DoD's $148M Translation Services Contract Awarded to Global Linguist Solutions Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $148,042,537 ($148.0M)
Contractor: Global Linguist Solutions LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-06-02
End Date: 2011-12-06
Contract Duration: 187 days
Daily Burn Rate: $791.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: LABOR
Place of Performance
Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20170
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $148.0 million to GLOBAL LINGUIST SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: LABOR Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $148M for translation and interpretation services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risk associated with the 'Cost Plus Award Fee' contract type, which can incentivize cost overruns. 4. Services fall within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), which can lead to higher costs than fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar translation services contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders participated. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were utilized through a competitive process, aiming for value, but the CPAF structure warrants scrutiny for potential cost inefficiencies.
Public Impact
Ensures critical translation and interpretation capabilities for Department of Defense operations. Supports linguistic needs in potentially sensitive or high-stakes environments. The contract's duration and value suggest a substantial and ongoing requirement for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 79 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
- Lack of specific per-unit cost data
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Awarded to a single entity, suggesting specialized capabilities
- Supports critical defense functions
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically translation and interpretation. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on government needs, but large-scale contracts like this indicate significant operational requirements.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. The primary awardee is Global Linguist Solutions LLC.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), suggesting established oversight mechanisms. However, the CPAF structure requires diligent monitoring to ensure cost control and performance.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure
- Potential for cost escalation
- Limited transparency on specific performance metrics driving award fees
- Lack of detailed per-unit cost data for benchmarking
Tags
translation-and-interpretation-services, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $148.0 million to GLOBAL LINGUIST SOLUTIONS LLC. LABOR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GLOBAL LINGUIST SOLUTIONS LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $148.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-06-02. End: 2011-12-06.
What specific performance metrics were used to determine award fees under the CPAF structure, and how did they align with mission objectives?
The award fee structure is designed to incentivize contractor performance beyond minimum requirements. Specific metrics would typically relate to timeliness, accuracy, and responsiveness of translation services. Without access to the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) and award fee criteria, it's impossible to detail these metrics or assess their alignment with DoD's mission objectives effectively.
How does the per-unit cost of translation services under this CPAF contract compare to industry benchmarks, considering the complexity and security requirements?
Benchmarking per-unit costs for specialized translation services is challenging due to varying complexity, language pairs, security clearances, and geographic locations. CPAF contracts, by nature, allow for costs plus an incentive fee, which can obscure direct per-unit comparisons. A detailed analysis would require comparing specific service rates against similar government or commercial contracts with comparable security and linguistic demands.
What is the potential risk of vendor lock-in or over-reliance on Global Linguist Solutions given the contract's size and duration?
The substantial value and duration of this contract could pose a risk of vendor lock-in if not managed carefully. Continuous market research and periodic re-competition are essential to ensure ongoing competitive pressure and prevent over-reliance. The DoD should regularly assess if alternative vendors could meet evolving requirements to maintain flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: W911W405R0001
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. (UEI: 014784388)
Address: 6564 LOISDALE CT STE 900, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 22150
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $148,042,537
Exercised Options: $148,042,537
Current Obligation: $148,042,537
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W911W408D0002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-06-02
Current End Date: 2011-12-06
Potential End Date: 2011-12-06 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-09-22
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