EPA awards $5.2M contract for translation and interpretation services to RIVA SOLUTIONS INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,238,713 ($5.2M)

Contractor: Riva Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2019-03-01

End Date: 2026-05-28

Contract Duration: 2,645 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: AS REQUIRED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER 13166, "IMPROVING ACCESS TO SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY, AND AS PART OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FEBRUARY 17, 2011, MEMORANDUM FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER (FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS RENEWED COMMITMENT TO LANGUAGE ACCESS OBLIGATIONS UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 13166), THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA),OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL (OGC), EXTERNAL CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLIANCE OFFICE (ECRCO) IS COMMITTED TO ESTABLISHING A VEHICLE FOR TRANSLATION, IN-PERSON INTERPRETATION, AND TELEPHONIC INTERPRETATION SERVICES TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR ALL EPA REGIONAL AND PROGRAM OFFICES. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE SERVICES WILL BETTER ENABLE COMMUNICATION WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT (LEP) INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND ITS TERRITORIES.

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $5.2 million to RIVA SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: AS REQUIRED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER 13166, "IMPROVING ACCESS TO SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY, AND AS PART OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FEBRUARY 17, 2011, MEMORANDUM FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER (FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS RENEWED COMMITMENT TO LANGUAGE ACCESS OB… Key points: 1. Contract aims to improve communication with Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals across EPA offices. 2. Services include translation, in-person interpretation, and telephonic interpretation. 3. Focus on fulfilling language access obligations under Executive Order 13166. 4. Contract duration extends to May 2026, indicating a long-term need. 5. RIVA SOLUTIONS INC is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 6. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.2 million over its period of performance appears reasonable for specialized translation and interpretation services, especially considering the broad scope across EPA regional and program offices. However, without specific benchmarks for per-language or per-service rates, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, carries inherent risks for cost overruns if not closely managed. Comparing this to similar government-wide contracts for language services would provide a clearer picture of its competitiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. The provided data does not specify the justification for this sole-source award. Typically, sole-source awards occur when only one vendor possesses the unique capability or qualification required for the service. The lack of competition means that the EPA did not benefit from a broader market solicitation, which could potentially lead to less favorable pricing or terms than if it had been competed.

Taxpayer Impact: A sole-source award limits opportunities for other businesses to compete for federal dollars and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitively awarded contract.

Public Impact

Individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) across the United States will benefit from improved access to EPA services and information. The contract facilitates essential communication services, including translation and interpretation, for all EPA regional and program offices. This initiative supports the EPA's commitment to civil rights and equitable service delivery. The services provided will help ensure that LEP individuals can fully participate in environmental decision-making processes and understand relevant regulations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
Time and Materials contract type introduces risk of cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess service quality and efficiency.
Geographic scope is nationwide, requiring robust logistical and quality control mechanisms for dispersed services.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for language access, aligning with federal mandates and promoting inclusivity.
Contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing requirement, allowing for potential relationship building and service refinement.
Focus on LEP individuals demonstrates a commitment to equitable service delivery and civil rights compliance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on translation and interpretation. The market for these services is diverse, encompassing numerous small and large businesses. Government spending in this area is driven by the need to comply with legal mandates for language access and to serve a diverse population. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) or agency-specific contracts for similar language services, often priced per word, per hour, or per project.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As a sole-source award, it is less likely to have been structured to specifically benefit small businesses through set-asides. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether RIVA SOLUTIONS INC, as the prime contractor, intends to subcontract any portion of the work to small businesses, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), specifically the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and the External Civil Rights Compliance Office (ECRCO), as they are the sponsoring offices. The contract's Time and Materials nature necessitates diligent oversight to monitor hours, costs, and deliverables to prevent scope creep and ensure adherence to the contract's objectives. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements and potentially through public contract databases, though specific oversight mechanisms are not detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

Federal Language Access Services
EPA Office of General Counsel Contracts
Executive Order 13166 Implementation
Civil Rights Compliance Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit competition and potentially increase costs.
Time and Materials contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data hinders assessment of service quality.
Nationwide service delivery requires robust management and quality control.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $5.2 million to RIVA SOLUTIONS INC. AS REQUIRED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER 13166, "IMPROVING ACCESS TO SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY, AND AS PART OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FEBRUARY 17, 2011, MEMORANDUM FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER (FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS RENEWED COMMITMENT TO LANGUAGE ACCESS OBLIGATIONS UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 13166), THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA),OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL (OGC), EXTERNAL CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLIANCE OFFICE (ECRCO) IS COMMITTED TO ESTABLISHING A VEHICLE FOR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RIVA SOLUTIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-03-01. End: 2026-05-28.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to RIVA SOLUTIONS INC?

The provided data does not specify the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are awarded when a specific vendor possesses unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or is the only responsible source capable of meeting the government's requirements. For this contract, the EPA's Office of General Counsel (OGC) and External Civil Rights Compliance Office (ECRCO) would have determined that RIVA SOLUTIONS INC was the only viable option. This could be due to specialized expertise in legal or environmental terminology translation, established relationships, or specific certifications required for language access services mandated by Executive Order 13166. Without further documentation from the EPA, the precise reason remains undisclosed in this dataset.

How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) compare to other government contracts for similar translation and interpretation services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are common for services where the extent or duration of the work cannot be predetermined. For translation and interpretation, T&M can be suitable for unpredictable demand or evolving project scopes. However, T&M contracts carry a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts because the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, plus a fixed fee or hourly rate. Government-wide contracts like GSA's MAS schedule often offer both fixed-price and T&M options for language services. Benchmarking would involve comparing RIVA SOLUTIONS INC's hourly rates for different language specialists and project managers against rates on similar T&M or fixed-price contracts awarded through competitive processes, considering factors like the languages offered, service complexity, and geographic coverage.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of these translation and interpretation services?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, for translation and interpretation services, typical KPIs would likely include accuracy rates (e.g., percentage of translations meeting quality standards), turnaround times for translation requests, availability of interpreters (e.g., response time for on-demand interpretation), customer satisfaction ratings from EPA offices and LEP individuals, and compliance with federal language access guidelines. Effective oversight by the EPA would involve tracking these metrics to ensure RIVA SOLUTIONS INC is meeting its contractual obligations and effectively facilitating communication for LEP individuals.

What is the historical spending pattern for translation and interpretation services at the EPA?

The provided data focuses on a single contract awarded in 2019. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze EPA's procurement data over several preceding years. This would involve identifying previous contracts for similar language services, their values, durations, award types (competitive vs. sole-source), and the contractors involved. Such an analysis would reveal whether this $5.2 million contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for these services. It would also highlight trends in how the EPA procures such services and whether there has been a shift towards or away from sole-source awards or specific contract types like T&M.

How does this contract align with the EPA's broader mission and strategic goals related to environmental justice and equitable access?

This contract directly aligns with the EPA's mission by addressing environmental justice and equitable access for all individuals, particularly those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Executive Order 13166 mandates federal agencies to provide meaningful access to their services for LEP persons. By ensuring translation and interpretation services are available across all regional and program offices, the EPA empowers LEP individuals to understand environmental information, participate in public consultations, and access agency programs and benefits. This facilitates a more inclusive and equitable approach to environmental protection, ensuring that language barriers do not impede individuals' rights or their ability to engage with the agency.

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 AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 68HERH19Q0008

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8000 WESTPARK DR STE 450, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,500,000

Exercised Options: $8,250,000

Current Obligation: $5,238,713

Actual Outlays: $4,240,198

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline