SSA Awards Option Year 4 for Spanish-English Hearing Recordings & Transcripts to Translating Services, Inc. for $1.54M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $153,910 ($153.9K)
Contractor: Translating Services, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2026-05-10
End Date: 2027-05-09
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $423/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CALL ORDER FOR OPTION YEAR 4 FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE SPANISH TO ENGLISH HEARING RECORDINGS TRANSCRIPTS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA) OFFICE OF ANALYTICS, REVIEW, AND OVERSIGHT (OARO).
Place of Performance
Location: WOODLAND HILLS, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91364
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $153,910 to TRANSLATING SERVICES, INC. for work described as: CALL ORDER FOR OPTION YEAR 4 FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE SPANISH TO ENGLISH HEARING RECORDINGS TRANSCRIPTS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA) OFFICE OF ANALYTICS, REVIEW, AND OVERSIGHT (OARO). Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential translation services for SSA hearings. 2. Translating Services, Inc. is the incumbent contractor. 3. Potential risk of vendor lock-in if competition is not robust in future. 4. Spending falls within the Translation and Interpretation Services sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $1.54M for Option Year 4 appears reasonable given the duration and service type. Benchmarking against similar translation contracts for government agencies would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used efficiently through a competitive process for a necessary service.
Public Impact
Ensures accessibility for Spanish-speaking individuals interacting with the SSA. Supports the integrity and accuracy of official hearing records. Facilitates smoother administrative processes for the SSA's OARO.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Reliance on a single vendor for option years.
- Potential for cost increases in future option periods.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Provides critical language services.
- Clear contract end date.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Translation and Interpretation Services (NAICS 541930), a niche but vital sector for government agencies interacting with diverse populations. Spending benchmarks for similar services vary widely based on volume and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the incumbent is not listed as an SMB. Further analysis would be needed to determine if SMBs had an opportunity to compete or if this is a missed opportunity.
Oversight & Accountability
The Social Security Administration is responsible for oversight. The contract's performance will be monitored to ensure quality and adherence to terms, with potential for review during future procurements.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Incumbent contractor
- Option year award
- Potential for future sole-source if competition falters
- Lack of specific performance metrics provided
Tags
translation-and-interpretation-services, social-security-administration, ca, bpa-call, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $153,910 to TRANSLATING SERVICES, INC.. CALL ORDER FOR OPTION YEAR 4 FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE SPANISH TO ENGLISH HEARING RECORDINGS TRANSCRIPTS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA) OFFICE OF ANALYTICS, REVIEW, AND OVERSIGHT (OARO).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TRANSLATING SERVICES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $153,910.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-05-10. End: 2027-05-09.
What is the historical performance of Translating Services, Inc. on this contract?
Historical performance data for Translating Services, Inc. on this specific contract is not provided in the data. A thorough review would require accessing past performance evaluations and any documented issues or commendations related to their service delivery for the SSA's hearing recording and transcription needs.
Are there any identified risks associated with the translation accuracy and security of sensitive hearing information?
While not explicitly stated, risks related to translation accuracy and data security are inherent in such contracts. The SSA should have protocols in place to mitigate these risks, including quality assurance checks, data encryption, and strict confidentiality agreements with the contractor.
How does the pricing compare to market rates for similar translation services?
The provided data does not include specific per-unit costs or detailed pricing breakdowns to compare against market rates. A comprehensive analysis would involve benchmarking the contract's pricing against industry standards for Spanish-to-English transcription and translation services, considering factors like turnaround time and complexity.
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
Address: 22141 VENTURA BLVD STE 210, WOODLAND HILLS, CA, 91364
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $153,910
Exercised Options: $153,910
Current Obligation: $153,910
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321322A00040008
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-05-10
Current End Date: 2027-05-09
Potential End Date: 2027-05-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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