Agriculture Dept. Spends $16.5M on Interpretation Services via BPA Call to Ad Astra, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,538 ($16.5K)

Contractor: AD Astra, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-05-06

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $551/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20250

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $16,537.75 to AD ASTRA, INC. for work described as: INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Spending of $16.5M on interpretation services. 2. Contract awarded to Ad Astra, Inc. 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. Services are for the Agricultural Research Service. 5. Contract duration is 30 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $16.5M for a 30-day period appears high for interpretation services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for translation and interpretation is needed to assess if this pricing is competitive.

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. However, the high value for a short duration warrants scrutiny to ensure the pricing reflects market rates.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be impacted by potentially inflated pricing if the $16.5M value is not justified by market benchmarks for the services rendered over the 30-day period.

Public Impact

Ensures critical communication for agricultural research across language barriers. Supports diverse stakeholders, including international partners and non-English speaking communities. Facilitates the dissemination of vital agricultural information and findings.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 55 / 10

Warning Flags

High contract value for a short duration.
Lack of clear per-unit cost benchmark.

Positive Signals

Utilized full and open competition.
Supports essential research communication.

Sector Analysis

This spending falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically translation and interpretation. Benchmarks for similar services vary widely based on language, complexity, and duration, but $16.5M for 30 days is notable.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a BPA Call suggests an existing framework agreement, but the specific call's value and duration require oversight to ensure it aligns with agency needs and fair pricing.

Related Government Programs

Translation and Interpretation Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Agricultural Research Service Programs

Risk Flags

High cost for short duration.
Potential for uncompetitive pricing despite full and open competition.
Lack of detailed service scope.
No clear per-unit cost analysis provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $16,537.75 to AD ASTRA, INC.. INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AD ASTRA, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16,537.75.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-05-06.

What specific services are included in the $16.5M for 30 days of interpretation and translation?

The provided data specifies 'INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION SERVICES' but lacks granular detail on the types of languages, volume of work, or specific events covered. Understanding the scope is crucial for justifying the $16.5M expenditure over a 30-day period, especially given the high cost.

How does Ad Astra, Inc.'s pricing compare to other providers for similar services?

Without access to the competitive bids received during the full and open competition, it's difficult to definitively assess Ad Astra, Inc.'s pricing. However, the significant value for a short duration suggests a need for comparison against industry benchmarks and potentially other BPA holders to ensure cost-effectiveness.

What is the expected impact of these services on the Agricultural Research Service's mission effectiveness?

Effective interpretation and translation services are vital for the Agricultural Research Service to disseminate critical research findings, collaborate with international partners, and engage with diverse domestic stakeholders. This spending likely aims to enhance the reach and impact of agricultural science.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: AD Astra Inc.

Address: 8701 GEORGIA AVE STE 800, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,538

Exercised Options: $16,538

Current Obligation: $16,538

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1232SA24A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline