DOJ's $2.47M Language Line Contract for Translation Services Awarded to Single Provider

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,470 ($2.5K)

Contractor: Language Line, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-30

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 E1 LANGUAGE LINE 93W QTR 4

Place of Performance

Location: MONTEREY, MONTEREY County, CALIFORNIA, 93940

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $2,470 to LANGUAGE LINE, LLC for work described as: FY26 E1 LANGUAGE LINE 93W QTR 4 Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the specialized nature of translation services, though benchmarking is crucial. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a sole-source or limited competition scenario, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators include reliance on a single provider and potential for service disruption if the contractor falters. 4. Performance context is tied to the critical need for accurate communication within the Federal Prison System. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the professional, scientific, and technical services category.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.47 million for translation and interpretation services is moderate. Without specific per-language or per-hour rates, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests a defined cost for the services. Benchmarking against industry standards for translation services, considering factors like language complexity and security clearance requirements for federal work, would be necessary to fully assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION'. However, the specific number of bidders or the details of the solicitation process are not available. If it was indeed fully competed, multiple bids would be expected, leading to competitive pricing. If only one bid was received or if the competition was otherwise limited in practice, it could suggest barriers to entry or a lack of market interest, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A fully open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down prices through market forces. If the competition was less robust than indicated, taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these essential services.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System will benefit from improved communication with staff and access to legal and administrative processes. Essential translation and interpretation services will be delivered, ensuring clarity in critical interactions. The geographic impact is nationwide, covering all facilities within the Federal Prison System. Workforce implications include the need for qualified linguists and potentially supporting administrative staff for the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases in future contract renewals if competition remains limited.
Risk of service quality degradation if contractor faces staffing or operational challenges.
Dependence on a single contractor could lead to vulnerabilities in service continuity.

Positive Signals

Ensures critical communication needs are met for a vulnerable population.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded under a potentially competitive process, suggesting an effort to secure reasonable pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on translation and interpretation. The market for these services is substantial, driven by government needs, global business, and legal requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar language services across various agencies, considering the volume and complexity of languages required.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best value through full and open competition, rather than specifically targeting small businesses. There is no information provided on subcontracting plans, so the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, though larger prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would include performance monitoring against contract requirements, service level agreements, and quality control processes. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics may not always be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

DOJ Translation Services
Federal Bureau of Prisons Contracts
Language Services for Government Agencies
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Language Services
Department of State Translation Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential lack of robust competition despite 'Full and Open' designation.
Dependence on a single provider for critical services.
Need for detailed performance metrics to ensure value for money.

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 4

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: 2026-09-30. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for translation and interpretation services within the Federal Prison System?

Analyzing historical spending requires access to detailed contract databases beyond the provided snippet. However, the Federal Prison System, like other large federal agencies, has a consistent need for translation and interpretation services due to the diverse linguistic backgrounds of the inmate population and staff. Spending in this category can fluctuate based on specific program needs, changes in inmate demographics, and the number of facilities requiring these services. Historically, such contracts are often awarded through competitive processes, but the duration and value can vary significantly. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to ascertain if the current $2.47 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending compared to previous periods. Trends might also show shifts towards specific language needs or technological integration in service delivery.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to market rates for similar translation services?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit costs (e.g., per word, per hour, per language). Therefore, a direct comparison to market rates is not possible with the given information. To perform this analysis, one would need to obtain the detailed pricing structure within the contract, such as rates for different languages, interpretation modalities (in-person, remote), and service types (written translation, consecutive/simultaneous interpretation). Market rates can vary widely based on language difficulty, translator qualifications, turnaround time, and geographic location. Benchmarking would involve comparing these specific rates against industry surveys, pricing from other government contracts, and commercial service provider price lists, while accounting for any government-specific requirements or volume discounts.

What is the track record of Language Line, LLC in providing services to the federal government?

Information regarding the specific track record of Language Line, LLC with the federal government, particularly the Department of Justice or the Federal Prison System, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on federal contracts. Language Line is a known provider in the language services industry, but their specific performance metrics, client satisfaction levels, and history of compliance with federal regulations would need to be investigated through government contract databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) and potentially past performance questionnaires. Understanding their experience with similar scale and complexity contracts is crucial for evaluating reliability.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on a single contractor for translation services within federal prisons?

Relying on a single contractor for critical translation and interpretation services within federal prisons presents several key risks. Firstly, there's a risk of service disruption due to contractor performance issues, financial instability, or unforeseen events (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics). This could severely impact inmate communication, legal proceedings, and facility operations. Secondly, a lack of competition can lead to complacency and potentially lower service quality over time, as the contractor may face less pressure to innovate or maintain high standards. Thirdly, price escalation in future contract renewals is a significant concern, as the government may have limited leverage to negotiate better terms if switching providers is costly and time-consuming. Finally, ensuring consistent quality and adherence to security protocols across all facilities can be more challenging with a single, potentially large, provider.

How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' designation align with the potential for a single awardee in this contract?

The designation 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' implies that the solicitation was made available to all responsible sources, and the contract was awarded based on the best value to the government, price and other factors considered. However, it is possible for a contract to be fully and open competed, yet result in a single awardee if only one offeror submits a compliant and acceptable proposal, or if one offeror's proposal is significantly superior to all others. This could occur if the requirements are highly specialized, if there are high barriers to entry for potential bidders, or if the solicitation process itself inadvertently favors a particular type of provider. While the designation suggests an intent for broad competition, the outcome of a single award warrants further investigation into the solicitation process and the market landscape to ensure true competition was achieved.

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