DOJ's DEA Spends $36.4M on Translation Services via BPA Call with Metlang LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $36,409 ($36.4K)
Contractor: Metlang LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-02
End Date: 2026-05-11
Contract Duration: 39 days
Daily Burn Rate: $934/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: DANIA, BROWARD County, FLORIDA, 33004
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $36,408.8 to METLANG LLC for work described as: TRANSLATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant spending on translation services highlights the need for multilingual support in law enforcement. 2. The sole reliance on Metlang LLC raises questions about potential price inflation and lack of competitive pressure. 3. Contracting through a BPA call suggests a pre-negotiated framework, but the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' status is a concern. 4. The sector for professional services, particularly translation, is competitive, making this limited competition notable.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $36.4 million is substantial for translation services. Without a competitive benchmark or more details on the scope of work, it's difficult to assess if this represents fair pricing. The lack of competition is a primary driver of this assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it likely exceeded SAP thresholds. It was awarded as a BPA Call, suggesting it was placed against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement. The 'NOT COMPETED' status implies limited or no direct competition for this specific call, potentially leading to higher costs.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a contract of this size means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for translation services, as competitive bidding could drive down costs.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communication for law enforcement operations, potentially aiding investigations and court proceedings. Supports diverse communities by providing access to information and services in multiple languages. Highlights the growing need for language services in government agencies dealing with international or diverse domestic populations. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competitive bidding impacts overall agency budget efficiency.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of Competition
- Potential for Overpricing
- Limited Transparency
Positive Signals
- Essential Service Provided
- Supports Law Enforcement Mission
Sector Analysis
The professional, scientific, and technical services sector, which includes translation and interpretation, is vast. Government spending in this area is significant, driven by the need for specialized expertise. Benchmarks for translation services vary widely based on language, complexity, and volume.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in the competition or subcontracting for this contract. The award to Metlang LLC, without further information, does not provide insight into small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award being a BPA Call that was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' warrants further oversight to ensure the agency obtained fair value and that the procurement process was justified. Reviewing the justification for not competing is crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Drug Enforcement Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of Competition
- Potential for Sole-Source Award
- High Contract Value
- Limited Transparency on Pricing
- No Indication of Small Business Participation
Tags
translation-and-interpretation-services, department-of-justice, fl, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $36,408.8 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 $36,408.8.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-05-11.
What is the specific scope of work and service level expected under this $36.4M contract to justify the significant expenditure?
The provided data lacks specifics on the scope of work. A $36.4 million contract for translation services suggests a broad range of requirements, potentially including document translation, interpretation for interviews and court proceedings, and real-time translation for surveillance. Understanding the volume, languages, and urgency of these services is critical to assessing value.
What is the justification for not competing this contract, especially given its substantial value?
The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' status is a red flag. Agencies must provide a justification for non-competitive awards, often citing unique capabilities, urgent needs, or sole-source provider status. Without this justification, it's impossible to assess if the government received fair value or if competition was improperly avoided.
How does the pricing structure and per-unit cost compare to industry standards for similar translation services?
The data does not provide per-unit cost details or pricing structures. To assess effectiveness, a comparison with industry benchmarks for translation and interpretation services, considering factors like language pairs, service type (written vs. spoken), and turnaround time, would be necessary. The absence of this data hinders a thorough value assessment.
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: $36,409
Exercised Options: $36,409
Current Obligation: $36,409
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15DDHQ25A00000026
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-02
Current End Date: 2026-05-11
Potential End Date: 2026-05-11 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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