VA awards $4,134 ASL support contract to Purple Communications, Inc. for off-site event

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,135 ($4.1K)

Contractor: Purple Communications, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2023-08-30

End Date: 2026-04-09

Contract Duration: 953 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDED AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) SUPPORT FOR VBA LEADERSHIP ATTENDEE OF AN ORGANIZATIONAL OFF-SITE CONDUCTED 30-31 AUGUST 2023.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20006

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $4,134.82 to PURPLE COMMUNICATIONS, INC for work described as: PROVIDED AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) SUPPORT FOR VBA LEADERSHIP ATTENDEE OF AN ORGANIZATIONAL OFF-SITE CONDUCTED 30-31 AUGUST 2023. Key points: 1. Contract provides specialized ASL interpretation services for a key VA leadership event. 2. The award was made on a non-competitive basis, raising questions about potential cost savings. 3. Limited competition may impact the government's ability to secure the most favorable pricing. 4. The contract duration extends beyond the initial event, suggesting potential for ongoing support. 5. The service category aligns with a broader need for accessibility in federal communications. 6. Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty for this specific service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4,134 for a two-day event is relatively small. Benchmarking ASL interpretation services is challenging due to variability in service levels, duration, and interpreter qualifications. However, given the limited scope and duration, the price appears within a reasonable range for specialized, on-demand services. Without more comparable contracts for similar high-level executive support, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a 'not available for competition' basis, indicating that the VA likely identified a specific need or contractor that could not be met through a competitive process. This could be due to specialized skills, urgent requirements, or existing relationships. The lack of competition means that the government did not explore options from multiple vendors, potentially missing out on better pricing or service offerings.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can sometimes lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the incentive for competitive pricing is absent. Transparency in the justification for non-competition is crucial to ensure funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Provides essential communication access for Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals within VA leadership. Ensures effective participation and engagement for attendees requiring ASL interpretation at an organizational off-site. Supports the VA's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by facilitating communication. The services delivered directly benefit VA leadership by enabling full participation in strategic discussions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price discovery and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Justification for sole-source award needs thorough review to ensure necessity.
Contract duration extends beyond the initial event, requiring monitoring of ongoing need and value.

Positive Signals

Provides critical accessibility services, fulfilling an important inclusionary requirement.
Fixed-price contract offers budget predictability for the specified services.
Contract supports a specific, defined event, limiting scope creep.

Sector Analysis

The Translation and Interpretation Services sector (NAICS 541930) encompasses a range of language support services. Federal agencies increasingly require these services to ensure compliance with accessibility mandates and to facilitate communication with diverse populations. While this specific contract is for ASL interpretation for an internal event, it falls within a broader market that includes translation, interpretation, and localization services for various government functions. The market is characterized by both large, diversified service providers and smaller, specialized firms.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to Purple Communications, Inc., a known provider of communication services. As this was a sole-source award, there is no direct indication of small business subcontracting opportunities arising from this specific procurement. The contract does not appear to be a small business set-aside. Future procurements in this category could explore set-aside options if suitable small businesses possess the required specialized ASL interpretation capabilities.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Purchase Order, which typically falls under the oversight of the issuing agency's contracting officer and relevant program managers. The Department of Veterans Affairs has established procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award is key to accountability. The Inspector General's office could review such awards if concerns regarding waste, fraud, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

VA Accessibility Services
Federal Communication Services
ASL Interpretation Contracts
Executive Support Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award requires strong justification.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
Need to monitor contract performance and necessity beyond initial event.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $4,134.82 to PURPLE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PROVIDED AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) SUPPORT FOR VBA LEADERSHIP ATTENDEE OF AN ORGANIZATIONAL OFF-SITE CONDUCTED 30-31 AUGUST 2023.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PURPLE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4,134.82.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-30. End: 2026-04-09.

What is the track record of Purple Communications, Inc. in providing ASL interpretation services to the federal government?

Purple Communications, Inc. is a significant provider of telecommunications relay services, including ASL interpretation, for both government and commercial clients. They are known for their Video Relay Service (VRS) and other communication access solutions. While specific contract details for federal ASL interpretation services beyond this award are not immediately available in this dataset, their presence in the market suggests experience. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would reveal the extent of their federal contract history, including past performance ratings and any issues encountered on previous awards. This would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and capability for similar future requirements.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar ASL interpretation services for federal events?

Benchmarking the cost of this $4,134 contract for ASL support for a two-day off-site event is challenging without more specific data points. Factors influencing cost include the number of interpreters, their qualifications (e.g., certified ASL interpreters), the duration of services, and any specialized requirements for the event. Typically, daily rates for certified ASL interpreters can range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars per day, depending on these factors. Given the relatively short duration and the specific nature of supporting VA leadership, this price appears to be within a plausible range. However, the lack of competitive bidding prevents a definitive assessment of whether it represents optimal value for money compared to what could have been achieved through a competitive process.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for specialized interpretation services?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for specialized interpretation services include potential overpayment due to the absence of competitive pricing pressure, limited innovation from a lack of vendor diversity, and a reduced incentive for the awarded contractor to maintain high service quality or efficiency. Taxpayers may not receive the best value for their money. Furthermore, relying on a single source can create a vulnerability if that contractor experiences performance issues, financial instability, or is unable to fulfill the contract. It also limits opportunities for small businesses that might otherwise compete for such services. Robust justification and oversight are critical to mitigate these risks.

What is the expected effectiveness of the ASL support in achieving the goals of the VA leadership off-site?

The effectiveness of the ASL support is directly tied to ensuring full and equitable participation of any Deaf or hard-of-hearing VA leadership attendees at the off-site. By providing qualified ASL interpreters, the contract aims to remove communication barriers, allowing all participants to engage fully in discussions, decision-making, and strategic planning. This fosters an inclusive environment and ensures that the insights and contributions of all leaders are heard and considered. The success of the off-site's objectives is thus enhanced by the provision of this essential accessibility service, promoting better outcomes through comprehensive leadership engagement.

What has been the historical spending by the VA on ASL interpretation and related accessibility services?

Historical spending data for ASL interpretation and related accessibility services by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is not detailed in the provided information. However, federal agencies, including the VA, are increasingly focused on enhancing accessibility for individuals with disabilities, in line with legislative mandates such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. This trend suggests a growing requirement and, likely, an increasing allocation of funds towards services like ASL interpretation, captioning, and accessible technology. Comprehensive analysis would require examining historical contract databases to identify trends in spending on these specific services across different VA administrations and program offices.

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: 36C10D26Q0074

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13620 RANCH ROAD 620 N STE 100FM, AUSTIN, TX, 78717

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,135

Exercised Options: $4,135

Current Obligation: $4,135

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline