District of Columbia Courts Award $1.61M for Language Services, $0.64/Min for Spanish

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,100 ($16.1K)

Contractor: Language Line, LLC

Awarding Agency: District of Columbia Courts

Start Date: 2025-12-15

End Date: 2026-12-14

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $44/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FOR FY26 LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES TO PROVIDE TELEPHONE LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION & TRANSLATION SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE W/ TASK ORDER NO. CW123699 BASE YEAR RATES @ $0.64 PER MINUTE FOR SPANISH & $0.69 PER MINUTE FOR ALL OTHER LANGUAGES.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

District of Columbia Courts obligated $16,100 to LANGUAGE LINE, LLC for work described as: FOR FY26 LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES TO PROVIDE TELEPHONE LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION & TRANSLATION SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE W/ TASK ORDER NO. CW123699 BASE YEAR RATES @ $0.64 PER MINUTE FOR SPANISH & $0.69 PER MINUTE FOR ALL OTHER LANGUAGES. Key points: 1. Spending on language interpretation and translation services for the District of Columbia Courts. 2. Contract awarded to Language Line, LLC for a base year duration. 3. Potential for increased costs if usage exceeds projections or if rates are not competitive. 4. Services fall under the 'Translation and Interpretation Services' NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The per-minute rates of $0.64 for Spanish and $0.69 for other languages appear reasonable for specialized interpretation services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for language services would provide a more definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: $0.64 - $0.69 per minute

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a limited competition approach. While SAP can lead to efficiency for smaller procurements, it may not always yield the most competitive pricing compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential court services, ensuring access for non-English speakers. The cost-effectiveness depends on the actual utilization and the competitiveness achieved through the SAP process.

Public Impact

Ensures access to justice for individuals with limited English proficiency in DC Courts. Supports court operations by facilitating communication with diverse populations. Provides critical interpretation and translation for legal proceedings and administrative functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 44 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not guarantee the best price.
Potential for cost overruns if demand is higher than anticipated.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical services.

Positive Signals

Provides essential services to a diverse population.
Clear per-minute pricing structure.
Contract duration aligns with anticipated needs.

Sector Analysis

The District of Columbia Courts are procuring essential language services, a common need for government agencies serving diverse populations. Spending benchmarks for similar interpretation and translation services vary widely based on language, complexity, and service type (live interpretation vs. translation).

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the contract was awarded to Language Line, LLC, a large business. There is no explicit information regarding small business participation or subcontracting goals in this award notice.

Oversight & Accountability

The award is a purchase order, which is a standard method for procuring goods and services. Oversight would typically involve monitoring service delivery, invoice accuracy, and adherence to contract terms by the District of Columbia Courts.

Related Government Programs

Translation and Interpretation Services
District of Columbia Courts Contracting
District of Columbia Courts Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Lack of projected volume makes total cost assessment difficult.
No explicit quality assurance metrics mentioned.
Potential for vendor lock-in if future needs arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

District of Columbia Courts awarded $16,100 to LANGUAGE LINE, LLC. FOR FY26 LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES TO PROVIDE TELEPHONE LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION & TRANSLATION SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE W/ TASK ORDER NO. CW123699 BASE YEAR RATES @ $0.64 PER MINUTE FOR SPANISH & $0.69 PER MINUTE FOR ALL OTHER LANGUAGES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LANGUAGE LINE, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: District of Columbia Courts (District of Columbia Courts).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16,100.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-15. End: 2026-12-14.

What is the projected annual volume of minutes for interpretation and translation services?

The provided data does not specify the projected annual volume of minutes. This information is crucial for fully assessing the total contract value and comparing the per-minute rates against industry benchmarks. Without volume data, it's difficult to determine if the $1.61M award represents efficient spending or if actual costs could significantly deviate.

How does the per-minute rate compare to other federal or state court systems for similar services?

Benchmarking the $0.64-$0.69 per-minute rate against similar contracts within federal or state court systems is essential for evaluating value. Rates can fluctuate based on language, time of day, and service type (e.g., over-the-phone vs. in-person). A comprehensive comparison would reveal if this pricing is competitive or if opportunities exist for cost savings.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the quality and accuracy of the interpretation and translation services provided?

The contract details do not explicitly outline quality assurance mechanisms. Effective oversight should include performance metrics, client feedback channels, and potentially random audits of interpretation sessions or translated documents. Ensuring high-quality service is paramount given the critical nature of legal proceedings and the potential impact of errors.

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

Parent Company: Teleperformance SE

Address: 1 LOWER RAGSDALE DR BLDG 2, MONTEREY, CA, 93940

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,100

Exercised Options: $16,100

Current Obligation: $16,100

Actual Outlays: $3,667

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline