DoD's $19.7M translation contract awarded to Mission Essential Group, LLC, with 6 bidders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,712,934 ($19.7M)

Contractor: THE Mission Essential Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-09-09

End Date: 2012-04-27

Contract Duration: 231 days

Daily Burn Rate: $85.3K/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 $19.7 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC for work described as: TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of translation and interpretation services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Potential risks include contractor performance and the need for accurate translation. 4. This contract supports critical military operations requiring linguistic support. 5. The IT and Professional Services sector sees significant spending on specialized linguistic support. 6. The contract was awarded as a delivery order under a larger IDIQ.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $19.7 million for translation and interpretation services appears to be within a reasonable range for the Department of Defense. Benchmarking against similar contracts for linguistic support indicates that this award is competitive. The cost-plus award fee structure allows for flexibility while incentivizing performance, suggesting a focus on value for money. The number of bidders also supports the notion of a fair price being 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 eligible and responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 6 bidders suggests a competitive environment for translation and interpretation services. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures that the government receives proposals from multiple qualified vendors, leading to potentially better pricing and service offerings.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down costs and ensured the selection of a high-quality service provider at a competitive price.

Public Impact

Military personnel requiring accurate and timely translation and interpretation services in operational environments. Enhanced communication capabilities for diplomatic and intelligence-gathering missions. Support for U.S. forces operating in diverse linguistic regions. Potential impact on the workforce of linguists and translators employed by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Ensuring the accuracy and cultural appropriateness of translations in sensitive military contexts.
Managing a large pool of linguists to meet fluctuating operational demands.
Maintaining security and confidentiality of sensitive information handled by translators.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition suggests a wide pool of qualified vendors.
The delivery order structure allows for task-specific requirements and performance monitoring.
The cost-plus award fee contract type incentivizes contractor performance and efficiency.

Sector Analysis

The market for translation and interpretation services is a significant segment within the broader professional services sector. Federal agencies, particularly those involved in national security and international affairs like the Department of Defense, are major consumers of these services. The demand is driven by the need for effective communication across language barriers in various operational, diplomatic, and intelligence contexts. Comparable spending benchmarks for linguistic support services often vary based on language complexity, security clearance requirements, and geographic location.

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. The nature of translation services often involves specialized skills that can be provided by smaller, niche firms. An 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 program management office within the Department of the Army. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and invoice review are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center
Intelligence Community Language Support Contracts
Department of State Translation Services
Federal Bureau of Investigation Language Services

Risk Flags

Potential for inaccurate translation impacting mission success.
Contractor's ability to maintain a sufficient pool of qualified linguists.
Ensuring data security and confidentiality of sensitive information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.7 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 $19.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-09. End: 2012-04-27.

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 linguistic services to various U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Defense. Their experience often spans complex operational environments requiring a broad range of languages and specialized terminology. Publicly available contract data indicates numerous awards for translation, interpretation, and linguist support across different branches of the military and intelligence agencies. While specific performance metrics are often proprietary, their continued awards suggest a generally satisfactory performance history. However, like any large contractor, they may have faced performance challenges or disputes on specific contracts, which would require a deeper dive into contract performance reports and any associated corrective actions.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar translation and interpretation services procured by the DoD?

The approximate $19.7 million value for this specific delivery order, awarded in 2011-2012, falls within the typical range for large-scale translation and interpretation support contracts. The DoD frequently procures these services through Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts, with individual delivery orders varying significantly based on scope, duration, and geographic requirements. For instance, similar contracts supporting deployed forces or intelligence analysis could range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars. The fact that this was awarded under full and open competition with 6 bidders suggests that the pricing achieved was likely competitive within the market at that time. Without direct access to the specific Statement of Work and the detailed pricing structure, a precise comparison is difficult, but the overall value appears commensurate with the expected services.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of translation and interpretation contract?

The primary risks associated with translation and interpretation contracts, particularly for the Department of Defense, are multifaceted. A significant risk is the potential for inaccurate or mistranslated information, which could have severe consequences in military operations, intelligence gathering, or diplomatic engagements. Ensuring the cultural nuance and context are correctly conveyed is also critical. Another risk involves the contractor's ability to recruit, vet, and retain qualified linguists, especially for rare languages or those requiring specific security clearances. Contractor performance management is key; failure to meet deadlines, provide adequate linguist coverage, or maintain required quality standards can disrupt operations. Furthermore, data security and the protection of classified or sensitive information handled by linguists present a constant risk that requires robust contractor protocols and government oversight.

How effective is the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type in ensuring value for money for translation services?

The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type is often employed for services where performance outcomes are critical and can be objectively measured, but precise cost control is challenging upfront. For translation and interpretation services, CPAF can be effective in ensuring value for money by incentivizing the contractor to perform exceptionally well. The 'cost-plus' portion covers allowable costs, while the 'award fee' is earned based on the government's assessment of the contractor's performance against predefined criteria. This structure encourages the contractor to not only manage costs but also to exceed basic performance expectations, such as accuracy, timeliness, and responsiveness. When well-defined performance metrics are established and rigorously evaluated, CPAF can lead to higher quality services and better overall value compared to fixed-price contracts where quality might be sacrificed to meet a price point.

What is the historical spending trend for translation and interpretation services within the Department of Defense?

Historical spending by the Department of Defense on translation and interpretation services has been substantial and generally increasing over the past two decades, particularly following operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The need for linguistic support in complex, multinational environments drove significant investment. Spending is often channeled through large IDIQ contracts that allow for task orders across various commands and operational theaters. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on global commitments and strategic priorities, the DoD consistently ranks as one of the largest federal buyers of these services. Trends indicate a move towards more sophisticated language technologies and integrated linguistic solutions, alongside traditional human linguist support. The overall budget allocation reflects the critical role these services play in national security and foreign policy objectives.

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: $19,712,934

Exercised Options: $19,712,934

Current Obligation: $19,712,934

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W911W407D0010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline