DOJ awards $900K for Grand Jury Services to On the Record LLC, a time and materials contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $90,000 ($90.0K)

Contractor: ON the Record LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $247/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: GRAND JURY SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98101

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $90,000 to ON THE RECORD LLC for work described as: GRAND JURY SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for court reporting and stenotype services, essential for legal proceedings. 2. Time and Materials pricing structure may pose budget uncertainty if not carefully managed. 3. Competition under SAP indicates a streamlined process, potentially impacting price discovery. 4. Contract duration of 364 days aligns with typical service needs. 5. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. suggests localized service delivery. 6. The award to a single entity highlights potential concentration in this service area.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $900,000 for court reporting services over one year appears within a reasonable range for specialized legal support. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model necessitates close monitoring to ensure costs do not escalate beyond initial projections. Benchmarking against similar contracts for grand jury services or court reporting in the Washington D.C. area would provide a clearer picture of value for money, as specific per-unit rates for transcription or court reporting hours are not detailed here.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process was utilized for awards below certain thresholds. While SAP allows for competition, the specific number of bidders or the extent of outreach is not detailed. This method aims to balance efficiency with fair opportunity, but a limited number of bidders could still emerge in specialized fields.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP generally aims to secure fair pricing for taxpayers by soliciting offers from multiple sources, though the level of competition can vary.

Public Impact

Federal grand juries will benefit from the provision of essential court reporting and stenotype services. The Department of Justice will receive critical documentation for legal proceedings. Services are geographically focused within Washington D.C. The contract supports specialized roles within the court reporting and legal support industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing if not managed stringently.
Limited transparency on the number of bidders under SAP could obscure the full competitive landscape.
Dependence on a single contractor for these critical services may pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Contract was competed, indicating an effort to achieve fair market value.
The award is for essential legal support services, ensuring operational continuity for the DOJ.
The duration of the contract provides a stable period for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The market for court reporting and stenographic services is a specialized segment within the broader professional services industry. This contract falls under the category of legal support services, which are crucial for the functioning of the judicial system. Spending in this sector is often driven by the volume of legal cases and the specific requirements for accurate record-keeping. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically look at per-diem rates for court reporters, transcription costs, and the provision of related services like real-time reporting.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not provided for this contract. As it was competed under SAP, it's possible that small businesses were eligible and participated, but specific set-aside goals or achievements are not detailed in the provided data.

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 performance standards outlined in the contract, with potential for review by the DOJ Office of the Inspector General if performance issues or financial irregularities are suspected. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are usually internal.

Related Government Programs

Federal Court Reporting Services
Legal Support Services
Department of Justice Contracts
Grand Jury Operations Support

Risk Flags

Cost uncertainty due to Time and Materials pricing
Potential for limited competition under SAP
Dependence on a single contractor for critical services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $90,000 to ON THE RECORD LLC. GRAND JURY SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ON THE RECORD LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $90,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the typical hourly or daily rate for court reporters performing grand jury services in the Washington D.C. area, and how does this contract's potential cost compare?

Determining the exact per-unit cost for this contract is challenging without specific rates for transcription, reporter hours, or equipment rental. However, market research suggests that daily rates for experienced court reporters in major metropolitan areas like Washington D.C. can range from $500 to $1,000 or more, depending on experience, certifications, and services provided (e.g., real-time transcription). For a Time and Materials contract, the total cost is a function of the hours worked by various personnel and the materials used. If this $900,000 contract covers approximately 364 days of service, it implies an average daily expenditure of roughly $2,472. This figure would need to be broken down into labor hours and rates to accurately benchmark against market averages. Without that granular data, a direct comparison is difficult, but the overall budget suggests significant service hours or high-cost resources are anticipated.

What are the specific services On the Record LLC is expected to provide under this contract?

The contract is categorized under NAICS code 561492 (Court Reporting and Stenotype Services). Therefore, On the Record LLC is expected to provide comprehensive court reporting and stenotype services. This typically includes verbatim transcription of proceedings, real-time reporting (stenotype output displayed live), preparation of official transcripts, and potentially providing digital recordings or copies of transcripts. For grand jury proceedings, this ensures an accurate and complete record of testimony and discussions, which is crucial for legal investigations and potential indictments. The services are essential for maintaining the integrity and documentation of the grand jury process.

How does the 'Competed Under SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) classification impact the potential for competitive pricing and contractor selection?

Competing under SAP generally means the acquisition was conducted using procedures designed for purchases below certain dollar thresholds (e.g., $250,000, though this can vary based on agency and circumstances). These procedures emphasize efficiency and reduce administrative burden. While SAP allows for competition, it often involves fewer formal requirements than full and open competition. This can mean a smaller pool of potential bidders or less extensive outreach. For taxpayers, this can be a double-edged sword: efficiency might lead to faster service delivery, but a less robust competition could potentially result in higher prices than if a broader range of contractors had been solicited. The specific number of offers received under SAP for this contract would be key to assessing the actual level of competition achieved.

What are the risks associated with a 'Time and Materials' (T&M) contract type for court reporting services?

Time and Materials contracts carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for the actual cost of labor (at specified hourly rates) and materials, plus a fee or profit. The primary risk for the government is that costs can escalate unpredictably if the scope of work is not well-defined or if the contractor's effort is inefficient. For court reporting, this could mean longer-than-expected hours billed or increased use of materials. Effective oversight, including detailed timesheet reviews, validation of material costs, and clear performance standards, is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value. The government must actively manage the contractor's performance and resource utilization.

What is the significance of the contract's duration (364 days) and end date (September 29, 2026)?

A contract duration of 364 days is common as it is just under a full year, often allowing agencies to obligate funds within a specific fiscal year or avoid certain regulatory requirements associated with longer-term contracts. The end date of September 29, 2026, places the contract's performance period across two federal fiscal years (FY2025 and FY2026). This duration suggests a need for ongoing, consistent court reporting services throughout this period. It provides stability for the contractor while allowing the agency flexibility to re-evaluate needs or re-compete the requirement closer to the end date. The timing also aligns with typical budget cycles and procurement planning.

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: 161 BANYON CT, DALLAS, GA, 30157

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $90,000

Exercised Options: $90,000

Current Obligation: $90,000

Actual Outlays: $44,382

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15JA0525D00000267

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline