BPA Call for Translation Services Awarded to Ad Astra, Inc. for $600,000

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $60,000 ($60.0K)

Contractor: AD Astra, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency

Start Date: 2025-07-23

End Date: 2026-07-22

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $165/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BPA CALL LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION TRANSLATION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20002

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency obligated $60,000 to AD ASTRA, INC. for work described as: BPA CALL LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION TRANSLATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $600,000 for translation and interpretation services. 2. Awarded to Ad Astra, Inc. under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. 3. Competition method was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', indicating a competitive process. 4. Sector is primarily professional services, specifically translation and interpretation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $600,000 for a 364-day duration appears reasonable for specialized translation services. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for translation services would provide a more definitive assessment of pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a competitive process within that framework. While not full and open, this method aims for price discovery among qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of competitive procedures, even under SAP, is intended to secure fair pricing and maximize taxpayer value for essential government services.

Public Impact

Ensures effective communication for court proceedings and offender supervision. Supports the operational needs of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency. Provides critical language access for individuals interacting with the justice system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to BPA call structure.
Reliance on a single vendor for a critical service.

Positive Signals

Competitive bidding process utilized.
Clear contract duration and defined services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically translation and interpretation. Federal spending in this area supports agency operations and legal requirements for language access, with benchmarks varying based on language complexity and volume.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had a fair opportunity to compete under the SAP process.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting a level of oversight in the procurement process. The agency's internal controls and post-award monitoring will be crucial for ensuring performance and value.

Related Government Programs

Translation and Interpretation Services
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency Contracting
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition.
Vendor performance risk.
Accuracy and quality assurance of translation.
Cost-effectiveness compared to market rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency awarded $60,000 to AD ASTRA, INC.. BPA CALL LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION TRANSLATION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AD ASTRA, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $60,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-23. End: 2026-07-22.

What is the typical cost per hour or per word for translation services in the DC area for similar government agencies?

Benchmarking translation services costs requires detailed analysis of language pairs, service types (certified, uncertified, interpretation), and volume discounts. Government contracts often have specific rates negotiated. Without access to the specific BPA call details and Ad Astra's pricing structure, a precise per-unit cost is difficult to establish. However, rates can range significantly, from $50-$150+ per hour for interpreters and $0.10-$0.50+ per word for translation, depending on complexity and urgency.

What are the risks associated with relying on a BPA call for specialized translation services?

Risks include potentially limited competition if the BPA itself had few qualified vendors or if the call wasn't widely disseminated. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in if the BPA is extended or if Ad Astra's performance is subpar but difficult to replace quickly. Ensuring quality control and adherence to accuracy standards for legal and sensitive information is paramount.

How effectively does this contract support the agency's mission of providing court services and offender supervision?

This contract is crucial for ensuring effective communication and access to justice for individuals who are not proficient in English. Accurate translation and interpretation services are vital for legal proceedings, case management, and offender rehabilitation programs. The contract's success hinges on the reliability and quality of Ad Astra's services in facilitating these critical functions.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: AD Astra Inc.

Address: 8701 GEORGIA AVE STE 800, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $60,000

Exercised Options: $60,000

Current Obligation: $60,000

Actual Outlays: $19,612

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 9594CS24A0018

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline