State Department awards $17.8M contract for translation services, highlighting a need for specialized linguistic support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,852 ($17.9K)

Contractor: Legal Interpreting Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2026-04-12

End Date: 2026-05-03

Contract Duration: 21 days

Daily Burn Rate: $850/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION OF U.S. SPONSORED FOR SAUDI GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL.

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $17,852.33 to LEGAL INTERPRETING SERVICES, INC. for work described as: INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION OF U.S. SPONSORED FOR SAUDI GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL. Key points: 1. Contract value of $17.85 million indicates significant demand for interpretation services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. Short performance period of 21 days may point to urgent or specific project needs. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. Contractor, Legal Interpreting Services, Inc., has secured this award, suggesting past performance or competitive positioning. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541930 places this within translation and interpretation services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.85 million for 21 days of service appears high, but without specific details on the scope and intensity of interpretation required, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar short-term, high-intensity interpretation contracts would be necessary for a definitive evaluation. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost predictability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This suggests a competitive environment where multiple companies likely vied for the contract, which typically leads to better pricing and service options for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competition type is a positive signal.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a market that drives down costs and encourages innovation, ensuring the government receives competitive pricing for essential services.

Public Impact

U.S. sponsored interpretation services for Saudi government personnel are delivered. This contract supports diplomatic and governmental functions requiring accurate communication. The services are crucial for facilitating understanding and cooperation between U.S. and Saudi officials. Geographic impact is likely concentrated in areas where diplomatic engagements occur, potentially Washington D.C. or overseas locations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for high per-diem costs given the short duration and specialized nature of interpretation.
Risk of service disruption if the contractor faces unforeseen staffing issues for the short, intensive period.
Limited time for extensive performance monitoring due to the 21-day duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that should yield fair pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty and limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
The contractor's name, Legal Interpreting Services, Inc., implies specialization in a critical niche.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically under translation and interpretation services. The market for these services is driven by global engagement, international business, and government operations requiring cross-cultural communication. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on geopolitical events and the volume of international interactions. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other government contracts for similar linguistic support, particularly those involving diplomatic or security-related functions.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting plans. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it's possible that small businesses participated in the bidding process. However, without specific details on set-asides, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or utilized.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of State Language Services
Department of Defense Linguist Support Contracts
Intelligence Community Translation Services
Department of Justice Interpretation Services

Risk Flags

High contract value for a short duration warrants scrutiny of per-unit costs and scope.
Limited performance period may restrict thorough performance evaluation.
Need for specialized interpretation services could imply a niche market with potentially higher costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $17,852.33 to LEGAL INTERPRETING SERVICES, INC.. INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION OF U.S. SPONSORED FOR SAUDI GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LEGAL INTERPRETING SERVICES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17,852.33.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-12. End: 2026-05-03.

What is the typical cost range for short-term, high-intensity interpretation services for government personnel?

The typical cost range for short-term, high-intensity interpretation services can vary significantly based on the language, the required level of security clearance, the duration, and the specific subject matter. For specialized services like those potentially required by the State Department for Saudi government personnel, daily rates can range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars per interpreter, excluding potential per diem, travel, and administrative fees. Given the $17.85 million award for a 21-day period, this suggests a substantial number of interpreters or exceptionally high daily rates, possibly due to the critical nature of the interpretation, the need for specific subject matter expertise (e.g., diplomatic, legal, technical), or the requirement for high-level security clearances. Benchmarking against historical State Department contracts for similar services, or against rates published by professional interpreter associations, would provide a clearer picture of whether this award represents a fair market price.

What specific interpretation needs does this contract address for the Saudi government?

The contract specifies 'INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION OF U.S. SPONSORED FOR SAUDI GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL.' This indicates the services are intended to facilitate communication between U.S. officials and Saudi government officials, likely during official engagements, meetings, negotiations, or training programs sponsored by the U.S. The exact nature of these 'sponsored' activities is not detailed, but it implies a U.S. initiative or program where clear and accurate communication is paramount for success. This could range from diplomatic dialogues and security cooperation discussions to cultural exchange programs or technical assistance initiatives. The short duration (21 days) suggests a specific event, series of meetings, or a focused project rather than ongoing, long-term support.

How does the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type impact risk for this interpretation service?

The Firm Fixed-Price (FFP) contract type is generally advantageous for the government in managing cost certainty, especially for services with well-defined scopes. For this interpretation contract, FFP means the contractor, Legal Interpreting Services, Inc., is obligated to perform the work for a predetermined price, regardless of their actual costs. This shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. For the government, it provides a clear budget ceiling. However, for short-term, potentially high-intensity services, the contractor may build in a higher contingency into their price to account for unforeseen challenges. The risk for the government under FFP is primarily related to potential compromises in quality or scope if the contractor struggles to meet the price, though the contract's performance standards should mitigate this. Given the short duration, the contractor's ability to accurately estimate costs upfront is critical.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 541930 (Translation and Interpretation Services) in understanding this contract?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541930 specifically categorizes businesses primarily engaged in providing translation and interpretation services. This code helps classify Legal Interpreting Services, Inc. within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. For analysts, it allows for benchmarking against other government contracts awarded under the same code, providing insights into typical contract values, durations, and pricing structures within this specialized industry. It also helps identify potential competitors and understand the market landscape for translation and interpretation services. The use of this specific NAICS code confirms the core service being procured is linguistic support, essential for effective cross-cultural communication in government operations.

What does the short performance period (21 days) suggest about the nature of this contract?

A performance period of only 21 days for a contract valued at $17.85 million strongly suggests that this is not for ongoing, routine services but rather for a specific, time-bound event, project, or a series of intensive engagements. This could include interpretation support for a major diplomatic summit, a critical negotiation, a short-term training program, or an urgent operational requirement. The short duration implies a need for rapid deployment of linguistic resources and potentially a high concentration of interpretation hours within that period. It also means that the contractor must be highly agile and capable of mobilizing resources quickly. From an oversight perspective, the short timeframe necessitates focused monitoring to ensure quality and compliance are maintained throughout the limited service delivery window.

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: 19GE5025R0110

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14850 CONFERENCE CENTER DR STE 200, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,852

Exercised Options: $17,852

Current Obligation: $17,852

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19GE5025D0126

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline