DOJ's DEA Spends $675K on Translation Services via BPA Call, Not Competed Under SAP
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $67,513 ($67.5K)
Contractor: Metlang LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-07
End Date: 2026-05-16
Contract Duration: 39 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/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 $67,512.54 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 contract was awarded to METLANG LLC, indicating a specific vendor relationship. 3. Lack of competition under SAP raises questions about potential cost savings and market reach. 4. The services are critical for DEA operations, particularly in areas with diverse linguistic needs.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's value of $675,125.54 for 39 labor hours appears high on a per-hour basis. Without more detailed tasking or comparison points, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing against similar contracts.
Cost Per Unit: $17,310.86 per hour (estimated based on total award and duration)
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded via a BPA Call. This suggests a limited competition environment, potentially impacting price discovery and the ability to secure the most cost-effective solution.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of full and open competition may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a more competitive bidding process.
Public Impact
Ensures effective communication for law enforcement investigations involving non-English speakers. Supports the DEA's mission in diverse communities across Florida. Facilitates accurate information exchange crucial for legal proceedings and intelligence gathering. Potential for increased costs due to limited competition impacts taxpayer funds.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- High per-unit cost
- Lack of detailed tasking for value assessment
Positive Signals
- Essential service for agency operations
- Supports critical law enforcement functions
Sector Analysis
The professional, scientific, and technical services sector, particularly translation and interpretation, is vital for government agencies operating in diverse environments. Benchmarks for such services can vary widely based on language, complexity, and urgency.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this specific contract award or if opportunities were provided to them. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made via a BPA Call, which typically has established oversight mechanisms. However, the lack of competition under SAP warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and effective use of funds.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Drug Enforcement Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Potentially high per-unit cost
- Lack of transparency in vendor selection
- Risk of inflated pricing over time
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 $67,512.54 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 $67,512.54.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-05-16.
What specific factors contributed to the high per-hour cost for these translation services, and were alternative vendors considered?
The high per-hour cost could be attributed to specialized language requirements, urgent turnaround times, or the specific expertise needed for sensitive law enforcement contexts. Without detailed tasking and a competitive bidding process, it's difficult to ascertain if alternative vendors could have offered better rates or if the current pricing reflects market norms for such specialized services.
How does the limited competition impact the DEA's ability to secure cost-effective translation solutions in the long term?
Limited competition can lead to vendor lock-in and reduced incentive for the awarded vendor to offer competitive pricing over time. This may result in higher sustained costs for the DEA and, consequently, for taxpayers. Exploring more competitive avenues for future contract renewals or expansions could yield better value.
What is the measurable impact of these translation services on the effectiveness of DEA investigations and operations?
Effective translation services are crucial for accurately gathering intelligence, interviewing witnesses, and building cases involving individuals who do not speak English. While difficult to quantify directly, the availability of these services likely prevents miscommunications, speeds up investigations, and ensures the integrity of evidence, thereby directly contributing to the overall effectiveness of DEA operations.
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: $67,513
Exercised Options: $67,513
Current Obligation: $67,513
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15DDHQ25A00000029
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-07
Current End Date: 2026-05-16
Potential End Date: 2026-05-16 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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