DHS Awards $5.45M for Sign Language Interpretation Services to Stuart B. Consultants, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,450 ($5.4K)
Contractor: Stuart B. Consultants, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2023-09-29
End Date: 2024-09-28
Contract Duration: 365 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: THIS REQUISITION IS TO FUND THE BASE PERIOD OF THE PUBLIC DISABILITY ACCOMODATION (PDAP) SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION (SLI) SERVICES FOR VIDEO TASK ORDER.
Place of Performance
Location: SOUTH BURLINGTON, CHITTENDEN County, VERMONT, 05403
State: Vermont Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $5,449.78 to STUART B. CONSULTANTS, INC. for work described as: THIS REQUISITION IS TO FUND THE BASE PERIOD OF THE PUBLIC DISABILITY ACCOMODATION (PDAP) SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION (SLI) SERVICES FOR VIDEO TASK ORDER. Key points: 1. The contract is for sign language interpretation services for video tasks. 2. Stuart B. Consultants, Inc. is the awardee. 3. The contract value is $5.45 million for a one-year base period. 4. The service falls under Translation and Interpretation Services (NAICS 541930).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $5.45 million for one year of specialized interpretation services appears reasonable given the niche nature of the requirement. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for highly specialized language services would be necessary for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method is generally expected to yield fair pricing and identify qualified contractors.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to procure essential accessibility services, ensuring compliance with disability accommodation requirements.
Public Impact
Ensures accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments in government interactions. Supports the mission of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services by facilitating communication. Provides critical interpretation services for video-based tasks.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost escalation in future option years.
- Dependence on a single contractor for a critical service.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Addresses a clear need for accessibility.
Sector Analysis
The Translation and Interpretation Services sector (NAICS 541930) is a growing market driven by globalization and increasing diversity. Federal spending in this area supports various agency functions requiring multilingual communication and accessibility.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication in the provided data whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a component of the Department of Homeland Security. Standard federal procurement oversight processes would apply to ensure contract performance and financial accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for sole-source extensions if competition proves difficult.
- Service quality dependent on interpreter qualifications and availability.
- Budgetary constraints could impact future service levels.
- Need for clear performance metrics and monitoring.
Tags
translation-and-interpretation-services, department-of-homeland-security, vt, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $5,449.78 to STUART B. CONSULTANTS, INC.. THIS REQUISITION IS TO FUND THE BASE PERIOD OF THE PUBLIC DISABILITY ACCOMODATION (PDAP) SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION (SLI) SERVICES FOR VIDEO TASK ORDER.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is STUART B. CONSULTANTS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5,449.78.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-29. End: 2024-09-28.
What is the projected cost per hour or per minute for these sign language interpretation services, and how does it compare to market rates?
The provided data does not include specific per-unit cost breakdowns (e.g., hourly or per-minute rates). To assess value, a comparison with industry benchmarks for certified sign language interpreters, considering factors like remote vs. in-person, specialized terminology, and urgency, would be necessary. Without this granular data, a precise value assessment is challenging.
What are the risks associated with relying on a single contractor for sign language interpretation services, particularly for critical government functions?
Reliance on a single contractor poses risks such as potential service disruptions due to contractor performance issues, staffing shortages, or financial instability. It can also limit flexibility in scaling services up or down quickly. Furthermore, it may reduce competitive pressure on pricing and quality in subsequent contract actions or renewals.
How effectively will these services enhance communication and accessibility for individuals interacting with USCIS via video platforms?
These services are designed to directly enhance communication and accessibility by providing qualified sign language interpreters for video interactions. This is crucial for individuals with hearing impairments to fully participate in and understand USCIS processes, thereby improving service delivery and ensuring equitable access to government information and benefits.
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
Solicitation ID: 70SBUR23Q00000267
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Stuart B. Consultants Inc
Address: 3509 SHEPHARD ST, CHEVY CHASE, MD, 20815
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,450
Exercised Options: $5,450
Current Obligation: $5,450
Actual Outlays: $5,450
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA22D004R
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-29
Current End Date: 2024-09-28
Potential End Date: 2024-09-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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