DOJ's $56.2M Translation Services Contract with METLANG LLC Raises Concerns Over Competition and Value
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $56,201 ($56.2K)
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: $1.4K/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 $56,201.32 to METLANG LLC for work described as: TRANSLATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $56.2 million for translation services. 2. Sole-source award to METLANG LLC limits competitive pricing. 3. Lack of competition may lead to inflated costs and reduced service quality. 4. The contract falls under the 'Other' sector, lacking specific industry benchmarks.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's value of $56.2 million for translation services is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it is difficult to assess if this price is fair or if it represents a premium due to the lack of market pressure.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded via a BPA Call, indicating a limited competition approach. This method may not achieve the best possible pricing or service levels compared to a full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be overpaying for translation services due to the limited competition, potentially diverting funds from other critical law enforcement needs.
Public Impact
Essential language access services for law enforcement operations are being provided. Potential for increased costs impacts the budget of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The lack of transparency in the procurement process could erode public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Lack of price benchmark
- Potential for overpayment
Positive Signals
- Essential service provision
- Established BPA call mechanism
Sector Analysis
Translation services are crucial for government agencies interacting with diverse populations. Benchmarking is difficult without specific contract details, but the scale of this award suggests a significant operational need.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation is needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award method (BPA Call, not competed under SAP) warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and adherence to procurement regulations. Oversight is needed to confirm the necessity of this limited competition approach.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Drug Enforcement Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
- Lack of a clear price benchmark makes value assessment difficult.
- Absence of small business participation data.
- Potential for reduced service quality due to lack of competitive pressure.
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 $56,201.32 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 $56,201.32.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-12.
What is the justification for awarding this substantial translation services contract without full and open competition?
The justification for awarding this contract via a BPA Call without full and open competition needs to be thoroughly documented by the Department of Justice. Agencies typically cite specific circumstances, such as urgency, existing contract vehicles, or unique capabilities, to limit competition. Without this documentation, it's difficult to ascertain if the chosen procurement method truly served the government's best interest or if it bypassed opportunities for better value.
How does the per-unit cost of METLANG LLC's services compare to industry benchmarks for translation and interpretation?
Without specific details on the services rendered (e.g., per word, per hour, language pairs) and the negotiated rates within the BPA Call, a direct per-unit cost comparison to industry benchmarks is not possible. The absence of a competitive bidding process further complicates this assessment, as there is no market-driven price discovery to evaluate against. A detailed rate analysis would be required to determine cost-effectiveness.
What measures are in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of translation services provided by METLANG LLC under this contract?
The contract details do not specify quality assurance measures or performance metrics for METLANG LLC. Effective oversight would involve clear performance standards, regular quality reviews, and mechanisms for feedback and corrective action. Ensuring the accuracy and cultural appropriateness of translations is critical for the DEA's mission, and robust quality control processes are essential for contract effectiveness.
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: $56,201
Exercised Options: $56,201
Current Obligation: $56,201
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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