Department of Justice awards $68.9M interpreting services contract to SOS International LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $68,911,408 ($68.9M)

Contractor: SOS International LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2018-09-01

End Date: 2019-08-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $189.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SOS INTERNATIONAL IN-PERSON AND SCHEDULED TELEPHONIC INTERPRETING SERVICES CONTRACT # DJJ-15-C-2610

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20191

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $68.9 million to SOS INTERNATIONAL LLC for work described as: SOS INTERNATIONAL IN-PERSON AND SCHEDULED TELEPHONIC INTERPRETING SERVICES CONTRACT # DJJ-15-C-2610 Key points: 1. Contract provides essential translation and interpretation services, supporting critical government functions. 2. SOS International LLC, the sole awardee, has a history of providing similar services. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. Performance period spans one year, with a firm-fixed-price structure. 5. The contract value represents a significant investment in language access for the DOJ. 6. Analysis of per-unit costs against market benchmarks is crucial for assessing value. 7. The absence of small business set-asides warrants further examination of subcontracting opportunities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $68.9 million over one year for interpreting services is substantial. Without specific per-unit cost data or a direct comparison to similar contracts awarded by other agencies or within the DOJ for the same period, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, but the overall price needs to be benchmarked against market rates for translation and interpretation services to ensure it is competitive and represents good value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The government likely received multiple proposals, allowing for a selection based on a combination of factors, potentially including price, technical approach, and past performance.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it is expected to drive down costs through market forces and ensure the government receives the best possible value for its money.

Public Impact

Provides critical language access for individuals interacting with the Department of Justice, ensuring due process and effective communication. Supports various DOJ components, including law enforcement, immigration proceedings, and administrative hearings. Facilitates communication for a diverse range of individuals, potentially impacting communities nationwide. The services are essential for maintaining the integrity and accessibility of the justice system for non-English speakers. May indirectly support a workforce of interpreters and translators, both directly and indirectly.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific per-unit cost data makes it difficult to assess true cost-effectiveness.
The absence of small business participation details raises questions about broader economic impact.
Limited information on the specific types and volume of interpreting services required.
Potential for price creep if contract terms are not tightly managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant duration could pose supply chain risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
SOS International LLC has prior experience in providing similar services.
Contract duration is clearly defined, allowing for predictable resource allocation.
The contract addresses a clear and essential government need for language services.

Sector Analysis

The Translation and Interpretation Services sector (NAICS 541930) is a growing market driven by globalization, immigration, and increasing regulatory requirements for language access. Government agencies, particularly those involved in law enforcement, immigration, and public services, are significant consumers of these services. The market includes a mix of large corporations and smaller specialized firms. This contract represents a substantial portion of spending within this specific service category for the Department of Justice.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. While the awardee is SOS International LLC, information regarding their small business status or any subcontracting plans for small businesses is not readily available from the provided data. Further investigation into subcontracting opportunities would be beneficial to understand the extent to which small businesses are involved in fulfilling this contract and to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Justice. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver services at an agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award itself being a public record. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice - General Services
Department of Homeland Security - Translation Services
Federal Bureau of Investigation - Language Services
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Interpretation Services
Department of State - Diplomatic Language Services

Risk Flags

Potential for high cost without detailed per-unit analysis.
Concentration of risk with a single awardee.
Lack of transparency on small business subcontracting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $68.9 million to SOS INTERNATIONAL LLC. SOS INTERNATIONAL IN-PERSON AND SCHEDULED TELEPHONIC INTERPRETING SERVICES CONTRACT # DJJ-15-C-2610

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOS INTERNATIONAL LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $68.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-09-01. End: 2019-08-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for translation and interpretation services within the Department of Justice over the past five years?

Analyzing historical spending for translation and interpretation services within the Department of Justice (DOJ) over the past five years would provide crucial context for the $68.9 million award to SOS International LLC. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, the types of services procured (e.g., in-person, telephonic, translation of documents), and the primary awarding agencies or offices within the DOJ. Understanding whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending compared to previous years can indicate shifts in demand, policy changes, or the effectiveness of procurement strategies. For instance, a significant increase might suggest heightened enforcement activities or new language access mandates, while a decrease could point to efficiency gains or a shift towards different service delivery models. Benchmarking this award against historical data also helps in identifying potential outliers and assessing whether the current contract represents a fair market price over time.

How does the per-unit cost of services under this contract compare to similar contracts awarded by other federal agencies for translation and interpretation?

Comparing the per-unit cost of services under this contract to similar contracts awarded by other federal agencies is essential for evaluating value for money. Without specific per-unit data (e.g., cost per hour for an interpreter, cost per word for translation), this comparison is difficult. However, if such data were available, it would allow for benchmarking against rates paid by agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which also have significant language service needs. A higher per-unit cost could indicate less competitive bidding, higher overhead for the contractor, or specialized skill requirements. Conversely, a lower cost might suggest efficient operations or aggressive pricing due to strong competition. This benchmarking helps determine if the DOJ is obtaining services at a competitive market rate and identifies potential areas for cost savings in future procurements.

What is the track record of SOS International LLC in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly those involving sensitive or high-volume interpreting services?

Evaluating the track record of SOS International LLC in fulfilling federal contracts is critical for assessing performance risk. This involves examining past performance evaluations, any documented instances of contract disputes, timeliness of delivery, and the quality of services provided on previous government engagements. Specifically, for contracts involving sensitive or high-volume interpreting services, it's important to ascertain their experience with similar requirements, including adherence to security protocols, interpreter qualifications, and their ability to scale services to meet fluctuating demands. A history of successful contract completion with positive performance reviews would indicate a lower risk of performance issues. Conversely, a record marred by significant deficiencies, unresolved issues, or frequent disputes would raise concerns about their capacity to meet the DOJ's needs effectively and efficiently, potentially impacting program outcomes and taxpayer value.

What are the specific types and volume of interpreting services required under this contract, and how were these needs determined?

Understanding the specific types and volume of interpreting services required under this contract is fundamental to assessing its necessity and scope. This includes details on whether the services are primarily for in-person interpretation at hearings, telephonic interpretation for routine calls, or video remote interpretation (VRI). The volume, often measured in hours or number of interpretation events, dictates the overall cost and the contractor's resource allocation. Furthermore, knowing how these needs were determined—whether through historical usage data, projected increases in caseloads, or new policy requirements—sheds light on the contract's justification. If the needs were determined through robust analysis, it suggests the $68.9 million award is well-founded. However, if the determination process was less rigorous, there's a risk of over or under-procurement, impacting both cost-effectiveness and service availability for the DOJ's operations.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor, SOS International LLC, for such a significant interpreting services contract?

Relying on a single contractor, SOS International LLC, for a significant interpreting services contract like DJJ-15-C-2610 introduces several potential risks. Firstly, there's a risk of vendor lock-in, where the government may have limited leverage to negotiate better terms in the future due to the contractor's established position. Secondly, performance risk is concentrated; any failure by SOS International LLC to deliver adequate services, maintain interpreter quality, or meet deadlines could severely disrupt DOJ operations, impacting legal proceedings and public access. Thirdly, a sole-source reliance can stifle innovation and competition, potentially leading to higher prices over time compared to a multi-vendor environment. Finally, unforeseen events like financial instability or major operational issues within SOS International LLC could create an immediate service gap, requiring emergency procurement actions that are often more costly and less efficient.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1881 CAMPUS COMMONS DRIVE, RESTON, VA, 20191

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $68,911,408

Exercised Options: $68,911,408

Current Obligation: $68,911,408

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DJJ15C2610

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline