DOJ Awards $13.17M to Babel Street for Custom Programming Services, Not Competed Under SAP
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,175 ($13.2K)
Contractor: Babel Street, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-04-01
End Date: 2027-03-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $36/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: TITLE: BABEL STREET ISEI REQUESTOR: AKEHA K GREENE POP DATES: 04/10/2026 TO 04/09/2027
Place of Performance
Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $13,174.75 to BABEL STREET, INC. for work described as: TITLE: BABEL STREET ISEI REQUESTOR: AKEHA K GREENE POP DATES: 04/10/2026 TO 04/09/2027 Key points: 1. Babel Street, Inc. secured a $13.17 million contract for custom computer programming services. 2. The contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 3. This award represents a significant investment in specialized IT services for the DEA. 4. The firm fixed price contract spans one year, with potential for renewal.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's value of $13.17 million for a single year of custom programming services appears high. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is aligned with market rates for similar services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under SAP, suggesting a limited competition approach. This method may not yield the best price discovery for the government, potentially leading to higher costs.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this contract. The lack of competition raises concerns about the efficient use of these funds.
Public Impact
The Drug Enforcement Administration is acquiring specialized custom computer programming services. This contract could impact the DEA's operational capabilities and data analysis. The duration of the contract is one year, with a firm fixed price.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Limited transparency
Positive Signals
- Specific service for a government agency
- Firm fixed price contract
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector, particularly custom computer programming, is highly specialized. Benchmarks for similar contracts are difficult to establish without knowing the exact scope and complexity of the services provided by Babel Street.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to Babel Street, Inc., a specific company. There is no indication of small business participation in this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation warrants further oversight to ensure proper justification for limited competition and adherence to procurement regulations.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Drug Enforcement Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency in procurement
- Unclear justification for limited competition
- No stated performance metrics
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-justice, va, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $13,174.75 to BABEL STREET, INC.. TITLE: BABEL STREET ISEI REQUESTOR: AKEHA K GREENE POP DATES: 04/10/2026 TO 04/09/2027
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BABEL STREET, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $13,174.75.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.
What specific custom computer programming services are being provided by Babel Street, and how do they directly support the DEA's mission?
The provided data does not detail the specific custom computer programming services. Understanding the exact nature of these services, such as software development, data integration, or specialized analytics tools, is crucial to assessing their value and necessity for the Drug Enforcement Administration's operations and intelligence gathering.
What is the justification for not competing this contract under SAP, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?
The justification for not competing under SAP is not provided. Typically, this designation implies a sole-source or limited competition scenario. Without competitive bids, it is imperative that the agency conducted thorough market research and price analysis to ensure the $13.17 million award is fair and reasonable for the custom programming services rendered.
How will the effectiveness of Babel Street's custom programming services be measured to ensure optimal use of taxpayer funds?
The data does not specify performance metrics or evaluation criteria for this contract. To ensure effectiveness and responsible use of taxpayer funds, the DEA should have established clear deliverables, key performance indicators (KPIs), and a robust oversight mechanism to track the successful implementation and impact of Babel Street's custom programming solutions.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1900 RESTON METRO PLZ STE 950, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,175
Exercised Options: $13,175
Current Obligation: $13,175
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2027-03-31
Potential End Date: 2027-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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