EOP's $104K Translation Services Contract Awarded to Valbin Corporation via BPA Call

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $104,055 ($104.1K)

Contractor: Valbin Corporation

Awarding Agency: Executive Office of the President

Start Date: 2022-08-11

End Date: 2023-09-02

Contract Duration: 387 days

Daily Burn Rate: $269/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRANSLATION/INTERPRETATION SERVICES-USMCA LABOR OFFICE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20503

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Executive Office of the President obligated $104,054.96 to VALBIN CORPORATION for work described as: TRANSLATION/INTERPRETATION SERVICES-USMCA LABOR OFFICE Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating clear cost expectations. 2. The contract was not competed under simplified acquisition procedures, suggesting potential for better pricing through broader competition. 3. Awarded via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, which can streamline procurement but may limit initial price discovery. 4. The duration of 387 days suggests a need for ongoing translation and interpretation services. 5. The contractor, Valbin Corporation, has secured this award, but its track record for similar services warrants further examination. 6. The contract's value is relatively small in the context of federal spending, but its necessity for the USMCA Labor Office is clear.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $104,054.96 for translation and interpretation services appears reasonable for the specified period and scope. However, without direct comparable contracts for similar services within the Executive Office of the President (EOP) or specifically for the USMCA Labor Office, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the lack of open competition may have resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a more competitive bidding process. Benchmarking against market rates for translation services would be beneficial.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded via a BPA Call, which is a mechanism for fulfilling orders under an existing agreement. The data indicates it was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' suggesting it was not subject to the standard simplified acquisition procedures that encourage broader competition for smaller dollar amounts. The specific competition details for the BPA itself are not provided, but the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation implies that the competition for this specific call order might have been limited, potentially to pre-qualified vendors on the BPA. This approach can expedite service delivery but may not always yield the most competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition can mean taxpayers may not be receiving the lowest possible price for these essential translation services. A more open bidding process could have driven down costs.

Public Impact

Provides essential translation and interpretation services to the USMCA Labor Office, facilitating communication and understanding of labor agreements. Supports the operational needs of the Executive Office of the President, ensuring effective engagement with international labor stakeholders. Benefits the USMCA Labor Office by enabling clear communication across language barriers. The services delivered are critical for diplomatic and administrative functions related to international labor agreements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may have led to suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes assessing service quality difficult.
The specific nature of 'translation and interpretation services' can be highly variable in quality and cost.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the agency.
Awarded through a BPA Call, which can offer efficiency in procurement for recurring needs.
Services are directly tied to the operational requirements of the USMCA Labor Office.

Sector Analysis

The market for translation and interpretation services is diverse, encompassing a wide range of providers from small specialized firms to large multinational corporations. Federal agencies frequently procure these services to support international relations, legal proceedings, and diverse workforces. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for accurate and timely communication across language barriers. While this specific contract is relatively small, it represents a segment of the broader federal spending on professional services, which can total billions annually across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside or if Valbin Corporation is a small business. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem cannot be determined from this information. Further investigation into the contractor's size and subcontracting plans would be necessary to assess any implications for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Executive Office of the President's internal procurement and financial management controls. As a BPA Call, the underlying BPA agreement likely has its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is moderate, as the award is publicly reported, but detailed performance metrics and justification for the limited competition are not readily available. Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the specific IG's mandate within the EOP.

Related Government Programs

Federal Government Translation Services
USMCA Implementation
Executive Office of the President Contracts
Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential for Overpricing
Performance Risk
Data Security Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Executive Office of the President awarded $104,054.96 to VALBIN CORPORATION. TRANSLATION/INTERPRETATION SERVICES-USMCA LABOR OFFICE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VALBIN CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Executive Office of the President (Executive Office of the President).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $104,054.96.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-11. End: 2023-09-02.

What is Valbin Corporation's track record with federal translation and interpretation contracts?

Valbin Corporation has a history of securing federal contracts, including those for translation and interpretation services. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts awarded by various federal agencies can provide insight into their reliability, quality of service, and pricing competitiveness. Federal procurement databases often contain past performance information, which can be reviewed to identify any patterns of success or challenges. For this specific contract, understanding if they have previously served the USMCA Labor Office or similar entities within the EOP would be particularly relevant. A review of contract close-out reports and any associated performance evaluations would offer a more comprehensive picture of their capabilities and adherence to contract terms.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar federal translation services?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $104,054.96 contract against similar federal translation and interpretation services is challenging without access to detailed comparative data. Factors such as the specific languages supported, the type of interpretation (e.g., simultaneous, consecutive), the required turnaround time, and the security clearance levels for translators can significantly influence costs. Generally, contracts awarded through full and open competition tend to offer better price discovery. Since this was a BPA Call and not competed under SAP, it's possible the pricing is not as competitive as it could be. A thorough analysis would involve comparing the per-word or per-hour rates with other federal contracts for comparable services, considering the agency, scope, and duration.

What are the primary risks associated with this translation services contract?

Key risks associated with this contract include potential quality issues with translation and interpretation, leading to misunderstandings or errors in critical communications. Another risk is related to contractor performance, such as delays in service delivery or failure to meet deadlines, which could disrupt the operations of the USMCA Labor Office. Given that the contract was not competed under SAP and awarded via a BPA Call, there's a risk of suboptimal pricing, meaning taxpayers may be overpaying for the services. Ensuring data security and confidentiality of sensitive information handled by translators is also a critical risk area. Finally, reliance on a single contractor through a BPA call could pose a risk if the contractor experiences performance issues or financial instability.

How effective is the USMCA Labor Office in leveraging translation services for its mission?

The effectiveness of the USMCA Labor Office in leveraging these translation services is directly tied to the quality and timeliness of the services provided by Valbin Corporation. If the services enable seamless communication with stakeholders, facilitate accurate understanding of labor agreements, and support diplomatic efforts, then they are highly effective. Conversely, if there are language barriers that impede operations or lead to misinterpretations, the effectiveness is diminished. The contract's duration and value suggest a consistent need, implying that these services are integral to the office's ongoing mission. A formal assessment of the office's use of these services and their impact on achieving mission objectives would provide a clearer picture of effectiveness.

What are the historical spending patterns for translation and interpretation services within the Executive Office of the President?

Historical spending patterns for translation and interpretation services within the Executive Office of the President (EOP) can vary significantly year over year, influenced by the specific needs and international engagements of the administration. While this particular contract is for $104,054.96, other EOP components or related offices might have larger or smaller contracts for similar services. Analyzing historical data from federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for the EOP and its sub-agencies can reveal trends in spending, common contractors, and the typical contract types (e.g., competitive vs. sole-source). This context helps in evaluating whether the current spending level is consistent with past requirements and market conditions.

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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4800 HAMPDEN LN STE 320, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $104,055

Exercised Options: $104,055

Current Obligation: $104,055

Actual Outlays: $104,055

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 11316021A0010EOP

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline