Dod's $34.5M Linguist/Analyst Contract Awarded to Ascensus Global, Inc. for Translation Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $34,549,055 ($34.5M)
Contractor: Ascensus Global, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2012-03-09
End Date: 2013-09-09
Contract Duration: 549 days
Daily Burn Rate: $62.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: LINGUIST/ANALYST CONTRACT TRAVEL&ODCS
Place of Performance
Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78243
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $34.5 million to ASCENSUS GLOBAL, INC. for work described as: LINGUIST/ANALYST CONTRACT TRAVEL&ODCS Key points: 1. Contract value of $34.5M for translation and interpretation services. 2. Awarded to ASCENSUS GLOBAL, INC. by the Department of the Air Force. 3. Competition method was 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. 4. Contract duration was 549 days. 5. Services fall under NAICS code 541930 (Translation and Interpretation Services).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $34.5M for a 549-day duration suggests a significant per-day cost. Benchmarking against similar translation and interpretation services contracts would be necessary to assess if this pricing is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The competition method 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources were excluded, potentially limiting the competitive landscape and price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The final price paid by taxpayers depends on the efficiency and necessity of the services procured under this contract.
Public Impact
Ensures critical translation and interpretation services for Department of Defense operations. Supports military personnel and intelligence gathering through linguistic support. Potential impact on mission effectiveness if linguistic support is inadequate or delayed.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition due to exclusion of sources.
- Lack of clear per-unit cost benchmark.
- Contract awarded in 2012, data may be outdated.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type can control costs.
- Full and Open competition, even with exclusions, aims for best value.
- Specific agency (Air Force) indicates a focused need.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically translation and interpretation. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on geopolitical events and intelligence needs.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or prime contractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Air Force, implying oversight from that agency. The 'delivery order' nature suggests it might be part of a larger contract vehicle.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition.
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown.
- Potential for price inflation due to source exclusion.
- Need for quality assurance verification.
- Data is from a past contract period (2012-2013).
Tags
translation-and-interpretation-services, department-of-defense, tx, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $34.5 million to ASCENSUS GLOBAL, INC.. LINGUIST/ANALYST CONTRACT TRAVEL&ODCS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ASCENSUS GLOBAL, 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 $34.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-03-09. End: 2013-09-09.
What was the rationale for excluding specific sources in the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method, and did this exclusion impact the final price?
The rationale for excluding sources typically relates to specialized capabilities, past performance, or specific security requirements. Without detailed documentation, it's difficult to ascertain the exact reasons or the precise impact on price. However, excluding potential bidders generally reduces competition, which can lead to higher prices than if a broader pool of qualified vendors had been considered.
How does the $34.5M contract value compare to industry benchmarks for similar translation and interpretation services over a 549-day period, considering the specific language and security requirements
Benchmarking this contract requires detailed comparison with similar government or commercial contracts for translation and interpretation services, factoring in the specific languages, complexity, security clearances, and duration. A preliminary assessment suggests the value is substantial, necessitating a thorough review against established cost models and market rates for specialized linguistic support to determine cost-effectiveness.
What mechanisms were in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the translation and interpretation services provided by ASCENSUS GLOBAL, INC. under this contract?
Quality assurance for such services typically involves performance metrics, regular reviews of translated materials, and feedback from end-users. The contract type (Firm Fixed Price) incentivizes the contractor to meet defined standards efficiently. However, specific oversight details, such as quality control plans or performance evaluation reports, are not provided in this data summary.
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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: FA703710R8000
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 22 W JEFFERSON ST STE 402, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $34,549,055
Exercised Options: $34,549,055
Current Obligation: $34,549,055
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA703710D0002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-03-09
Current End Date: 2013-09-09
Potential End Date: 2013-09-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-10-07
More Contracts from Ascensus Global, Inc.
- Linguist/Analyst Labor — $20.4M (Department of Defense)
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)