DOJ's DEA Spends $36.4M on Translation Services via BPA Call with Metlang LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $36,394 ($36.4K)
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: $933/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 $36,394.28 to METLANG LLC for work described as: TRANSLATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant spending on translation services highlights the critical need for multilingual support in law enforcement. 2. The sole provider, Metlang LLC, secured this contract, raising questions about potential competition. 3. The contract's value and duration suggest a substantial, ongoing requirement for these services. 4. Focus on Florida indicates a specific regional operational need for translation.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $36.4 million for a 1-month period is exceptionally high, especially given the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' status. Without a clear benchmark or competitive pricing, assessing value is difficult.
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 but was still not fully competed. This limited competition raises concerns about price discovery and potentially higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of full competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for translation services.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communication for law enforcement operations, potentially impacting case outcomes. Supports DEA's mission in areas with diverse linguistic populations. Potential for increased costs due to limited competition impacts overall federal budget efficiency.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- High contract value for short duration
- Lack of clear justification for sole-source award
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical operational need for translation services
- Supports law enforcement in diverse communities
Sector Analysis
The federal spending on translation and interpretation services (NAICS 541930) is substantial, driven by the need to communicate with diverse populations across various agencies. This contract represents a significant portion of spending within this niche sector.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis is needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation warrants further oversight to ensure the procurement process was justified and that taxpayer funds were used efficiently. A review of the justification for limited competition is recommended.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Drug Enforcement Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- High cost
- Short contract duration for high value
- Potential for vendor lock-in
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 $36,394.28 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 $36,394.28.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-12.
What is the justification for awarding this significant contract to a single provider without full competition?
The justification for awarding this contract to Metlang LLC without full competition is not provided in the data. Typically, such awards require a documented justification, such as a sole-source justification or a limited competition rationale, often citing unique capabilities or urgent needs. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the necessity and fairness of the procurement process.
How does the per-unit cost of these translation services compare to industry benchmarks or other federal contracts?
The provided data does not include per-unit cost details or allow for direct comparison to industry benchmarks. The contract is awarded based on 'LABOR HOURS,' but specific rates are not detailed. A comprehensive analysis would require access to the contract's rate structure and comparison with similar services procured competitively across the government.
What is the long-term strategy for ensuring cost-effective translation services beyond this single award?
The long-term strategy for ensuring cost-effective translation services is unclear from this single award. Given the high value and limited competition, the DEA should consider strategies like market research for future procurements, exploring multi-award IDIQs, or establishing clearer performance metrics to drive competition and efficiency in subsequent contract actions.
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: $36,394
Exercised Options: $36,394
Current Obligation: $36,394
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15DDHQ25A00000027
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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