DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $2.47M for Translation Services via BPA Call under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,470 ($2.5K)
Contractor: Language Line, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-06-30
End Date: 2026-06-30
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FY26 E1 LANGUAGE LINE 93W QTR 3
Place of Performance
Location: MONTEREY, MONTEREY County, CALIFORNIA, 93940
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $2,470 to LANGUAGE LINE, LLC for work described as: FY26 E1 LANGUAGE LINE 93W QTR 3 Key points: 1. Spending is for essential translation and interpretation services for the Federal Prison System. 2. The contract was awarded via a BPA Call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 4. The contract value of $2.47M is moderate for specialized language services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award value of $2.47M for a one-year period appears reasonable given the specialized nature of translation and interpretation services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for language services would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition through a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. This method generally promotes competitive pricing by allowing all eligible vendors to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is expected to yield fair market prices, ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary translation services.
Public Impact
Ensures effective communication within correctional facilities, supporting inmate rights and operational efficiency. Supports diverse inmate populations by providing access to essential services in their preferred languages. Facilitates smoother interactions between staff, inmates, and external legal or medical professionals.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for increased demand impacting future pricing.
- Reliance on a single BPA call may limit immediate market visibility.
Positive Signals
- Utilizes a competitive procurement method.
- Supports critical operational needs of the Bureau of Prisons.
- Clear contract end date provides a review opportunity.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically translation and interpretation. Government spending in this area is driven by the need to serve diverse populations and comply with legal requirements for language access.
Small Business Impact
While the award was made under full and open competition, it is not specified if small businesses were prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a BPA Call suggests that the initial competition for the BPA itself was robust. Ongoing oversight would ensure service quality and adherence to contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for price increases in future contract periods.
- Limited visibility into specific service level agreements.
- Dependence on a single BPA call for service provision.
- Need for ongoing monitoring of vendor performance and service quality.
Tags
translation-and-interpretation-services, department-of-justice, ca, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $2,470 to LANGUAGE LINE, LLC. FY26 E1 LANGUAGE LINE 93W QTR 3
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LANGUAGE LINE, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2,470.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-06-30. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the historical spending on translation services by the Bureau of Prisons, and how does this award compare?
Historical spending data for translation services by the Bureau of Prisons is not provided in this dataset. A comprehensive review would involve analyzing past contract awards for similar services to identify trends in volume, pricing, and vendor performance. This comparison would help determine if the current $2.47M award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these critical services.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this translation service contract, and how will their achievement be measured?
The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, KPIs for translation services include accuracy rates, turnaround times for requests, and vendor responsiveness. The Bureau of Prisons would likely have defined metrics within the BPA Call to measure the vendor's performance, ensuring the quality and timeliness of interpretation and translation services are met.
Are there any potential risks associated with the vendor's ability to scale services if inmate populations or language needs increase significantly?
The risk of the vendor's inability to scale services depends on the specific terms of the BPA and the vendor's capacity. While full and open competition suggests a capable vendor was selected, a significant surge in demand could strain resources. The contract's structure and the agency's contingency planning would mitigate this risk, potentially through options for increased service levels or by having alternative vendors identified.
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: Teleperformance SE
Address: 1 LOWER RAGSDALE DR BLDG 2, MONTEREY, CA, 93940
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,470
Exercised Options: $2,470
Current Obligation: $2,470
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS21A00000132
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-06-30
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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