Treasury's IRS awards $252K BPA call for interpreting services to Ad Astra, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $252,143 ($252.1K)

Contractor: AD Astra, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2025-07-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $693/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OVER THE PHONE INTERPRETING SERVICES BPA: 2032H8-25-A-00035 CAS PROGRAM COORDINATION & SUPPORT SECTION

Place of Performance

Location: WALTHAM, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02451

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $252,142.98 to AD ASTRA, INC. for work described as: OVER THE PHONE INTERPRETING SERVICES BPA: 2032H8-25-A-00035 CAS PROGRAM COORDINATION & SUPPORT SECTION Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the firm-fixed-price contract type and the specialized nature of interpreting services. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. No specific risk indicators are immediately apparent from the provided data, but performance will be key. 4. This contract supports the IRS's need for language assistance, contributing to taxpayer service delivery. 5. The contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically translation and interpretation. 6. The BPA call structure allows for flexibility in task orders over its duration.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $252,000 over one year for interpreting services is within a reasonable range for specialized language support. As a BPA call, it leverages a pre-competed agreement, which can streamline acquisition and potentially offer better pricing than ad-hoc procurements. Benchmarking against similar contracts for interpreting services would provide a more precise value assessment, but the firm-fixed-price nature suggests cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The use of a BPA call suggests that the underlying Blanket Purchase Agreement was also competitively awarded.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified vendors, ensuring the government receives the best value for its spending.

Public Impact

Taxpayers who require language assistance to interact with the IRS will benefit from these interpreting services. The services delivered will facilitate communication between IRS personnel and individuals who speak languages other than English. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting IRS operations across various regions where language barriers exist. The contract supports the workforce by providing essential tools for effective communication and service delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess service quality.
The duration of the contract (364 days) is relatively short, which might lead to frequent re-competition and potential disruption if not managed well.
No information is provided on the specific languages to be interpreted, which could be a factor in service effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
The use of a BPA call suggests an efficient procurement method leveraging an existing framework agreement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under the Translation and Interpretation Services industry (NAICS code 541930). This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized expertise. The market for language services is competitive, with numerous providers ranging from small businesses to large corporations. Government spending in this area is driven by the need to serve diverse populations and comply with accessibility mandates.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this BPA call. While the underlying BPA might have provisions for small business subcontracting, this particular call does not appear to be directly aimed at small business set-asides. Further analysis of the parent BPA would be needed to understand broader small business implications.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the IRS program officials responsible for taxpayer services. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

IRS Taxpayer Assistance Programs
Federal Language Access Services
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules
Department of Justice Language Services

Risk Flags

Performance Risk: Quality and availability of interpreters.
Scope Creep Risk: Potential for expanding service needs beyond initial estimates.
Vendor Lock-in Risk: If the BPA is not re-competed effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $252,142.98 to AD ASTRA, INC.. OVER THE PHONE INTERPRETING SERVICES BPA: 2032H8-25-A-00035 CAS PROGRAM COORDINATION & SUPPORT SECTION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AD ASTRA, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Internal Revenue Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $252,142.98.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the track record of Ad Astra, Inc. in providing similar interpreting services to federal agencies?

Information regarding Ad Astra, Inc.'s specific track record with federal agencies for interpreting services is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any available client feedback. Federal procurement databases and agency performance rating systems (like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) would be the primary sources for this information. Understanding their experience with similar contract types (BPA calls, firm-fixed-price) and the scale of previous engagements is crucial for evaluating their capability to meet the IRS's needs effectively and reliably.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar interpreting services?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit pricing or detailed service descriptions to allow for a direct comparison to market rates. However, the contract is a BPA call under a firm-fixed-price structure, which implies that pricing was negotiated and deemed competitive at the time the underlying BPA was awarded. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare the rates for specific languages and service types (e.g., over-the-phone, in-person, translation) against industry standard pricing guides, other government contracts for similar services, and commercial offerings. The fact that it was awarded under full and open competition suggests that the pricing was likely competitive.

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

Potential risks include the quality and availability of interpreters, ensuring compliance with confidentiality requirements, and managing the scope of services effectively. Mitigation strategies are likely embedded within the BPA and the specific call's terms and conditions. The firm-fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overrun risks. The contracting officer and program managers are responsible for monitoring performance and addressing any issues that arise. The competitive award process itself serves as a risk mitigation tool by selecting a qualified vendor. However, specific performance metrics and quality assurance plans are critical for ongoing risk management.

How effective is this contract in supporting the IRS's mission of taxpayer assistance?

This contract is designed to enhance the IRS's mission by ensuring that taxpayers with limited English proficiency can access necessary services and information. Effective implementation means reducing communication barriers, improving taxpayer satisfaction, and ensuring equitable service delivery. The success of this contract hinges on the quality, responsiveness, and cultural competency of the interpreters provided by Ad Astra, Inc. Regular performance monitoring and feedback mechanisms are essential to gauge its effectiveness in facilitating taxpayer interactions and achieving the IRS's service goals.

What has been the historical spending pattern for interpreting services by the IRS or Treasury?

The provided data focuses on a single BPA call and does not offer historical spending patterns for interpreting services by the IRS or Treasury. To analyze historical spending, one would need to examine procurement data over several fiscal years, identifying all contracts awarded for similar services (translation, interpretation, language support). This would involve looking at total obligated amounts, contract types, awardees, and the specific programs or offices utilizing these services. Such an analysis would reveal trends, identify key vendors, and provide context for the current contract's value and scope.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: AD Astra Inc.

Address: 8701 GEORGIA AVE STE 808, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $252,143

Exercised Options: $252,143

Current Obligation: $252,143

Actual Outlays: $95,306

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 2032H825A00035

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline