DOJ awards $59.9K contract for court reporting services to Askins Court Reporting, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $59,898 ($59.9K)

Contractor: Askins Court Reporting, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-09-21

End Date: 2025-09-20

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $165/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: GRAND JURY AND DEPOSITION COURT REPORTING SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH County, FLORIDA, 33602

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $59,898.42 to ASKINS COURT REPORTING, INC. for work described as: GRAND JURY AND DEPOSITION COURT REPORTING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential court reporting services, supporting legal proceedings. 2. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope of work. 3. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a streamlined procurement process for smaller dollar amounts. 4. The contractor, Askins Court Reporting, Inc., is a single entity for this award. 5. The contract duration is one year, aligning with typical service delivery timelines. 6. The service falls under the 'Court Reporting and Stenotype Services' category.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $60,000 for a one-year period for court reporting services appears reasonable for the scope. Without specific details on the volume of work (e.g., hours of deposition, number of transcripts), a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, for specialized legal support services, this price point is not indicative of overspending, especially given the competitive nature of the procurement.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which generally allows for full and open competition for acquisitions below the simplified acquisition threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, the use of SAP suggests that multiple offers were likely solicited and considered, promoting price discovery and ensuring fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this procurement, even under SAP, suggests that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently by seeking the best value among potential providers.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from reliable court reporting services, crucial for legal case documentation. Attorneys, paralegals, and court personnel involved in legal proceedings will utilize these services. The geographic impact is primarily within Florida, where the contractor is based and services are likely rendered. The contract supports a specialized professional service workforce in the legal support sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or service level agreements in the provided data.
Limited insight into the volume of work or specific deliverables expected under this contract.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process under SAP, indicating potential for good value.
Contract duration of one year allows for flexibility and potential re-competition if needed.
Specialized service category suggests a focused and necessary procurement.

Sector Analysis

The court reporting and stenotype services sector is a niche but essential part of the legal industry. This contract fits within the broader professional services category procured by government agencies. Spending in this area is typically driven by the volume of legal activity and the need for accurate record-keeping. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more granular data on the specific services required.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract was set aside for small businesses or if there are specific subcontracting requirements. Askins Court Reporting, Inc. is likely a small business given the contract value, but further information would be needed to confirm its impact on the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery of accurate and timely court reporting services as per the contract terms. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though detailed performance data may not always be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Legal Services
Professional Services
Court Operations Support
Department of Justice Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption if contractor fails to perform.
Risk of transcription errors impacting legal proceedings.
Limited visibility into contractor's financial stability for smaller awards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $59,898.42 to ASKINS COURT REPORTING, INC.. GRAND JURY AND DEPOSITION COURT REPORTING SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASKINS COURT REPORTING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $59,898.42.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-21. End: 2025-09-20.

What is the track record of Askins Court Reporting, Inc. with federal contracts?

Based on the provided data, Askins Court Reporting, Inc. has been awarded this specific contract by the Department of Justice. Further investigation into federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary to ascertain their complete federal contracting history, including past performance on similar contracts, any prior awards, and their performance ratings. Without this broader context, it's difficult to assess their established track record with the federal government beyond this single award.

How does the value of this contract compare to typical court reporting service contracts?

The contract value of approximately $60,000 for a one-year duration is relatively modest for federal contracting. Court reporting services can vary significantly in cost depending on the volume of work, geographic location, and specific requirements (e.g., expedited transcripts, real-time reporting). For a single year of service, this amount suggests a limited scope, perhaps covering a specific set of cases or a particular office's needs. Larger, multi-year contracts for extensive litigation support could easily run into hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. Therefore, this contract appears to be for a focused, smaller-scale requirement.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential delays in service delivery, inaccuracies in transcription, and the contractor's financial stability. If Askins Court Reporting, Inc. fails to meet deadlines or provide accurate transcripts, it could impede legal proceedings and necessitate costly corrections or re-work. Furthermore, if the contractor experiences financial difficulties, it could lead to service disruptions. The relatively small contract value might also indicate a higher risk of contractor turnover or a lack of robust infrastructure compared to larger, more established firms.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in ensuring value for money for this contract?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000). For a contract valued at approximately $60,000, SAP is generally effective in promoting efficiency and reducing administrative burden. It typically allows for competition among a reasonable number of sources, fostering price discovery. While SAP may not offer the same depth of analysis as full and open competition for larger contracts, for this dollar amount, it strikes a balance between achieving good value and timely acquisition of necessary services.

What is the historical spending pattern for court reporting services by the Department of Justice?

Historical spending data for court reporting services by the Department of Justice (DOJ) would reveal trends in procurement volume, average contract values, and the types of contractors utilized. Without access to specific historical data, it's presumed that the DOJ, as a major law enforcement and litigation agency, consistently requires court reporting services across its various divisions and field offices. Annual spending likely fluctuates based on caseloads and specific litigation needs. This current award of $59.9K represents a small portion of the DOJ's overall potential expenditure in this category.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › Court Reporting and Stenotype Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3610 S LIGHTNER DR, TAMPA, FL, 33629

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $59,898

Exercised Options: $59,898

Current Obligation: $59,898

Actual Outlays: $59,898

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15JA0520D00000157

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline