DoD's $95M Translation Services Contract Awarded to Allworld Language Consultants
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $31,651,554 ($31.7M)
Contractor: Allworld Language Consultants Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2001-01-16
End Date: 2010-04-30
Contract Duration: 3,391 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: 200104!000045!5700!AC34 !20 CONS/CC !GS10F0227K !C!N!*!N!F3860101F6002 !20010116!20010930!949873624!949873624!949873624!N!ALLWORLD LANGUAGE CONSULTANTS,!172 ROLLINS AVENUE !ROCKVILLE !MD!20852!* !* !SA!* !* !S ARABIA !+000001858422!N!N!000000000000!R608!TRANSLATION & INTERPRETING SERVICES !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !512240!*!*!6! ! ! !*!*!*!B!*!*! ! !A ! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !A!N! ! ! ! ! !D! !* ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !0001!
Place of Performance
Location: SHAW AFB, SUMTER County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29152
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $31.7 million to ALLWORLD LANGUAGE CONSULTANTS INC for work described as: 200104!000045!5700!AC34 !20 CONS/CC !GS10F0227K !C!N!*!N!F3860101F6002 !20010116!20010930!949873624!949873624!949873624!N!ALLWORLD LANGUAGE CONSULTANTS,!172 ROLLINS AVENUE !ROCKVILLE !MD!20852!* !* !SA!* !* … Key points: 1. The Department of Defense awarded a significant contract for translation and interpreting services. 2. Allworld Language Consultants Inc. secured the contract, indicating potential market concentration. 3. The contract's duration and value suggest a substantial, long-term need for these services. 4. The sector is critical for intelligence and operational effectiveness, but also carries security risks. 5. The award method and pricing require further scrutiny to ensure taxpayer value.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $95M over 10 years is substantial. Without specific per-unit cost data or benchmarks for translation services, it's difficult to definitively assess its value against similar contracts. The fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to control costs, but the overall price point warrants further investigation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is positive for price discovery. However, the specific details of the bidding process and the number of bidders are not provided, making it hard to assess the effectiveness of the competition in driving down costs.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition suggests an effort to secure competitive pricing, but the total value of $95M over a decade represents a significant taxpayer investment that needs to be justified by the services rendered.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communication capabilities for national security operations. Supports diverse linguistic needs across various Department of Defense branches. Potential for job creation in the translation and interpretation industry. The long-term nature of the contract could impact the agility of acquiring new language services if needs change.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown for unit pricing.
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to long contract duration.
- Geopolitical risks associated with services potentially supporting foreign operations.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Addresses a critical national security requirement.
- Long-term contract provides stability for service provision.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically translation and interpretation. Government spending in this area is often driven by national security, intelligence, and international relations needs. Benchmarks are difficult to establish without granular data on service types and complexity.
Small Business Impact
While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, there is no explicit information indicating subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved or could have been involved.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's long duration and significant value necessitate robust oversight to ensure performance standards are met and costs remain justified. Accountability mechanisms should be in place to track service quality and vendor performance throughout the contract lifecycle.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Significant contract value ($95M).
- Long contract duration (10 years).
- Lack of detailed unit cost data for benchmarking.
- Potential for service quality degradation over time.
- Limited insight into small business participation.
Tags
translation-and-interpretation-services, department-of-defense, sc, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $31.7 million to ALLWORLD LANGUAGE CONSULTANTS INC. 200104!000045!5700!AC34 !20 CONS/CC !GS10F0227K !C!N!*!N!F3860101F6002 !20010116!20010930!949873624!949873624!949873624!N!ALLWORLD LANGUAGE CONSULTANTS,!172 ROLLINS AVENUE !ROCKVILLE !MD!20852!* !* !SA!* !* !S ARABIA !+000001858422!N!N!000000000000!R608!TRANSLATION & INTERPRETING SERVICES !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !512240!*!*!6! ! ! !*!*!*!B!*!*! !
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALLWORLD LANGUAGE CONSULTANTS INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $31.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2001-01-16. End: 2010-04-30.
What specific translation and interpretation services are covered under this contract, and how do their unit costs compare to industry averages for similar government contracts?
The contract covers translation and interpreting services, categorized under NAICS code 541930. However, specific unit costs for different service types (e.g., per word, per hour) are not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive comparison to industry averages would require access to more granular pricing information and potentially other government contract databases for similar services.
Given the $95M value and 10-year duration, what are the primary risks associated with this contract, particularly concerning service quality and potential cost overruns?
Key risks include potential degradation of service quality over a long period, vendor lock-in making it difficult to switch providers if performance falters, and the possibility of unforeseen cost increases if the scope of work expands beyond initial projections. Ensuring robust performance metrics and regular reviews is crucial to mitigate these risks.
How effective is the full and open competition method in ensuring the Department of Defense receives the best value for these critical language services?
Full and open competition is generally effective in promoting price discovery and encouraging multiple vendors to bid, theoretically leading to better value. However, the ultimate effectiveness depends on the clarity of the solicitation, the number and capability of bidders, and the government's ability to evaluate proposals comprehensively to select the most advantageous offer.
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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 172 ROLLINS AVE, ROCKVILLE, MD, 08
Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS10F0227K
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2001-01-16
Current End Date: 2010-04-30
Potential End Date: 2010-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-04-11
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