government contracts for similar services, considering factors like language complexity, volume, and duration.
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, The Mission Essential Group, LLC, may utilize small businesses for subcontracting. Analysis of subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine the extent of small business participation and its impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Army. Performance monitoring, quality assurance surveillance plans, and regular reporting are standard accountability measures. 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)
- General Services Administration (GSA) Professional Services Schedule (PSS)
- Department of State Language Services
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts require diligent oversight to manage costs and ensure value.
- Ensuring consistent quality and accuracy of translation services is critical for mission success.
- Recruitment and retention of qualified linguists with necessary clearances can be a challenge.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, translation-services, interpretation-services, professional-services, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-award-fee, delivery-order, virginia, linguistic-support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $27.0 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 $27.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-03-18. End: 2012-02-08.
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 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, penalties, or contract modifications, would provide further insight into their capabilities and reliability. Reviewing past performance evaluations and any available debriefings from previous solicitations can offer a comprehensive understanding of their track record in delivering similar services under demanding conditions.
How does the pricing structure of this Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract compare to fixed-price contracts for similar services?
Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts, like this one, offer flexibility by reimbursing the contractor for allowable costs plus a fee that is earned based on performance against specific criteria. This contrasts with fixed-price contracts, which offer a set price regardless of actual costs incurred. CPAF can be advantageous when the scope of work is not fully defined or when performance incentives are desired. However, it carries a higher risk of cost growth if not managed diligently compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking requires comparing the total awarded amount (costs plus potential fee) against the scope and duration of services provided, considering the inherent risks and performance incentives.
What are the primary risks associated with providing translation and interpretation services in a military operational context?
Key risks in military translation and interpretation include ensuring the accuracy and cultural appropriateness of information, especially in high-stakes situations where miscommunication can have severe consequences. Maintaining the security and confidentiality of sensitive information is paramount. Furthermore, recruiting and retaining qualified linguists with the necessary security clearances and specialized knowledge for specific operational theaters can be challenging. Logistical complexities in deploying and supporting personnel in remote or hostile environments, along with potential health and safety risks for linguists, also represent significant concerns.
What is the typical duration and value range for similar translation and interpretation contracts awarded by the Department of Defense?
The duration and value of similar translation and interpretation contracts within the Department of Defense can vary widely based on the specific mission requirements, geographic scope, and duration of operations. Contracts can range from short-term, task-order-based awards for specific events or deployments to large, long-term enterprise contracts supporting ongoing global operations. Values can range from hundreds of thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars. This $27 million contract for a 327-day period appears to be a substantial award for a defined operational support requirement, falling within the mid-to-high range for contracts of this specific duration.
How does the number of bidders (6) in this full and open competition influence the potential for competitive pricing?
Receiving six bids in a full and open competition generally indicates a healthy level of market interest and a competitive environment. With multiple qualified vendors vying for the contract, there is a greater likelihood that bidders will submit more competitive pricing to secure the award. This increased competition can drive down costs for the government compared to situations with fewer bidders or sole-source awards. The government can leverage this competition to negotiate favorable terms and ensure it obtains services at a price reflective of market conditions and value.
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: $26,992,164
Exercised Options: $26,992,164
Current Obligation: $26,992,164
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: 2011-03-18
Current End Date: 2012-02-08
Potential End Date: 2012-02-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-09-20
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