DoD's $178M Translation Services Contract Awarded to Mission Essential Group Amidst Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $178,453,949 ($178.5M)
Contractor: THE Mission Essential Group, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2012-06-29
End Date: 2012-11-20
Contract Duration: 144 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.2M/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 $178.5 million to THE MISSION ESSENTIAL GROUP, LLC for work described as: TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $178.45 million for translation and interpretation services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risks include reliance on a single contractor for critical language support. 4. The IT sector is not directly applicable, but language services support various government functions.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which incentivizes contractor performance. The award amount of $178.45 million appears substantial for translation services, requiring careful monitoring of costs against performance metrics.
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. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing compared to sole-source or limited solicitations.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve service quality.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communication needs are met for military operations and diplomatic efforts. Supports personnel safety and mission success in diverse linguistic environments. Facilitates understanding and collaboration with international partners and local populations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
- Dependence on a single vendor for essential language capabilities.
- Geopolitical instability could increase demand and strain service capacity.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through a competitive process, likely ensuring fair pricing.
- Supports vital national security and foreign policy objectives.
- Contract duration allows for sustained support and relationship building.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional services, specifically translation and interpretation. Benchmarks for similar large-scale language service contracts would typically focus on per-language rates and overall contract value relative to the scope of services provided.
Small Business Impact
While the primary award went to The Mission Essential Group, LLC, it's common for large prime contractors to utilize small businesses for specialized language skills or regional support. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure performance targets are met and costs are managed effectively. Regular performance reviews and audits are crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost overruns due to Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
- Over-reliance on a single contractor for critical language support.
- Potential for service disruption if contractor faces operational challenges.
- Difficulty in scaling services rapidly in response to unforeseen geopolitical events.
Tags
translation-and-interpretation-services, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $178.5 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 $178.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-06-29. End: 2012-11-20.
What is the typical cost per hour or per word for translation and interpretation services in similar government contracts?
Benchmarking the per-unit cost for translation and interpretation services is complex due to varying languages, complexity, security clearances, and urgency. However, government-wide contract vehicles and historical data can provide ranges. For instance, rates can vary from $50-$200+ per hour for interpreters depending on skill level and language, and per-word rates for translation can range from $0.10-$0.50+.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Mission Essential Group's performance under this contract?
Key performance indicators likely include accuracy and timeliness of translations, interpreter availability and responsiveness, adherence to security protocols, and overall mission support effectiveness. The 'Award Fee' component suggests that performance against these KPIs directly impacts the contractor's fee, requiring clear metrics and regular government assessment.
How does the reliance on a single contractor for these services impact national security preparedness in unforeseen circumstances?
Sole-source reliance, even if initially awarded competitively, can pose a risk. In unforeseen circumstances (e.g., rapid escalation of conflict, natural disasters), the government might face challenges scaling up services or finding alternative providers quickly if the primary contractor is overwhelmed or faces its own operational issues. Maintaining a roster of pre-vetted alternative providers could mitigate this.
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: $295,731,452
Exercised Options: $295,731,452
Current Obligation: $178,453,949
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: 2012-06-29
Current End Date: 2012-11-20
Potential End Date: 2012-11-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-08-05
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