DHS awards $8.6M for refugee interpretation services, with Language Line LLC securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,617,437 ($8.6M)

Contractor: Language Line, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-06-14

End Date: 2025-09-20

Contract Duration: 463 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 18

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INTERPRETATION SERVICES FOR THE THE REFUGEE, ASYLUM, AND INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS DIVISION

Place of Performance

Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $8.6 million to LANGUAGE LINE, LLC for work described as: INTERPRETATION SERVICES FOR THE THE REFUGEE, ASYLUM, AND INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS DIVISION Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 463 days indicates a medium-term need for these services. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541930 points to specialized translation and interpretation services. 5. The award value of $8.6 million falls within a moderate spending range for such services. 6. The contract is for interpretation services, crucial for the Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Division.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.6 million for interpretation services over approximately 16 months appears reasonable when benchmarked against similar government contracts for specialized language support. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost predictability. Without specific per-unit data, a direct comparison of value-for-money is challenging, but the competitive award process suggests a fair market price was likely achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 18 bids indicates a robust level of interest and competition for this requirement. A high number of bidders generally supports price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as multiple vendors vied to offer the best value. This reduces the risk of overpayment and promotes a market-driven price.

Public Impact

Provides essential interpretation services to support the operations of the Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Division within DHS. Facilitates communication for refugees and asylum seekers interacting with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Ensures accurate and timely understanding of critical information for vulnerable populations. Supports the efficient processing of asylum claims and refugee resettlement efforts. Impacts the workforce by requiring skilled interpreters to facilitate these vital government functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for language barriers to impact the speed and accuracy of critical case processing if interpreter availability is inconsistent.
Reliance on a single contractor, even if competitively selected, could pose risks if performance issues arise.
Ensuring the quality and cultural competency of interpreters is paramount for fair and effective service delivery.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad market response and potential for competitive pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty and limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
The contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing need for these critical services.

Sector Analysis

The market for translation and interpretation services is substantial, driven by government needs for communication across diverse populations and international engagements. This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting government administrative functions. Comparable spending benchmarks for interpretation services vary widely based on language, volume, and complexity, but an $8.6 million award for a 16-month period is within a typical range for large federal agencies requiring broad language support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded through full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside. While Language Line, LLC is a large business, the competitive nature of the award means that opportunities for small business subcontracting may exist if Language Line chooses to engage them. However, without explicit subcontracting plans or goals, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not detailed in this award notice.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) contracting officer and program managers within the Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Division. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and adherence to contract terms are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security - Refugee Assistance Programs
USCIS - Asylum Processing
Federal Translation and Interpretation Services
Department of Justice - Immigrant and Refugee Services
Department of State - Consular Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting critical service delivery.
Reliance on a single vendor for essential services.
Ensuring consistent quality and cultural competency of interpreters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $8.6 million to LANGUAGE LINE, LLC. INTERPRETATION SERVICES FOR THE THE REFUGEE, ASYLUM, AND INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS DIVISION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LANGUAGE LINE, LLC.

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 $8.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-14. End: 2025-09-20.

What is the historical spending pattern for interpretation services by the Department of Homeland Security, specifically for refugee and asylum operations?

Historical spending data for interpretation services by DHS, particularly for refugee and asylum operations, reveals a consistent and significant investment. Agencies like USCIS and others within DHS frequently require these services due to their mission mandates. Over the past five fiscal years, DHS has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars towards language services, encompassing translation and interpretation across various programs. This $8.6 million award for Language Line, LLC aligns with the ongoing need and budget allocations for such critical support. Fluctuations in spending can be attributed to shifts in immigration policy, the volume of asylum claims, and the geographic diversity of incoming populations. The trend indicates a sustained requirement, suggesting that future budgets will likely continue to prioritize these services to ensure effective communication and processing.

How does the per-hour rate for Language Line, LLC in this contract compare to market rates for professional interpreters?

Determining the precise per-hour rate for Language Line, LLC under this specific contract is not possible with the provided data, as the total award amount and duration do not break down into unit costs. However, Language Line is a major provider in the interpretation services market, and their rates are generally considered competitive, though often at the higher end due to their scale, technology, and established reputation. Market rates for professional interpreters can vary significantly based on language, specialization (e.g., legal, medical), location, and whether the service is in-person, over-the-phone, or video remote. For specialized government contracts, rates can range from $50 to over $150 per hour. Given the firm fixed-price nature and the competitive bidding process (18 bidders), it is reasonable to infer that the negotiated rates are aligned with or favorable compared to prevailing market conditions for similar government services.

What are the specific performance metrics and quality assurance measures in place for this interpretation services contract?

While the provided award data does not detail specific performance metrics or quality assurance measures, government contracts for interpretation services typically include stringent requirements. These often involve metrics related to interpreter availability (e.g., response times for on-demand services), accuracy rates, adherence to ethical codes of conduct, and client satisfaction surveys. Quality assurance protocols usually involve regular performance reviews by the contracting officer's representative (COR), potential audits of interpreter qualifications, and mechanisms for addressing client complaints or feedback. For a contract supporting refugee and asylum operations, accuracy and cultural sensitivity are paramount, so these would likely be heavily emphasized in the performance standards and monitoring processes to ensure fair and effective communication with vulnerable individuals.

What is the track record of Language Line, LLC in performing similar government contracts, particularly for DHS or USCIS?

Language Line, LLC has a significant track record of providing interpretation and translation services to various government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). They are one of the largest providers in this space and have held numerous contracts over the years. Their experience often includes supporting immigration services, law enforcement, and other public-facing government functions that require multilingual communication. While specific details of past performance on DHS/USCIS contracts are not in this award notice, their continued success in winning competitive bids suggests a history of satisfactory performance. Government contract databases often contain past performance evaluations, which would provide more granular detail on their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms in previous engagements.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the processing times for asylum and refugee cases?

The provision of timely and accurate interpretation services through this contract is critical for the efficient processing of asylum and refugee cases. By ensuring that USCIS officers can communicate effectively with applicants, and that applicants can fully understand questions and express their situations, these services directly contribute to reducing delays. Inaccurate or delayed interpretation can lead to misunderstandings, requests for clarification, and potentially longer review periods. Conversely, reliable interpretation facilitates smoother interviews, clearer documentation, and more streamlined decision-making. Therefore, this $8.6 million contract is expected to have a positive impact by supporting the operational capacity of the Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Division, helping to manage caseloads and adhere to processing timelines.

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: 70SBUR24Q00000077

Offers Received: 18

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Teleperformance SE

Address: 1 LOWER RAGSDALE DR BLDG 2, MONTEREY, CA, 93940

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,617,437

Exercised Options: $8,617,437

Current Obligation: $8,617,437

Actual Outlays: $8,178,631

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA23D006X

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline