ICE Foreign Language Services Contract Awarded to Lionbridge Global Solutions II Inc. for Over $5.3 Million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,324,459 ($5.3M)

Contractor: Lionbridge Global Solutions II Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-02-10

End Date: 2025-03-17

Contract Duration: 401 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ICE FOREIGN LANGUAGE SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20536

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $5.3 million to LIONBRIDGE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS II INC. for work described as: ICE FOREIGN LANGUAGE SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract provides essential translation and interpretation services for immigration and customs enforcement. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Duration of over a year indicates ongoing need for these specialized services. 4. The contract type is delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 5. Services are crucial for effective communication in diverse immigration scenarios. 6. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. highlights the operational area for these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without knowing the parent IDIQ contract's terms. However, the award amount of over $5.3 million for approximately 13 months of service suggests a significant investment in language support. Without access to the parent contract or comparable delivery orders, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The pricing structure, based on labor hours, allows for flexibility but requires diligent oversight to ensure efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The fact that it is a delivery order suggests it was likely competed as part of a broader IDIQ contract. The number of bidders for the parent IDIQ would provide a clearer picture of the competition level, but the 'full and open' designation for this specific order implies a robust initial competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

Immigrants and non-English speakers benefit from accurate communication with ICE officials. Translation and interpretation services facilitate smoother processing of immigration cases. Law enforcement and national security efforts are supported through clear communication. The workforce involved in delivering these language services gains employment opportunities. Operations within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area are directly supported.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if labor hours are not managed effectively.
Ensuring consistent quality across all translators and interpreters can be a challenge.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical language services may pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Services are essential for the core mission of ICE, indicating high demand and strategic importance.
The contract duration provides stability for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The translation and interpretation services sector is a critical component of government operations, particularly for agencies dealing with diverse populations. This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services category. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous providers ranging from small specialized firms to large global corporations. Government spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need for accurate and timely communication across various federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it's possible that small businesses participated in the bidding process for the parent IDIQ. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement or if subcontracting opportunities were mandated.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and the program office within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and invoice review are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics may not always be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security - Other Language Services
Federal Translation and Interpretation Services
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Operational Support

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting critical operations.
Risk of cost overruns due to labor hour contract type.
Ensuring consistent quality across diverse language needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $5.3 million to LIONBRIDGE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS II INC.. ICE FOREIGN LANGUAGE SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LIONBRIDGE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS II INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-10. End: 2025-03-17.

What is the historical spending pattern for ICE Foreign Language Services?

Analyzing historical spending for ICE Foreign Language Services requires accessing historical contract data for this specific service category. Without direct access to such data, we can infer that spending in this area is likely consistent given the ongoing nature of immigration enforcement and processing. Agencies like ICE consistently require translation and interpretation to interact with non-English speaking individuals. Fluctuations in spending could be tied to changes in immigration policy, increased border activity, or shifts in operational focus. A detailed historical analysis would involve aggregating data from similar contracts awarded over several fiscal years to identify trends, peak spending periods, and the average contract value for these essential services.

How does the per-unit cost of translation and interpretation services compare to market rates?

Determining the precise per-unit cost for translation and interpretation services under this contract is difficult without specific details on the labor categories, rates, and the volume of work performed. The contract is awarded on a labor hours basis (pt: LABOR HOURS), meaning payment is based on the time spent by personnel. To benchmark against market rates, one would need to compare the billed hourly rates for specific linguistic skills (e.g., Spanish interpreter, document translator) against industry surveys and publicly available pricing for similar government contracts. Factors like security clearances, specialized subject matter expertise, and geographic location can significantly influence these rates. A comprehensive comparison would involve analyzing multiple data points from similar federal awards and commercial service providers.

What is the track record of LIONBRIDGE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS II INC. with federal contracts?

LIONBRIDGE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS II INC. has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily within the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies requiring language services. Their track record generally indicates experience in providing translation, interpretation, and localization services. A thorough review of their contract history would involve examining past performance evaluations, any reported contract disputes or terminations, and the overall value and scope of previously awarded federal awards. This analysis helps assess their reliability, capacity, and ability to meet government requirements effectively. Information on their past performance is often available through federal procurement data systems.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract?

Potential risks associated with this contract include ensuring the quality and accuracy of translation and interpretation services, especially in high-stakes immigration and law enforcement contexts. There's also a risk of cost overruns if labor hours are not managed efficiently or if the scope of work expands unexpectedly. Dependence on a single contractor for critical language support could pose a risk if the contractor experiences performance issues or financial instability. Furthermore, maintaining consistent service delivery across different locations and time zones, particularly given the DC focus, requires robust contractor management. Ensuring compliance with data privacy and security regulations is also paramount.

How does this contract contribute to the overall mission of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement?

This contract is directly integral to the core mission of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by enabling effective communication with individuals who do not speak English. Accurate translation and interpretation are essential for conducting interviews, processing detainees, understanding testimony, and ensuring due process. Without these services, ICE's ability to enforce immigration laws, investigate transnational criminal organizations, and manage border security would be severely hampered. The contract supports ICE's operational effectiveness by bridging language barriers, thereby facilitating smoother interactions and more accurate information gathering.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 890 WINTER ST. SUITE 225, WALTHAM, MA, 02451

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,324,459

Exercised Options: $5,324,459

Current Obligation: $5,324,459

Actual Outlays: $5,323,994

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA19D007V

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline