DOJ's DEA Spends $36.7M on Translation Services via BPA Call with METLANG LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,775 ($36.8K)

Contractor: Metlang LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-02-04

End Date: 2026-03-15

Contract Duration: 39 days

Daily Burn Rate: $943/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRANSLATION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: EAST LANSING, INGHAM County, MICHIGAN, 48826

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $36,775.06 to METLANG LLC for work described as: TRANSLATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $36.7M for translation services. 2. METLANG LLC is the sole provider under this BPA Call. 3. Potential risk associated with limited competition for essential services. 4. Spending falls within the professional services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $36.7M for translation services is substantial. Without a competitive benchmark or detailed cost breakdown, assessing its value against similar contracts is difficult. The pricing is based on labor hours, which can vary.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was not competed under SAP and was awarded as a BPA Call. The limited competition raises concerns about whether the government received the best possible pricing and service.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of full and open competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these translation services.

Public Impact

Essential translation services for law enforcement operations. Impacts DEA's ability to communicate with non-English speakers. Potential for language barriers to hinder investigations or legal proceedings.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Lack of SAP competition
Sole provider under BPA Call

Positive Signals

Essential service provision
Clear contract end date

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically translation and interpretation. Benchmarks for similar services can vary widely based on language, complexity, and volume.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this specific contract award, as it was awarded to METLANG LLC without explicit mention of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made via a BPA Call, suggesting some level of pre-competed framework. However, the lack of further competition at the call level warrants oversight to ensure fair pricing and performance.

Related Government Programs

Translation and Interpretation Services
Department of Justice Contracting
Drug Enforcement Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for overpricing
Lack of transparency in award process
Quality assurance concerns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $36,775.06 to METLANG LLC. TRANSLATION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is METLANG LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $36,775.06.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-04. End: 2026-03-15.

What is the justification for awarding this translation service contract as a limited competition BPA Call instead of a fully competed action?

The justification for a limited competition BPA Call typically relates to urgency, specific expertise required, or the existence of a pre-established Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) that allows for specific calls. Without further details, it's unclear if these conditions were met or if a more competitive approach was overlooked.

How does the pricing structure (labor hours) for METLANG LLC compare to industry standards for translation services, considering the languages and complexity involved?

Assessing the pricing requires a detailed comparison against industry benchmarks for similar translation services, factoring in specific languages, subject matter expertise, and turnaround times. The current data lacks this granular detail, making a definitive comparison challenging. Further analysis of the labor hour rates against market data is needed.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the quality and accuracy of translation services provided by METLANG LLC, given the critical nature of law enforcement communications?

Quality assurance mechanisms typically include performance metrics, client feedback loops, and potentially independent review processes. The contract details should specify these quality controls. Ensuring accuracy is paramount, especially in legal and investigative contexts, and requires robust oversight.

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: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1815 GRIFFIN RD, DANIA, FL, 33004

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,775

Exercised Options: $36,775

Current Obligation: $36,775

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15DDHQ25A00000029

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline