HHS awards $4.14M for language services, including telehealth and document translation, to Ad Astra, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,140,390 ($4.1M)
Contractor: AD Astra, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2022-07-20
End Date: 2026-07-31
Contract Duration: 1,472 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: ON-SITE LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION, VIDEO TELEHEALTH, AND DOCUMENT TRANSLATION
Place of Performance
Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $4.1 million to AD ASTRA, INC. for work described as: ON-SITE LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION, VIDEO TELEHEALTH, AND DOCUMENT TRANSLATION Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential language services, supporting diverse populations. 2. Ad Astra, Inc. is the sole awardee for this delivery order. 3. The contract duration is over three years, indicating a sustained need. 4. The spending falls under Translation and Interpretation Services (NAICS 541930).
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $4.14M over three years appears reasonable for comprehensive language services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for interpretation and translation services would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method is expected to yield fair market prices.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of competitive bidding aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary language services.
Public Impact
Ensures access to healthcare for non-English speakers through telehealth and document translation. Supports federal agencies in communicating effectively with diverse communities. Facilitates understanding and compliance for individuals interacting with government services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for increased demand impacting future costs.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical services.
Positive Signals
- Supports accessibility and inclusion initiatives.
- Utilizes a competitive procurement process.
- Addresses a clear and ongoing need for language services.
Sector Analysis
The Translation and Interpretation Services sector (NAICS 541930) is crucial for government agencies serving diverse populations. Spending in this area is generally stable, driven by regulatory requirements and demographic shifts.
Small Business Impact
While this specific award went to Ad Astra, Inc., the 'full and open competition' nature of the procurement allows for small business participation, either as prime contractors or subcontractors, depending on their capabilities and bidding strategy.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The use of a delivery order under a larger contract framework allows for task-specific monitoring and accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Vendor concentration risk
- Potential for scope creep
- Dependence on specific language expertise
- Ensuring consistent quality across diverse services
Tags
translation-and-interpretation-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $4.1 million to AD ASTRA, INC.. ON-SITE LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION, VIDEO TELEHEALTH, AND DOCUMENT TRANSLATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AD ASTRA, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $4.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-07-20. End: 2026-07-31.
What is the projected volume of interpretation and translation services required under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the projected volume of services. Understanding the anticipated usage for on-site interpretation, video telehealth, and document translation would be crucial for assessing the value and efficiency of the $4.14M award. Further analysis would require access to task order details or performance metrics.
Are there specific performance metrics or quality standards tied to this contract to ensure effective service delivery?
The data indicates a 'FIRM FIXED PRICE' contract type, which typically includes performance standards. However, specific metrics for interpretation accuracy, translation quality, and telehealth availability are not detailed here. Effective oversight would involve monitoring adherence to these standards to ensure the government receives high-quality language services.
What is the potential for vendor lock-in or future price increases given the multi-year duration?
With a duration extending to July 2026, there is a potential for vendor lock-in if alternatives are not actively sought. The firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty for the current period, but future contract renewals or extensions could be subject to market rate adjustments. Continuous market research is advisable.
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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: AD Astra Inc.
Address: 8701 GEORGIA AVE STE 808, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,140,390
Exercised Options: $4,140,390
Current Obligation: $4,140,390
Actual Outlays: $3,636,726
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS10F177AA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-07-20
Current End Date: 2026-07-31
Potential End Date: 2026-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-27
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