DoD Awards $17M Contract for Linguistic Services to GB3TS, LLC, with No Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,045,187 ($17.0M)
Contractor: Gb3ts, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-01-23
End Date: 2025-08-26
Contract Duration: 2,042 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: LINGUISTIC SERVICES FOR USCENTCOM.
Place of Performance
Location: TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH County, FLORIDA, 33606
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $17.0 million to GB3TS, LLC for work described as: LINGUISTIC SERVICES FOR USCENTCOM. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to GB3TS, LLC for linguistic services. 2. Total contract value is $17,045,187.05. 3. The contract was not competed under SAP. 4. Services are for USCENTCOM, managed by Washington Headquarters Services. 5. The contract duration is 2042 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $17M over approximately 5.6 years suggests a significant investment. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this pricing is optimal or if better value could have been achieved through a competitive process.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' indicating a limited competition approach. This method may not yield the best price discovery, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of full and open competition raises concerns about potential overspending and reduced value for taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long contract duration (2042 days) means sustained potential for suboptimal pricing. Lack of transparency in the procurement process hinders public trust. Essential linguistic services for USCENTCOM are secured, but at what cost?
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of Competition
- Limited Transparency
- Long Contract Duration
Positive Signals
- Essential Services Provided
- Clear Contract End Date
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). Spending in this broad category can vary widely, but significant sole-source or limited-competition awards warrant scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and effective use of funds.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to GB3TS, LLC. There is no information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting goals, which is a missed opportunity for small business engagement.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by Washington Headquarters Services, part of the Department of Defense. Oversight is crucial to ensure the necessity of linguistic services and the reasonableness of the price, especially given the limited competition.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Washington Headquarters Services Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.
- Limited transparency in the procurement process.
- Long contract duration increases long-term financial risk.
- No indication of small business participation.
- Justification for limited competition requires validation.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, fl, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $17.0 million to GB3TS, LLC. LINGUISTIC SERVICES FOR USCENTCOM.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GB3TS, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Washington Headquarters Services).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-01-23. End: 2025-08-26.
What specific linguistic services are being provided, and why was full and open competition deemed inappropriate or unfeasible?
The specific linguistic services are not detailed in the provided data. However, the justification for not competing under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) likely stems from factors such as urgency, specialized requirements, or existing relationships. A thorough review would be needed to validate these reasons and ensure they genuinely preclude broader competition.
How does the pricing structure and total award value compare to industry benchmarks for similar linguistic support contracts, particularly those awarded competitively?
Without access to specific service details and market data, a direct benchmark is challenging. However, the $17M value over nearly six years suggests a substantial cost. Comparing this to competitively procured contracts for comparable linguistic services would reveal if this award represents fair market value or if the lack of competition inflated the price.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the linguistic services provided by GB3TS, LLC, given the limited competition?
Standard contract management practices should include performance metrics, quality assurance surveillance plans (QASPs), and regular reviews. For this contract, Washington Headquarters Services must actively monitor GB3TS, LLC's performance against contract requirements to ensure the linguistic services meet USCENTCOM's needs effectively, despite the non-competitive award.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: HQ003420R0086
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3025 CLINTON DR, JUNEAU, AK, 99801
Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,778,037
Exercised Options: $17,293,857
Current Obligation: $17,045,187
Actual Outlays: $1,265,943
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-01-23
Current End Date: 2025-08-26
Potential End Date: 2025-08-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-05-01
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