Treasury's Fiscal Service Awards $20M for Sign Language Services, Ensuring Accessibility

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,000 ($20.0K)

Contractor: Mid-Atlantic Interpreting Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2025-08-01

End Date: 2027-07-31

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SIGN LANGUAGE SERVICES - SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING (SLI) AND VIDEO REMOTE INTERPRETING (VRI) SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ELKRIDGE, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 21075

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $20,000 to MID-ATLANTIC INTERPRETING GROUP, INC. for work described as: SIGN LANGUAGE SERVICES - SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING (SLI) AND VIDEO REMOTE INTERPRETING (VRI) SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Mid-Atlantic Interpreting Group, Inc. for SLI and VRI services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is 729 days, ending July 31, 2027. 4. Firm fixed price contract type aims to control costs. 5. Services are for Maryland locations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract is a delivery order under an existing contract, indicating potential for pre-negotiated rates. Without specific pricing details for the base contract or comparable delivery orders, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, the firm fixed price structure suggests an effort to establish clear cost expectations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically allows all responsible sources to submit bids. This method is expected to foster price discovery and potentially lead to more competitive pricing compared to limited or sole-source procurements.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple bidders, driving down costs and ensuring value for money.

Public Impact

Ensures vital communication access for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing within the Department of the Treasury. Supports federal agency compliance with accessibility mandates and promotes inclusivity. Facilitates effective communication for government services and interactions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics for interpreting quality.
Potential for increased demand impacting service availability.
Geographic concentration of services in Maryland.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition promotes market efficiency.
Long-term contract ensures continuity of essential services.

Sector Analysis

The Translation and Interpretation Services sector (NAICS 541930) is crucial for government operations requiring multilingual communication. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on service type and duration, but this $20M award for interpreting services over two years appears to be a significant investment in accessibility.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, there is no specific indication of small business participation or set-asides in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to compete or were subcontracted.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it may be part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. Oversight would involve monitoring the performance of Mid-Atlantic Interpreting Group, Inc. against the terms of the delivery order and ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations.

Related Government Programs

Translation and Interpretation Services
Department of the Treasury Contracting
Bureau of the Fiscal Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if performance is satisfactory.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical accessibility services.
Limited visibility into specific per-unit costs.
No explicit small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $20,000 to MID-ATLANTIC INTERPRETING GROUP, INC.. SIGN LANGUAGE SERVICES - SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING (SLI) AND VIDEO REMOTE INTERPRETING (VRI) SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MID-ATLANTIC INTERPRETING GROUP, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Bureau of the Fiscal Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-01. End: 2027-07-31.

What is the average hourly or daily rate for SLI/VRI services under this contract, and how does it compare to market rates?

The provided data does not include specific hourly or daily rates for the sign language services. To assess value, these rates would need to be compared against industry benchmarks for certified interpreters in the Maryland region. Factors like interpreter certification level, VRI technology costs, and service demand influence market rates, making direct comparison essential for a thorough value assessment.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for a two-year period for critical communication services?

Risks include potential service disruptions if the vendor faces staffing shortages or operational issues. Vendor performance degradation over time is also a concern. Furthermore, a lack of ongoing competition could lead to complacency and potentially less favorable pricing in future renewals. Ensuring robust performance standards and contingency plans within the contract can mitigate some of these risks.

How effectively will these services meet the diverse communication needs of Treasury employees and the public across various scenarios?

The effectiveness hinges on the vendor's ability to provide qualified interpreters for diverse settings (in-person, VRI) and specialized needs (e.g., technical vocabulary). Success requires clear service level agreements, ongoing performance monitoring, and feedback mechanisms from users. The contract's scope and the vendor's track record in similar federal engagements will be key indicators of effectiveness.

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: 20341225Q00008

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mid-Atlantic Interpreting Group Inc.

Address: 6401 MACAW CT, ELKRIDGE, MD, 21075

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned 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: $50,000

Exercised Options: $20,000

Current Obligation: $20,000

Actual Outlays: $796

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F143AA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline