NASA's $56.8K contract for sign language interpreters awarded to Translation Excellence Inc. under SLI Program
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $56,800 ($56.8K)
Contractor: Translation Excellence Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-04-18
End Date: 2027-04-13
Contract Duration: 725 days
Daily Burn Rate: $78/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CALL ORDER 6 UNDER SLI PROGRAM FOR SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS.
Place of Performance
Location: AURORA, ARAPAHOE County, COLORADO, 80014
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $56,800 to TRANSLATION EXCELLENCE INC. for work described as: CALL ORDER 6 UNDER SLI PROGRAM FOR SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized translation and interpretation services. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs. 3. Performance period spans over two years, indicating ongoing need. 4. Awarded under a BPA Call, suggesting a pre-competed framework. 5. Geographic location of service delivery is Colorado. 6. Contractor has a history of providing translation services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $56,800 for 725 days of service appears reasonable for specialized interpretation services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for translation and interpretation services indicates that pricing for these niche skills can vary significantly. Without specific details on the number of hours or types of interpretation required, a precise per-unit cost comparison is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the agency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process for awards below certain thresholds. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation suggests that multiple offers were solicited and considered. This level of competition, even under SAP, generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government compared to sole-source awards.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even under simplified procedures, helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.
Public Impact
Provides essential sign language interpretation services to NASA personnel and potentially visitors. Ensures accessibility and effective communication for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing within the agency. Supports NASA's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Services are to be delivered in Colorado, impacting the local workforce and economy.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited public information on the specific scope of services and required qualifications for interpreters.
- Potential for increased costs if demand for services exceeds initial projections within the BPA framework.
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a contractor with existing experience in translation services.
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget predictability.
- Contract is part of a larger BPA, suggesting a streamlined procurement process for ongoing needs.
Sector Analysis
The Translation and Interpretation Services sector (NAICS 541930) is a growing market driven by globalization and increasing diversity. Federal agencies frequently require these services for various operational needs, including communication with non-English speakers and individuals with disabilities. Spending in this sector is distributed across numerous agencies, with significant portions allocated to language services, transcription, and interpretation. This contract represents a small but vital component of federal spending on specialized communication support.
Small Business Impact
Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans for this specific call order was not provided. As the award was made under SAP and not explicitly designated as a small business set-aside, it is unclear if small businesses were specifically targeted or benefited directly from this particular award. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would fall under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a firm fixed-price contract awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call Order, performance monitoring and quality assurance are key oversight mechanisms. The agency is responsible for ensuring the contractor meets the service requirements and adheres to the terms of the agreement. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are typically internal.
Related Government Programs
- SLI Program
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- NASA Acquisition Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for service quality variability
- Dependence on contractor's ability to source qualified personnel
Tags
translation-and-interpretation-services, sign-language-interpreters, nasa, competed-under-sap, firm-fixed-price, bpa-call-order, colorado, naics-541930, specialized-services, accessibility
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $56,800 to TRANSLATION EXCELLENCE INC.. CALL ORDER 6 UNDER SLI PROGRAM FOR SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TRANSLATION EXCELLENCE INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $56,800.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-04-18. End: 2027-04-13.
What is the track record of Translation Excellence Inc. in providing sign language interpretation services to federal agencies?
Translation Excellence Inc. has a documented history of providing translation and interpretation services. While specific details on the volume and scope of their sign language interpretation work for federal agencies are not readily available in the provided data, their award under this NASA contract suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. Further investigation into their past performance reports and contract history with other government entities would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record in this specialized area. It is common for companies in this sector to hold multiple federal contracts, indicating a level of established capability.
How does the cost of this contract compare to similar federal contracts for sign language interpretation services?
Directly comparing the cost of this $56,800 contract for sign language interpreters to similar federal contracts is challenging without more granular data on the specific services rendered (e.g., hours, types of interpretation, location-specific rates). However, the contract's firm fixed-price nature for a 725-day period suggests a budgeted amount for anticipated needs. The market for specialized interpretation services can fluctuate based on demand, interpreter qualifications, and geographic location. Generally, federal agencies aim to secure competitive rates through established procurement vehicles like Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs), which this contract utilizes. Benchmarking would ideally involve analyzing per-hour rates or daily rates for comparable services across different agencies and contract types.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
Key risks for this contract include potential service quality issues if interpreters lack the necessary skills or certifications, and the risk of cost overruns if the demand for services significantly exceeds the contracted amount, although the firm fixed-price structure aims to mitigate this. Another risk could be the availability of qualified interpreters in the specified geographic area (Colorado). Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous vetting of the contractor's qualifications prior to award, clear performance standards outlined in the contract, and ongoing monitoring of service delivery by NASA. The use of a BPA framework may also imply pre-negotiated terms that include quality assurance provisions.
How effective is the SLI Program in meeting the federal government's need for sign language interpretation services?
The effectiveness of the SLI (Sign Language Interpretation) Program, under which this contract falls, can be assessed by its ability to consistently provide qualified interpreters to federal agencies, thereby ensuring accessibility and compliance with disability regulations. The program's success relies on efficient procurement processes, a robust pool of certified interpreters, and effective contract management. Awards made through the SLI Program indicate a recognized need and an established mechanism to fulfill it. However, the overall effectiveness would be better understood by examining the program's utilization rates, client satisfaction feedback, and the timeliness and quality of services delivered across all its call orders.
What is the historical spending pattern for translation and interpretation services at NASA?
Historical spending patterns for translation and interpretation services at NASA would reveal the agency's consistent or fluctuating reliance on such services. Analyzing past contract awards in NAICS code 541930 (Translation and Interpretation Services) for NASA would indicate the typical contract values, durations, and types of services procured. This specific $56.8K call order is a relatively small expenditure within the broader context of federal agency budgets. Understanding historical spending can help identify trends, potential budget predictability, and the agency's strategic allocation of resources towards communication accessibility and diverse workforce support.
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: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3300 S PARKER RD, 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: $98,472
Exercised Options: $90,792
Current Obligation: $56,800
Actual Outlays: $5,264
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80NSSC22AA012
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-04-18
Current End Date: 2027-04-13
Potential End Date: 2027-04-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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