DoD Awards $112.5M for Linguist Support, Sole-Source Contract Raises Concerns
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $112,523,771 ($112.5M)
Contractor: Engility LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-09-10
End Date: 2008-06-09
Contract Duration: 273 days
Daily Burn Rate: $412.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COMBINATION (TWO OR MORE)
Sector: Other
Official Description: LABOR WORLDWIDE LINGUIST SUPPORT SERVICE
Place of Performance
Location: FORT BELVOIR, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22060
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $112.5 million to ENGILITY LLC for work described as: LABOR WORLDWIDE LINGUIST SUPPORT SERVICE Key points: 1. Significant contract value of over $112 million. 2. Sole-source award limits competition and potentially impacts price discovery. 3. Contract duration of 273 days is relatively short for the value. 4. Services fall under 'Other Management Consulting Services', a broad category.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $112.5 million for a 273-day period appears high, especially given the lack of competition. Without a competitive bidding process, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is optimal compared to similar services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating no competition. This method bypasses the standard procurement process, potentially leading to higher costs and reduced innovation as there's no market pressure to offer the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this substantial award raises concerns about taxpayer money being spent efficiently. Without competitive pricing, there's a risk of overpayment.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding. Limited transparency in the procurement process for essential linguist support. Potential for reduced service quality if the sole-source provider faces no market pressure.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- High contract value with short duration
- Lack of small business participation
Positive Signals
- Essential service for Department of Defense operations
Sector Analysis
The 'Other Management Consulting Services' sector is broad, encompassing a wide range of professional services. Benchmarking linguist support services specifically is challenging without more granular data, but the value awarded is substantial for the stated duration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no specific focus on small business participation for this contract, and the sole-source nature further limits opportunities for small businesses to compete for this significant award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source award warrants further scrutiny to ensure the justification for bypassing competition was robust and that the pricing reflects fair market value. Oversight should focus on the necessity of the sole-source approach and the performance of the contractor.
Related Government Programs
- Other Management Consulting Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Limited transparency
- No small business set-aside
- High value for short duration
Tags
other-management-consulting-services, department-of-defense, va, do, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $112.5 million to ENGILITY LLC. LABOR WORLDWIDE LINGUIST SUPPORT SERVICE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ENGILITY LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $112.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-09-10. End: 2008-06-09.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of sources. Without detailed documentation, it's unclear why Engility LLC was the only viable option for linguist support. A thorough review would examine if market research was adequately conducted to identify potential competitors and if the perceived barriers to competition were truly insurmountable.
How does the per-unit cost of this linguist support service compare to industry benchmarks, given the lack of competitive pricing?
Assessing the per-unit cost is challenging without a competitive bidding process. The absence of multiple offers means there's no direct market comparison. To evaluate value, the agency should have conducted a price analysis based on historical data, commercial prices, or other government contracts for similar services. Without this, the $112.5 million award's cost-effectiveness remains uncertain.
What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of linguist services provided under this sole-source contract?
Given the sole-source nature, robust performance monitoring and quality assurance are critical. The Department of the Army should have clear metrics and oversight mechanisms to track the contractor's performance, ensuring linguists meet required proficiency levels and support mission objectives effectively. Regular performance reviews and feedback loops are essential to mitigate risks associated with non-competitive awards.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: W911W404R0008
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COMBINATION (TWO OR MORE) (2)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Engility Corporation (UEI: 783837672)
Address: 3750 CENTERVIEW DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $114,196,278
Exercised Options: $114,196,278
Current Obligation: $112,523,771
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W911W404D0005
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-09-10
Current End Date: 2008-06-09
Potential End Date: 2008-06-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-09-25
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