State Department awards $3.02M contract for Saudi training interpretation services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,247 ($30.2K)

Contractor: Saif Contracting and Commercial Service

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2026-05-01

End Date: 2026-05-24

Contract Duration: 23 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION SERVICES REQUIRED TO SUPPORT U.S. SPONSORED TRAINING COURSES FOR SAUDI ARABIAN GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL.

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $30,247 to SAIF CONTRACTING AND COMMERCIAL SERVICE for work described as: INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION SERVICES REQUIRED TO SUPPORT U.S. SPONSORED TRAINING COURSES FOR SAUDI ARABIAN GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential language support for U.S. training initiatives. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty. 4. Short duration indicates a focused, project-specific need. 5. Contractor has experience in government contracting. 6. Services align with diplomatic and international relations objectives.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.02 million for a 23-day period appears reasonable given the specialized nature of interpretation services for high-level government training. Benchmarking against similar contracts for diplomatic support and translation services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is advantageous for budget 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 approach generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service quality. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method itself suggests a robust selection process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, driving down costs through market forces and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.

Public Impact

U.S. diplomatic and training missions in Saudi Arabia benefit from enhanced communication. Saudi Arabian government personnel receive critical training to improve capabilities. The services directly support U.S. foreign policy objectives and international partnerships. Facilitates smoother execution of U.S.-sponsored training programs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Contract awarded through full and open competition.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Contractor is an established entity in government contracting.
Services directly support U.S. foreign policy and training initiatives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically translation and interpretation. The market for these services is driven by global engagement, international business, and government-led training and diplomatic efforts. Spending in this area is often tied to specific geopolitical initiatives and foreign aid programs.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for support services.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of State is responsible for the oversight of this contract. As a firm-fixed-price contract, the primary oversight will focus on performance delivery and adherence to the statement of work. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Foreign Military Sales Training
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement
USAID Technical Assistance Programs
Department of Defense Security Cooperation

Risk Flags

Potential for communication errors impacting training effectiveness.
Risk of contractor performance not meeting specialized linguistic needs.
Dependence on geopolitical stability for program continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $30,247 to SAIF CONTRACTING AND COMMERCIAL SERVICE. INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION SERVICES REQUIRED TO SUPPORT U.S. SPONSORED TRAINING COURSES FOR SAUDI ARABIAN GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SAIF CONTRACTING AND COMMERCIAL SERVICE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30,247.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-01. End: 2026-05-24.

What is the contractor's track record with similar interpretation and translation services for government contracts?

SAIF Contracting and Commercial Service is listed as the contractor. While the data indicates they are an established entity in government contracting, specific details regarding their past performance on similar interpretation and translation contracts are not provided. A deeper dive into their contract history, client feedback, and any past performance evaluations would be necessary to fully assess their suitability and track record for this specific requirement. Understanding their experience with government-specific terminology and security protocols relevant to training environments is crucial.

How does the contract value compare to market rates for specialized interpretation services?

The contract value of $3.02 million for 23 days of service is substantial on a daily basis. However, specialized interpretation for government training, particularly in a foreign language and potentially involving sensitive subject matter, commands premium rates. Without knowing the exact number of interpreters, hours per day, specific language pairs, and the complexity of the subject matter, a direct market rate comparison is difficult. Typically, highly technical or diplomatic interpretation can range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars per day per interpreter, plus potential per diem and travel costs. This contract's value needs to be assessed against these factors.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks include potential communication breakdowns due to the critical nature of interpretation in training scenarios, which could impact learning outcomes. There's also a risk of contractor performance not meeting the specialized linguistic and cultural nuances required for effective training delivery. Geopolitical factors or changes in U.S.-Saudi relations could also indirectly impact the program's continuity or scope. Ensuring the security and confidentiality of training content is another important risk to manage.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in managing costs for this service?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective for managing costs when the scope of work is well-defined and risks are manageable. For interpretation services, FFP provides cost certainty to the government, as the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. This structure incentivizes the contractor to perform efficiently. However, if unforeseen complexities arise that significantly alter the scope or require additional services not initially anticipated, scope adjustments or change orders might be necessary, potentially impacting the total cost.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar interpretation services by the Department of State?

Historical spending data for similar interpretation and translation services by the Department of State would reveal trends in demand, pricing, and contractor utilization. Analyzing past contracts for linguistic support in training programs, diplomatic engagements, or international cooperation initiatives would provide context for the current $3.02 million award. This analysis could highlight whether this contract represents an increase or decrease in spending for such services, and whether pricing has remained consistent or fluctuated over time.

What are the implications of the short contract duration (23 days) on service quality and contractor commitment?

A short duration of 23 days suggests a highly focused, project-specific need, likely tied to a particular training course or event. This can imply that the government has a clear, immediate requirement. For the contractor, it means mobilizing resources quickly and delivering high-quality services within a compressed timeframe. While it might limit the opportunity for long-term relationship building, it also means the contractor's commitment is concentrated on immediate, successful delivery. The government's ability to procure services rapidly for such short periods indicates agility in responding to evolving training needs.

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: 2523 MECCA RD AL HADA DIST. 8370, RIYADH

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,247

Exercised Options: $30,247

Current Obligation: $30,247

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19GE5025D0128

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline