Homeland Security awards $18.7M for translation services to Universal Language Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,691,353 ($18.7M)

Contractor: Universal Language Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2009-09-09

End Date: 2012-09-09

Contract Duration: 1,096 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW CALL ORDER NUMBER AWARDED OFF BPA # HSCEOP-07-A-00037, FOR TRANSLATION & MONITORING SERVICES SUPPORTING NEW & ON-GOING T-III OPERATIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: REGO PARK, QUEENS County, NEW YORK, 11374

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $18.7 million to UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE CORPORATION for work described as: NEW CALL ORDER NUMBER AWARDED OFF BPA # HSCEOP-07-A-00037, FOR TRANSLATION & MONITORING SERVICES SUPPORTING NEW & ON-GOING T-III OPERATIONS. Key points: 1. Contract awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for translation and monitoring services. 2. Services support new and ongoing operations for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 3. The contract duration is approximately three years. 4. This award represents a significant investment in language support for federal law enforcement. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541930 for Translation and Interpretation Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount is $18.7 million over a 1096-day period. Benchmarking this specific call order against similar translation services contracts is challenging without more granular data on service scope and volume. However, the duration and value suggest a substantial requirement. Further analysis would require comparing the per-unit costs for specific languages or services against market rates or other government contracts for similar support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value. The use of a BPA suggests that a competitive process was likely used to establish the base agreement, with call orders then placed against it.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of offers, potentially leading to lower prices and better service quality.

Public Impact

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will benefit from enhanced translation and monitoring capabilities. Services delivered will support new and ongoing operations, likely related to investigations, detentions, and enforcement actions. The contract has a geographic impact in New York, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized linguists and monitoring personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or service level agreements in the provided data.
Potential for cost overruns if the scope of 'T-III operations' expands significantly.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical translation and monitoring services.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Contractor has secured a significant award, indicating a level of trust and capability.
Services are crucial for supporting law enforcement operations.

Sector Analysis

The Translation and Interpretation Services sector (NAICS 541930) is a growing market driven by globalization and the need for cross-cultural communication. Government agencies, particularly those involved in law enforcement, national security, and international affairs, are significant consumers of these services. The total federal spending on translation and interpretation services can fluctuate based on operational needs and geopolitical events. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services procured by federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Universal Language Corporation's size is not specified, but the contract value suggests it could be a medium to large enterprise. There is no information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. This award does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Department of Homeland Security, specifically U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated by contract award databases, though detailed performance reports are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security - Translation Services
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Operational Support
Federal Contracts for Language Services
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues due to service complexity.
Data security and confidentiality risks associated with sensitive information.
Dependence on contractor's ability to maintain qualified personnel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $18.7 million to UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE CORPORATION. NEW CALL ORDER NUMBER AWARDED OFF BPA # HSCEOP-07-A-00037, FOR TRANSLATION & MONITORING SERVICES SUPPORTING NEW & ON-GOING T-III OPERATIONS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-09. End: 2012-09-09.

What is the specific nature of the 'T-III operations' that this contract supports?

The provided data abbreviates 'T-III operations' without further clarification. Typically, in a law enforcement context like ICE, 'T-III' could refer to Title III wiretap operations, which involve electronic surveillance and require extensive monitoring and translation of intercepted communications. These operations are legally complex and sensitive, demanding high accuracy and confidentiality in translation services. Understanding the precise nature of T-III operations would provide critical context for the scope, volume, and sensitivity of the translation and monitoring services required under this contract, impacting the assessment of value and risk.

How does the pricing structure of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for translation and interpretation services?

Without specific details on the services rendered (e.g., per-word rates for different languages, per-hour rates for interpreters, monitoring service fees), a direct price comparison is difficult. However, the total award of $18.7 million over approximately three years ($6.23 million annually) for translation and monitoring services for ICE suggests a significant operational requirement. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare the contractor's rates for specific languages, document types, and service levels against established government price lists (like GSA schedules) or commercial market rates for similar services. Factors like security clearances, specialized terminology, and 24/7 availability can influence pricing.

What is Universal Language Corporation's track record with federal contracts, particularly with DHS and ICE?

Universal Language Corporation has secured this $18.7 million contract with DHS/ICE, indicating a successful bid and a level of confidence from the agency. To fully assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on other federal contracts. This includes reviewing contract histories for on-time delivery, quality of service, adherence to budget, and any past performance issues or awards. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or contractor performance assessment reports (CPARS) would be crucial for a comprehensive evaluation of their reliability and capability in fulfilling government requirements.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on Universal Language Corporation for critical monitoring and translation services?

Potential risks include service disruptions if the contractor faces financial instability or operational challenges, data security breaches given the sensitive nature of ICE operations, and quality control issues leading to inaccurate translations that could impact investigations or legal proceedings. Over-reliance on a single vendor, even under a BPA, can also limit flexibility. Furthermore, the contractor's ability to scale services up or down rapidly based on evolving operational needs presents a risk if not managed effectively. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance standards is key to mitigating these risks.

How has federal spending on translation and interpretation services evolved, and where does this contract fit in?

Federal spending on translation and interpretation services has generally increased over the past two decades, driven by factors such as heightened national security concerns, increased immigration, and global engagement. Agencies like DHS, the Department of Defense, and the State Department are major spenders. This $18.7 million contract with ICE represents a substantial, but not unprecedented, investment within this category. It reflects the ongoing need for language support in critical law enforcement and national security functions. Analyzing historical spending trends for NAICS code 541930 can provide context on the scale and growth of this market segment.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 97 12 63RD DR STE 2 A, REGO PARK, NY, 11374

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,264,826

Exercised Options: $18,691,353

Current Obligation: $18,691,353

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSCEOP07A00037

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline