Nuclear Regulatory Commission awards $4.5M contract for sign language and transcription services to Translation Excellence Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,488,612 ($4.5M)

Contractor: Translation Excellence Inc.

Awarding Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Start Date: 2021-08-31

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SIGN LANGUAGE AND TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20852

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Nuclear Regulatory Commission obligated $4.5 million to TRANSLATION EXCELLENCE INC. for work described as: SIGN LANGUAGE AND TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting potential for competitive pricing. 2. The contract duration of 1826 days (5 years) suggests a long-term need for these specialized services. 3. The contractor, Translation Excellence Inc., has a track record that warrants review for performance and past pricing. 4. The services provided are critical for accessibility and compliance, indicating a high-value need. 5. The contract type (Time and Materials) can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored. 6. The geographic location of the contractor in Maryland may influence local economic impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $4.5 million over five years for sign language and transcription services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. However, without competitive bidding, it is difficult to benchmark against market rates or assess if the government secured the best possible price. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not managed diligently through robust oversight and clear task orders. Further analysis of the contractor's historical performance and pricing on similar contracts would be beneficial.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is typically used when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the requirement. The lack of competition means that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission did not benefit from the price discovery and potential cost savings that a competitive bidding process could have provided. The justification for this sole-source award needs to be thoroughly examined to ensure it was appropriate and that alternatives were considered.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government may not achieve the most favorable pricing compared to a competitive environment. This limits the government's leverage in price negotiations.

Public Impact

Provides essential accessibility services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing interacting with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Ensures compliance with federal mandates for providing reasonable accommodations and accessible communication. Supports the operational needs of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by facilitating clear communication in various settings. The services are delivered primarily within Maryland, potentially impacting the local economy through employment and business activity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
Time and Materials contract type poses a risk of cost overruns without strict oversight.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source award.
Limited data available on contractor's past performance and pricing benchmarks.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for accessibility and communication services.
Contract duration indicates a stable, long-term requirement.
Contractor is providing specialized services essential for regulatory functions.

Sector Analysis

The market for translation and interpretation services, including specialized areas like sign language and transcription, is diverse. This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically catering to government needs for communication accessibility. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541930 (Translation and Interpretation Services) encompasses a range of providers. Government spending in this area is driven by legal and regulatory requirements for accessibility and effective communication across various agencies. Benchmarking this contract's value would require comparing it to similar sole-source or competitively awarded contracts for specialized transcription and sign language services within the federal government.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract includes a small business set-aside. The award to Translation Excellence Inc., a single entity, does not provide immediate insight into subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. Further investigation into the contractor's subcontracting plan, if applicable, would be necessary to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem. Without a competitive process or specific set-aside provisions, the direct benefit to small businesses through this particular contract is uncertain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's contracting and program management offices. As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs is crucial to prevent overspending. The contract's duration and sole-source nature necessitate strong accountability measures to ensure the contractor is delivering services as specified and at a fair price. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award and performance metrics would enhance public accountability.

Related Government Programs

Federal Communication Accessibility Services
Government Transcription Services
Sign Language Interpretation Contracts
Agency Accessibility Programs
Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Time and Materials contract type poses cost overrun risk.
Limited public data on contractor performance and pricing benchmarks.
Potential for inefficiency due to long contract duration and T&M structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Nuclear Regulatory Commission awarded $4.5 million to TRANSLATION EXCELLENCE INC.. SIGN LANGUAGE AND TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRANSLATION EXCELLENCE INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Nuclear Regulatory Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-31. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the specific justification provided by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is a common designation for sole-source procurements. Typically, agencies justify sole-source awards based on factors such as the urgency of the need, the unavailability of other sources, or when only one contractor possesses the unique capabilities required. For this specific contract, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would have had to document why Translation Excellence Inc. was the only viable option. This justification is critical for ensuring taxpayer funds are used appropriately and that competition was not unnecessarily excluded. Without access to the agency's specific justification documentation, it is impossible to fully assess the validity of the sole-source determination.

How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) compare to other federal contracts for similar transcription and sign language services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are common for services where the extent or duration of the work cannot be predetermined. However, they carry a higher risk of cost escalation compared to fixed-price contracts. For transcription and sign language services, T&M contracts allow flexibility in accommodating varying demand or unforeseen complexities in the source material. To assess value, T&M rates for labor categories (e.g., transcriptionists, sign language interpreters) should be benchmarked against industry standards and rates paid on other government contracts. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission should have established ceiling prices and closely monitor hours billed to ensure cost-effectiveness. A comparison would involve analyzing average hourly rates for similar roles across different agencies and contract types.

What is the track record of Translation Excellence Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly regarding performance and past pricing?

Assessing the track record of Translation Excellence Inc. is crucial for understanding the potential risks and value associated with this $4.5 million contract. Information regarding past performance, such as on-time delivery, quality of services, and adherence to contract terms, would be available through sources like the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS). Analyzing their history on previous government contracts, especially those with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or similar agencies, can reveal patterns in their performance and pricing. If the contractor has a history of cost overruns, performance issues, or disputes on prior contracts, it would raise concerns about the current award's reliability and value for money.

What are the potential risks associated with the 5-year duration of this contract and the Time and Materials pricing model?

The 5-year duration (1826 days) combined with a Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model presents several risks. Firstly, T&M contracts inherently lack a fixed price, meaning the total cost is determined by the actual labor hours and material costs incurred. This can lead to cost overruns if the scope of work expands or if labor hours are not meticulously tracked and justified. Over a 5-year period, the potential for cumulative cost increases is significant. Secondly, a long-term T&M contract might disincentivize the contractor from optimizing efficiency, as more hours worked directly translate to more revenue. Robust oversight, clear task order definitions, and regular performance reviews are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value throughout the contract's life.

How does this contract align with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's overall spending on accessibility and communication services?

To understand the significance of this $4.5 million contract, it's important to contextualize it within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's broader spending patterns. Analyzing historical data on the agency's expenditures for sign language, transcription, translation, and other accessibility-related services would provide valuable insights. Is this contract an outlier in terms of value or duration, or does it represent a consistent level of investment in these services? Understanding this historical context can help determine if the current spending is appropriate, if there have been significant increases or decreases, and whether the agency is effectively managing its budget for these essential support functions. This comparison helps in assessing the overall efficiency and strategic allocation of resources.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 31310021R0033

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3300 S PARKER RD STE 200, AURORA, CO, 80014

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,499,965

Exercised Options: $4,499,965

Current Obligation: $4,488,612

Actual Outlays: $4,242,062

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline