DoD Awards $3.34M for Linguistic Support, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,339,514 ($3.3M)
Contractor: A2 Federal, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-08-19
End Date: 2026-12-18
Contract Duration: 1,217 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: LINGUISTIC SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22311
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $3.3 million to A2 FEDERAL, INC. for work described as: LINGUISTIC SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $3.34M for translation and interpretation services. 2. Awarded to A2 FEDERAL, INC. by the Department of Defense. 3. Significant lack of competition noted, raising potential value concerns. 4. Services fall under translation and interpretation, a critical but potentially commoditized sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $3.34M for linguistic support services needs further scrutiny due to the lack of competitive bidding. Without a competitive process, it's difficult to ascertain if this price represents fair market value compared to similar contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a limited competition approach. This method may not have fully explored the market, potentially leading to suboptimal price discovery and higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition approach may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully open and competitive procurement process.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying for essential linguistic support services due to a lack of competitive bidding. The Department of Defense relies on these services, highlighting the importance of ensuring cost-effectiveness. Future procurements should prioritize open competition to drive down costs and improve service quality.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment
- Limited market exploration
Positive Signals
- Definitive contract awarded
- Firm Fixed Price contract type
Sector Analysis
Linguistic support services, including translation and interpretation, are crucial for government operations, particularly in defense and international affairs. Benchmarks for this sector can vary widely based on language complexity, volume, and required security clearances.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award process, particularly the lack of competition, warrants oversight to ensure adherence to procurement regulations and to identify opportunities for future competitive sourcing.
Related Government Programs
- Translation and Interpretation Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Washington Headquarters Services Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Lack of transparency in award justification
- No clear indication of small business utilization
Tags
translation-and-interpretation-services, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $3.3 million to A2 FEDERAL, INC.. LINGUISTIC SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is A2 FEDERAL, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Washington Headquarters Services).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-08-19. End: 2026-12-18.
What is the estimated market rate for similar linguistic support services in the Washington D.C. area?
Determining the precise market rate requires detailed analysis of specific service requirements, language pairs, volume, and urgency. However, a competitive bidding process typically yields prices 10-30% lower than sole-source or limited-competition awards. Benchmarking against GSA schedules or other agency contracts for similar services would provide a more accurate comparison.
What are the risks associated with awarding linguistic support services without full and open competition?
The primary risk is paying a premium price due to the absence of competitive pressure. This can lead to inefficient use of taxpayer funds. Additionally, limited competition may restrict access to the most innovative or specialized providers, potentially impacting service quality or the ability to scale services rapidly if needed.
How effective is the current provider, A2 FEDERAL, INC., in delivering these linguistic support services?
The provided data does not include performance metrics or past performance evaluations for A2 FEDERAL, INC. Assessing effectiveness would require reviewing contract performance reports, user feedback, and any quality assurance assessments conducted by the Department of Defense during the contract period.
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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: HQ003423R0242
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 46491 CEDARHURST DR, STERLING, VA, 20165
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,180,981
Exercised Options: $3,339,514
Current Obligation: $3,339,514
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-08-19
Current End Date: 2026-12-18
Potential End Date: 2026-12-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-09
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