GSA's $27.7M Contract for Linguistic Support in Southwest Asia Awarded to Allworld Language Consultants

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,699,091 ($27.7M)

Contractor: Allworld Language Consultants Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2010-04-15

End Date: 2015-10-31

Contract Duration: 2,025 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LINGUISTIC SUPPORT SERVICES PERFORMED IN SOUTHWEST ASIA

Place of Performance

Location: SHAW AFB, SUMTER County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29152

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $27.7 million to ALLWORLD LANGUAGE CONSULTANTS INC for work described as: LINGUISTIC SUPPORT SERVICES PERFORMED IN SOUTHWEST ASIA Key points: 1. Contract value of $27.7 million over its period of performance. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk appears moderate given the fixed-price contract type and established vendor. 4. Spending falls within the professional services sector, specifically translation and interpretation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $27.7 million over five years suggests a significant but potentially reasonable price for specialized linguistic support in a challenging region. Benchmarking against similar contracts for translation and interpretation services in overseas operations 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, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for taxpayer value, as it aims to secure the best possible pricing through market forces.

Public Impact

Ensures critical linguistic support for U.S. operations in Southwest Asia. Supports government objectives in a complex geopolitical region. Provides services essential for communication and understanding in diverse environments.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Geographic concentration of services in Southwest Asia may present logistical and security challenges.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical linguistic services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition likely secured competitive pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Long-term contract (2025 end date) suggests sustained need and potential for efficiency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically translation and interpretation. Spending benchmarks for similar services in support of overseas operations can vary widely based on location, language complexity, and security requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award, as the vendor is not identified as a small business and the contract was not set aside for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) managed this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight would involve monitoring vendor performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and managing payments to mitigate risks and ensure value.

Related Government Programs

Translation and Interpretation Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Geographic concentration in a high-risk region.
Potential for vendor lock-in if performance is critical and alternatives are limited.
Dependence on specialized skills that may be scarce.
Contract duration could outpace evolving mission needs or technological advancements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $27.7 million to ALLWORLD LANGUAGE CONSULTANTS INC. LINGUISTIC SUPPORT SERVICES PERFORMED IN SOUTHWEST ASIA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALLWORLD LANGUAGE CONSULTANTS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $27.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-04-15. End: 2015-10-31.

What was the specific nature of the linguistic support required, and how did it directly contribute to mission objectives in Southwest Asia?

The linguistic support likely involved translation of documents, interpretation during meetings and operations, and potentially cultural advising to facilitate effective communication between U.S. personnel and local populations or partners. This support is crucial for intelligence gathering, diplomatic efforts, and operational success in a region with diverse languages and cultures, directly impacting mission effectiveness and safety.

Given the duration and value, what were the primary risk mitigation strategies employed by GSA to ensure consistent service quality and prevent cost overruns?

GSA likely employed several risk mitigation strategies, including the firm fixed-price contract type to cap costs, clear performance standards and deliverables outlined in the contract, and regular performance reviews. The full and open competition process itself helps mitigate risk by selecting a vendor deemed capable. Monitoring key performance indicators and maintaining open communication channels with the contractor would also be crucial.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar linguistic services in high-risk or remote operational environments?

Without specific details on the languages supported, the exact nature of the services (e.g., simultaneous interpretation vs. document translation), and the precise geographic locations within Southwest Asia, a direct benchmark comparison is difficult. However, $27.7 million over five years for specialized linguistic support in such a demanding region suggests a significant investment, potentially reflecting higher costs due to security, logistical, and specialized skill requirements.

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: 4QCO57103415

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 172 ROLLINS AVE, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $40,784,727

Exercised Options: $27,699,091

Current Obligation: $27,699,091

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0227K

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline