Deaf Access Solutions awarded $4.4M for sign language interpreting, highlighting full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,434,757 ($4.4M)

Contractor: Deaf Access Solutions, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-02-08

End Date: 2027-02-07

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20824

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $4.4 million to DEAF ACCESS SOLUTIONS, INC for work described as: SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. 3. The contract duration of 729 days allows for sustained service delivery. 4. The award to Deaf Access Solutions, Inc. indicates a focus on specialized service providers. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541930 places this within translation and interpretation services. 6. The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle or framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.4 million over approximately two years appears reasonable for specialized sign language interpreting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts is challenging without more specific details on service levels and geographic scope. However, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be advantageous for the government if managed effectively. The award was made through full and open competition, which typically leads to more competitive pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 5 bidders indicates a healthy level of competition for these specialized services. This competitive environment is expected to drive price discovery and ensure the government receives a fair market price for the interpreting services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure the most cost-effective solution for essential sign language interpreting services.

Public Impact

Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing will benefit from accessible communication through sign language interpreters. Services will be delivered across Medicare and Medicaid programs, ensuring compliance and accessibility for beneficiaries. The contract is geographically focused on Maryland (MD), impacting services within that state. The contract supports a specialized workforce of sign language interpreters, contributing to employment in this field.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for increased demand on interpreters due to sustained contract.
Ensuring consistent quality of interpretation across all services.
Geographic limitation to Maryland may not cover all federal needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating broad market engagement.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Longer contract duration allows for stable service provision.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically under translation and interpretation services (NAICS 541930). This sector is crucial for government operations requiring multilingual communication and accessibility. The market for these services is driven by regulatory requirements, global engagement, and the need to serve diverse populations. Comparable spending in this area can vary widely based on the scope and duration of services required by different agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award was made through full and open competition, suggesting that both large and small businesses had the opportunity to bid. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were among the bidders or if subcontracting opportunities exist within the awarded contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is responsible for overseeing this contract. As a delivery order, it likely falls under a broader IDIQ contract with its own oversight mechanisms. The firm-fixed-price nature provides a degree of financial oversight by capping costs. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, and any specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the overarching IDIQ contract or specific CMS policies.

Related Government Programs

Federal Sign Language Interpreting Services
Government Translation and Interpretation Contracts
CMS Accessibility Services
Department of Health and Human Services Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for quality degradation if contractor underbids.
Geographic limitation may require additional contracts for broader coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $4.4 million to DEAF ACCESS SOLUTIONS, INC. SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DEAF ACCESS SOLUTIONS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-08. End: 2027-02-07.

What is the historical spending pattern for sign language interpreting services by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services?

Analyzing historical spending for sign language interpreting services by CMS requires access to detailed federal procurement data over multiple fiscal years. While this specific contract is valued at $4.4 million, understanding the broader trend involves looking at previous awards, contract types (e.g., IDIQ, fixed-price), and the number of contractors utilized. A trend of increasing or decreasing spending could indicate shifts in demand, policy priorities, or the effectiveness of competitive sourcing strategies. For instance, if spending has been consistently high or increasing, it might suggest a growing need for these services or a reliance on a limited number of providers. Conversely, a decrease could signal improved efficiency or a consolidation of services. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to establish a definitive pattern, but the current award suggests a significant, ongoing investment in this area.

How does the number of bidders (5) compare to typical competition levels for similar federal translation and interpretation contracts?

A competition level of 5 bidders for a federal contract, particularly for specialized services like sign language interpreting, is generally considered moderate to good. Full and open competition is the ideal scenario, and having multiple bidders suggests that the market is responsive and that the solicitation was accessible. However, the 'typical' competition level can vary significantly based on the specific NAICS code, the geographic scope, the contract's dollar value, and the required technical expertise. For highly specialized niches, 5 bidders might represent a robust competition. For broader services, it might be considered average. The key takeaway is that the government actively sought multiple offers, which is a positive indicator for price discovery and value for money, as opposed to a sole-source or limited competition award.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for interpreting services?

While firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts offer cost certainty for the government, they carry specific risks, primarily for the contractor. For interpreting services, the main risk to the contractor is underestimating the volume or complexity of the work required within the fixed price. If demand surges unexpectedly, or if the interpreting needs are more complex than anticipated (e.g., requiring specialized terminology or highly nuanced communication), the contractor may incur losses. Conversely, the government's risk is that the contractor might cut corners on quality to protect profit margins if they underestimated costs. Effective performance monitoring and clear service level agreements are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure quality is maintained despite the fixed-price structure.

What is the track record of Deaf Access Solutions, Inc. in performing federal contracts, particularly for interpreting services?

Assessing the track record of Deaf Access Solutions, Inc. requires examining their past performance on federal contracts. This includes reviewing contract awards, completion history, any reported performance issues, and customer satisfaction ratings if available through federal databases like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget contract completions, especially for similar interpreting or accessibility services, would indicate a lower performance risk. Conversely, a pattern of delays, cost overruns, or quality deficiencies would raise concerns. Without direct access to their specific performance data, it's assumed that the agency conducted due diligence during the procurement process, selecting a contractor deemed capable of meeting the requirements.

How does the $4.4 million contract value compare to the overall budget for accessibility services within CMS or HHS?

To compare the $4.4 million contract value to the overall budget for accessibility services within CMS or HHS, one would need access to the agencies' detailed budget allocations for fiscal years relevant to the contract period. Accessibility services, including sign language interpreting, are often funded through various program budgets rather than a single, consolidated line item. This contract likely supports specific programs or initiatives within CMS, such as those related to beneficiary services or compliance. If CMS's total budget is in the hundreds of billions, $4.4 million represents a relatively small but critical portion dedicated to ensuring communication access. Understanding its proportion helps gauge its strategic importance and the potential impact of any service disruptions.

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

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4813 LELAND ST, BETHESDA, MD, 20815

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,751,451

Exercised Options: $4,434,757

Current Obligation: $4,434,757

Actual Outlays: $1,390,098

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(G)

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0168X

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline