Commission on Wartime Contracting

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Hearing August 12, 2009

Linguist Support Services

The Aug. 12 hearing of the Commission on Wartime Contracting considered a case study in contracting and subcontracting: the five-year, nearly $5 billion Translation and Interpretation Management Services contract that supports American operations in Iraq. The contract is between the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) and prime contractor Global Linguist Solutions (GLS). GLS in turn has subcontracted work to Northrop Grumman, L-3 Communications, and other vendors.

"The contract with GLS also involves two large, competing bidders — one of whom protested the Army's contract award — that became subcontractors to the winner," said Commission Co-Chair Michael L. Thibault. "Contractual arrangements like this are in compliance with federal rules, but they need to be evaluated to determine if the practice results in substantially increased contract cost with minimal added value."

The GLS contract hearing ran from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 12 in Room 342, Dirksen Senate Office Building. Witnesses represented were DCAA, INSCOM, GLS, Northrop Grumman, and L-3.

 

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Video:
Linguistic Support Hearing Video Hearing Video
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Press Release:

 

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