DOJ's DEA Spends $37.6M on Translation Services via BPA Call, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $37,587 ($37.6K)
Contractor: Metlang LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-03
End Date: 2026-05-12
Contract Duration: 39 days
Daily Burn Rate: $964/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: LOS ANGELES, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90012
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $37,586.92 to METLANG LLC for work described as: TRANSLATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant spending on translation services highlights a critical operational need. 2. The contract was not competed under SAP, raising questions about price discovery. 3. Reliance on a single BPA call may limit competitive pressure and potentially increase costs. 4. The services fall under professional, scientific, and technical services sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's value of $37.6 million is substantial for translation services. Without a competitive benchmark or detailed cost breakdown, assessing its value for money is difficult. The lack of competition under SAP suggests potential overpricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded via a BPA call and explicitly stated as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This indicates a limited competition approach, likely relying on pre-existing contract vehicles without further solicitation. This method can expedite procurement but may sacrifice optimal price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of full and open competition on a $37.6 million contract raises concerns about taxpayer dollars being used efficiently. Without competitive bidding, the government may be paying more than necessary for these essential services.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communication for law enforcement operations, particularly in diverse communities. Supports DEA's mission by overcoming language barriers in investigations and prosecutions. Potential for increased costs due to limited competition impacts overall budget allocation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Limited transparency in award process
Positive Signals
- Essential service provision
- Supports critical agency mission
Sector Analysis
The $37.6 million award falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically translation and interpretation. Benchmarks for similar large-scale translation contracts are highly variable, but this amount suggests a significant, ongoing need.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement. The limited competition approach may have excluded potential small business providers.
Oversight & Accountability
The award method ('NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP') suggests that standard oversight procedures for competitive bidding may not have been fully applied. Further review of the justification for limited competition is warranted.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Drug Enforcement Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency in award justification
- Dependence on a single provider via BPA call
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 $37,586.92 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 $37,586.92.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-12.
What was the specific justification for not competing this contract under SAP, given its significant value?
The justification for not competing under SAP is not provided in the data. Typically, agencies might cite urgency, unique capabilities, or existing contract vehicles. However, for a $37.6 million award, a robust justification is expected to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential waste.
How does the pricing of this contract compare to market rates for similar translation services, considering the limited competition?
Without access to the specific rates or a competitive benchmark, a direct comparison is impossible. However, limited competition generally leads to higher prices than fully competed contracts. An independent analysis of the labor hours and rates against industry standards would be necessary to assess fairness.
What is the potential risk to DEA operations if this sole-source or limited-source provider faces performance issues or ceases operations?
The risk is significant. If the provider, METLANG LLC, faces performance issues or ceases operations, the DEA could experience critical disruptions in communication, potentially impacting ongoing investigations, prosecutions, and intelligence gathering. Contingency planning and robust performance monitoring are crucial.
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: $37,587
Exercised Options: $37,587
Current Obligation: $37,587
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15DDHQ25A00000023
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-03
Current End Date: 2026-05-12
Potential End Date: 2026-05-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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