DHS awards $2.1M for VRI & CART services, with 3 bidders competing for a 5-year contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $209,585 ($209.6K)

Contractor: THE Language Doctors, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-11-24

End Date: 2026-11-23

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $115/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ADA SERVICES - VIDEO REMOTE INTERPRETATION & COMMUNICATION ACCESS REAL-TIME TRANSLATION (VRI & CART)

Place of Performance

Location: CAMP SPRINGS, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20588

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $209,584.6 to THE LANGUAGE DOCTORS, INC for work described as: ADA SERVICES - VIDEO REMOTE INTERPRETATION & COMMUNICATION ACCESS REAL-TIME TRANSLATION (VRI & CART) Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the competitive nature of the award. 2. The contract was fully and openly competed, suggesting a healthy market. 3. Risk indicators are low due to fixed-price terms and a clear scope. 4. Performance context is established through a 5-year duration. 5. This contract fits within the broader IT and professional services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $2,095,846 over five years for VRI and CART services seems competitive. Benchmarking against similar contracts for language services indicates that pricing is likely within market norms, especially considering the specialized nature of real-time translation and interpretation. The firm-fixed-price structure further supports value by shifting cost risk to the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with three distinct bidders vying for the opportunity. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that the market for these specialized language services is accessible and that the government received a range of proposals. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures that the government can select the most advantageous offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that likely drove down costs and ensured a fair price for essential communication access services.

Public Impact

Immigrants and non-native English speakers interacting with USCIS will benefit from enhanced communication access. Services include Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) and Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART). The geographic impact is national, supporting USCIS operations across various locations. The contract supports a specialized workforce in translation and interpretation services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized and difficult to switch.
Ensuring consistent quality of interpretation and translation across all USCIS interactions.
Managing the technical infrastructure required for reliable VRI and CART services.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating market availability and choice.
Firm-fixed-price contract type limits cost overruns for the government.
Long-term contract (5 years) provides stability for service delivery and planning.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on translation and interpretation. The market for these services is growing, driven by increasing globalization and legal/regulatory requirements for accessibility. Comparable spending benchmarks for language services vary widely based on complexity and volume, but a $2.1M award over five years for specialized real-time services suggests a moderate scale within this niche.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award went to The Language Doctors, Inc., a firm that may or may not be a small business itself, but the procurement mechanism did not prioritize small business participation. This means opportunities for small businesses in this specific contract are limited unless they are partners with the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is facilitated by the public award data, though ongoing performance monitoring details are typically internal.

Related Government Programs

Federal Language Services Contracts
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Support Services
Department of Justice - Translation Services
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contracts for Professional Services

Risk Flags

Potential for service quality variability
Dependence on contractor's technical infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $209,584.6 to THE LANGUAGE DOCTORS, INC. ADA SERVICES - VIDEO REMOTE INTERPRETATION & COMMUNICATION ACCESS REAL-TIME TRANSLATION (VRI & CART)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE LANGUAGE DOCTORS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $209,584.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-11-24. End: 2026-11-23.

What is the track record of The Language Doctors, Inc. with federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of The Language Doctors, Inc. with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. However, their selection for this Department of Homeland Security contract suggests they met the qualifications and competitive requirements set forth by USCIS. Further investigation into their past performance ratings, previous federal awards, and any reported issues would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record. This would typically involve reviewing contract databases and performance assessment reports.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar language services contracts?

Without specific line-item pricing or detailed service level agreements, a precise comparison is challenging. However, the total award of approximately $2.1 million over five years for VRI and CART services, awarded under full and open competition with three bidders, suggests competitive pricing. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract also implies that the government secured a defined cost for the services. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare the per-hour or per-service rates against other government contracts for similar specialized interpretation and real-time captioning services, considering factors like geographic coverage and service complexity.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the government?

The primary risks for the government in this contract are related to service quality and availability. While the firm-fixed-price structure mitigates cost overrun risks, ensuring the consistent accuracy and timeliness of interpretation and real-time translation is crucial for USCIS operations. Technical failures in the VRI or CART systems could also disrupt services. Additionally, reliance on a single contractor for five years, even with competition at award, carries a potential risk if the contractor's performance degrades over time or if unforeseen market shifts impact their ability to deliver.

How effective are VRI and CART services in supporting immigration services?

VRI and CART services are highly effective tools for supporting immigration services, particularly for individuals with limited English proficiency or hearing impairments. VRI allows for remote, real-time interpretation via video, overcoming geographical barriers and enabling immediate communication during interviews, consultations, and hearings. CART provides real-time text transcription of spoken language, which is essential for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. These technologies enhance accessibility, ensure accurate information exchange, and contribute to a more equitable and efficient immigration process.

What is the historical spending trend for translation and interpretation services at DHS?

Historical spending trends for translation and interpretation services at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are not detailed in the provided data. However, given the diverse mission of DHS, which includes interacting with a wide range of individuals from various linguistic backgrounds, it is reasonable to assume a consistent and potentially growing need for such services. Factors like immigration policy changes, national security requirements, and increased public engagement likely influence spending patterns in this category over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Translation and Interpretation Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70SBUR22Q00000010

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1910 TOWNE CENTRE BLVD, ANNAPOLIS, MD, 21401

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $209,585

Exercised Options: $209,585

Current Obligation: $209,585

Actual Outlays: $118,565

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA19D00BX

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline