DOJ awards $42.2M language services contract to SOS International LLC for EOIR operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $42,203,154 ($42.2M)

Contractor: SOS International LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2021-09-01

End Date: 2022-08-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $115.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SOS INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICES FOR EOIR

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20191

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $42.2 million to SOS INTERNATIONAL LLC for work described as: SOS INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICES FOR EOIR Key points: 1. Contract provides critical translation and interpretation services for the Executive Office for Immigration Review. 2. SOS International LLC, a Virginia-based firm, secured this contract. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. Services are essential for ensuring due process and understanding in immigration proceedings. 5. The contract duration is one year, with a firm-fixed-price structure. 6. This award represents a significant investment in language support for a key justice agency.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $42.2 million for a one-year period for translation and interpretation services appears reasonable given the critical nature of immigration proceedings and the need for accurate language support. Benchmarking against similar large-scale language service contracts for federal agencies suggests this pricing is within expected ranges, especially considering the specialized skills and security clearances potentially required. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely solicited and had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to drive price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive pricing. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method of award suggests a robust selection process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and higher quality services, ensuring government funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Immigrants and asylum seekers benefit from accurate interpretation and translation, ensuring they can understand proceedings and present their cases effectively. The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) benefits from reliable language services, enabling efficient case processing and adjudication. The contract supports legal professionals, judges, and administrative staff within EOIR by removing language barriers. Geographic impact is nationwide, as EOIR operates across various immigration courts and offices. Workforce implications include the need for qualified interpreters and translators, potentially creating employment opportunities in this specialized field.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single vendor for a critical service.
Ensuring consistent quality and accuracy across all interpretation and translation services.
Managing potential fluctuations in demand for specific languages.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Supports a critical government function with significant public impact.

Sector Analysis

The market for translation and interpretation services is substantial, driven by government needs, global business, and diverse populations. Federal agencies, particularly those involved in law enforcement, immigration, and international affairs, are significant consumers of these services. This contract fits within the broader professional services sector, specifically catering to the unique demands of legal and governmental contexts. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar language support contracts can vary widely based on scope, duration, and specialization.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. While SOS International LLC is a private company, the contract details do not specify any subcontracting requirements or goals for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are participating in the subcontracting chain for this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) would have oversight jurisdiction over this contract, ensuring compliance with terms and conditions and investigating any potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Standard contract management and performance monitoring processes by the contracting agency are expected to ensure accountability and transparency. Publicly available contract data provides a degree of transparency regarding the award.

Related Government Programs

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Language Services
Department of State - Translation Services
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Language Services
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Language Support

Risk Flags

Performance Risk
Quality Control Risk
Scalability Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $42.2 million to SOS INTERNATIONAL LLC. SOS INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICES FOR EOIR

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 $42.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-01. End: 2022-08-31.

What is the track record of SOS International LLC in providing language services to federal agencies?

SOS International LLC has a history of providing language services to various U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of State, and intelligence community. Their experience often includes translation, interpretation, and linguistic support in complex and sensitive environments. While specific performance metrics for this particular contract are not detailed in the provided data, their established presence in the federal contracting space suggests a capacity to handle large-scale language requirements. Further review of past performance evaluations and contract awards would offer a more comprehensive understanding of their track record.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar language services contracts awarded by the DOJ or other agencies?

The $42.2 million award for a one-year period for translation and interpretation services for EOIR is a substantial contract. Federal agencies often require extensive language support due to diverse populations and international interactions. Contracts for similar services, especially those involving high-security clearances or specialized linguistic skills for agencies like the FBI, DHS, or the Department of State, can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The value appears consistent with the scale and criticality of EOIR's mission, which handles a high volume of immigration cases requiring accurate language interpretation and translation.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include ensuring the accuracy and quality of translation and interpretation, which is critical for legal proceedings. Inaccurate services could lead to miscarriages of justice. Another risk is the potential for contractor performance issues or failure to meet demand. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust quality assurance processes, performance monitoring by the agency, clear performance standards in the contract, and potentially penalties for non-performance. The firm-fixed-price nature also shifts some financial risk to the contractor. Ensuring adequate interpreter availability across numerous languages and locations is also a logistical challenge.

How effective is the current language support provided by this contract in facilitating EOIR's mission?

The effectiveness of the language support is crucial for EOIR's mission of adjudicating immigration cases efficiently and fairly. Accurate interpretation ensures non-English speakers understand proceedings and can present their cases effectively, upholding due process. Reliable translation of documents is also vital. While the provided data doesn't offer direct effectiveness metrics, the continued awarding of such contracts suggests a recognized need and perceived value. Performance evaluations and case processing times within EOIR, potentially influenced by language support, would be indicators of effectiveness.

What are the historical spending patterns for language services within the Department of Justice, specifically for EOIR?

Historical spending on language services within the Department of Justice, and particularly for EOIR, has likely been significant and potentially increasing due to evolving immigration policies and caseloads. Agencies like EOIR rely heavily on contracted linguistic services to manage a diverse clientele. While specific historical figures for this contract are not provided, it's reasonable to assume that similar or potentially larger contracts have been awarded in previous years to meet ongoing language support needs. Analyzing past contract awards and spending trends for EOIR and related DOJ components would reveal the trajectory of investment in these critical services.

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 DR STE 500, 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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $42,203,154

Exercised Options: $42,203,154

Current Obligation: $42,203,154

Actual Outlays: $42,206,492

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS20D00000366

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline