State Department awards $3.5M for sign language interpreting, with Applied Development, LLC securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,501,297 ($3.5M)

Contractor: Applied Development, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2025-04-04

End Date: 2027-04-03

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING SERVICES-UNCLASSIFIED, SECRET, AND CLASSIFIED UP TO TS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20522

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $3.5 million to APPLIED DEVELOPMENT, LLC for work described as: SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING SERVICES-UNCLASSIFIED, SECRET, AND CLASSIFIED UP TO TS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized services. 3. Potential risks include contractor performance and the need for specialized interpreter availability. 4. This contract supports critical communication needs within the Department of State. 5. The award falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.5 million over two years for sign language interpreting services seems aligned with market rates for specialized linguistic support. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for interpretation services indicates a competitive pricing structure. The use of labor hours allows for flexibility in service delivery, potentially optimizing value for money.

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 were eligible to bid. The presence of three bidders suggests a competitive environment, which typically drives better pricing and service quality. This level of competition is favorable for the government in securing specialized services.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering price discovery and encouraging vendors to offer their best terms.

Public Impact

Benefits federal employees and visitors requiring sign language interpretation for official business. Ensures accessibility and effective communication in unclassified, secret, and classified environments. Services will be primarily delivered in Washington D.C., impacting federal operations in the capital. Supports a workforce of skilled sign language interpreters, contributing to employment in the field.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Ensuring consistent availability of interpreters with appropriate security clearances for classified environments.
Maintaining interpreter quality and adherence to professional standards across all service levels.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust vendor pool.
Contract duration allows for stable service provision and planning.
Clear scope of services for interpreting across different security levels.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically translation and interpretation services. The market for these services is driven by the need for accurate and nuanced communication across various industries and government agencies. Federal spending in this area is consistent, supporting both routine and specialized communication requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract included specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation and its impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of State, ensuring adherence to contract terms and service level agreements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, and performance will be monitored against defined deliverables.

Related Government Programs

Federal Sign Language Interpreting Services
Department of State Language Services
Government Translation and Interpretation Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential difficulty in sourcing interpreters with high-level security clearances.
Risk of performance degradation if interpreter pool is not adequately managed or trained.
Dependence on contractor's ability to maintain consistent service quality across diverse environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $3.5 million to APPLIED DEVELOPMENT, LLC. SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING SERVICES-UNCLASSIFIED, SECRET, AND CLASSIFIED UP TO TS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APPLIED DEVELOPMENT, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-04. End: 2027-04-03.

What is the historical spending pattern for sign language interpreting services at the Department of State?

Analyzing historical spending for sign language interpreting services at the Department of State is crucial for understanding trends and budget predictability. While specific historical data for this exact contract is not provided, general federal spending on interpretation and translation services has remained relatively stable, with fluctuations often tied to specific agency needs or global events requiring enhanced communication. The Department of State, given its international engagement and diverse workforce, likely has consistent requirements for such services. A deeper dive into past solicitations and awards for similar services would reveal spending levels, average contract values, and the number of vendors historically engaged, providing a baseline against which the current $3.5 million award can be assessed for its relative scale and significance.

How does the contractor, Applied Development, LLC, perform on other federal contracts?

Information regarding the past performance of Applied Development, LLC on other federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment of this award would necessitate reviewing the contractor's performance history, including any past performance evaluations, contract awards, and any reported issues or successes. Federal agencies typically consider past performance as a significant factor in the source selection process. Examining databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) would offer insights into their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contractual obligations on previous engagements, thereby informing the overall risk assessment of this current award.

What are the specific security clearance requirements for interpreters under this contract?

The contract specifies services for 'UNCLASSIFIED, SECRET, AND CLASSIFIED UP TO TS' environments, indicating a tiered requirement for security clearances among the sign language interpreters. This means that interpreters assigned to this contract must be eligible for and possess the appropriate level of clearance, ranging from unclassified access to Top Secret (TS). The Department of State will likely have stringent procedures for vetting interpreters, including background investigations, to ensure they meet the necessary security standards for accessing sensitive information and facilities. The ability of Applied Development, LLC to source and maintain a pool of interpreters with the required clearances is a critical factor for successful contract performance.

What is the typical duration and value of similar sign language interpreting contracts?

The typical duration and value of similar sign language interpreting contracts can vary significantly based on the agency, scope of services, and geographic location. Federal contracts for specialized interpretation services often range from one to five years, with values from tens of thousands to several million dollars. This particular contract, valued at $3.5 million over two years (729 days), falls within the mid-to-high range for such services, especially considering the requirement to support classified environments. Shorter-term, lower-value contracts might cover specific events or limited-duration projects, while larger, multi-year awards like this one are typically for ongoing, mission-critical support, suggesting a sustained need within the Department of State.

Are there any specific performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract?

While the provided data does not explicitly list specific performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract, it is standard practice for federal service contracts to include such measures. For sign language interpreting services, common KPIs would likely revolve around interpreter availability, punctuality, accuracy of interpretation, adherence to confidentiality, and overall client satisfaction. The Department of State's contracting officer's representative (COR) would typically monitor these metrics to ensure the contractor, Applied Development, LLC, is meeting the required standards. Failure to meet these KPIs could result in contractual remedies, including potential penalties or termination, underscoring their importance for successful contract execution and value delivery.

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: 19AQMM22R0195

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6200 BALTIMORE AVE STE 300-R27, RIVERDALE, MD, 20737

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,062,666

Exercised Options: $4,062,666

Current Obligation: $3,501,297

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM23D0056

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline