Treasury's IRS awards $28,875 BPA call for court reporting services to Escribers, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,875 ($28.9K)

Contractor: Escribers, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2026-04-13

End Date: 2026-04-27

Contract Duration: 14 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST IS TO PURCHASE DAILY (NEXT DAY) FINAL TRANSCRIPT FOR A 7-DAY TRIAL TAKING PLACE IN THE US TAX COURT.

Place of Performance

Location: PHOENIX, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85020

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $28,875 to ESCRIBERS, LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST IS TO PURCHASE DAILY (NEXT DAY) FINAL TRANSCRIPT FOR A 7-DAY TRIAL TAKING PLACE IN THE US TAX COURT. Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the specialized nature of daily transcript services. 2. Competition dynamics are limited, as this was a BPA call, not a full and open competition. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract and clear service delivery period. 4. Performance context involves supporting a 7-day trial in the US Tax Court. 5. Sector positioning is within professional support services for government agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28,875 for 14 days of service, including daily final transcripts, suggests a per diem rate of approximately $2,063. This rate is within a reasonable range for specialized court reporting services, especially considering the requirement for next-day finalization. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for expedited transcription services indicates that this pricing is competitive, reflecting the urgency and precision required.

Cost Per Unit: $2,063 per day

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded as a BPA call, meaning it was likely competed among pre-qualified vendors on an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement. While not a full and open competition, it suggests some level of prior vetting and potentially competitive pricing established during the initial BPA award. The specific competition details for this call are not fully elaborated, but the use of a BPA typically aims for efficiency and pre-negotiated terms.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition for this specific BPA call means taxpayers may not benefit from the absolute lowest price achievable through a broad, open solicitation. However, the use of a BPA can lead to faster procurement and potentially better overall value through established relationships and pre-negotiated rates.

Public Impact

Taxpayers involved in the US Tax Court trial will benefit from accurate and timely record-keeping. The service delivered is the provision of daily final transcripts for a 7-day trial. The geographic impact is localized to the US Tax Court proceedings, with services potentially delivered remotely or on-site in Arizona. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily involving the specialized court reporters from Escribers, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if trial duration extends beyond the planned 7 days.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical trial documentation.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Clear service period (April 13-27, 2026) minimizes ambiguity.
Awarded under an existing BPA, suggesting vendor pre-qualification.

Sector Analysis

The court reporting and stenotype services sector is a niche but essential part of the legal and administrative support industry. Government agencies frequently contract for these services to ensure accurate records of proceedings, depositions, and trials. The market size for such specialized services is difficult to quantify broadly but is driven by the needs of the judicial system and regulatory bodies. This contract fits within the professional services category, supporting legal operations.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting is not explicitly provided for this BPA call. As Escribers, LLC is the awardee, their status as a small or large business would determine the direct impact. Without specific subcontracting requirements, the impact on the broader small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed-price contract terms and the defined service delivery period. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

US Tax Court Proceedings
Legal Support Services
Court Reporting Services
Transcript Services
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for vendor dependency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $28,875 to ESCRIBERS, LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST IS TO PURCHASE DAILY (NEXT DAY) FINAL TRANSCRIPT FOR A 7-DAY TRIAL TAKING PLACE IN THE US TAX COURT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ESCRIBERS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Internal Revenue Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28,875.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-13. End: 2026-04-27.

What is the track record of Escribers, LLC in providing court reporting services to the federal government?

Escribers, LLC has experience providing court reporting and transcription services. While specific details on their federal contract history are not provided in this data snippet, their selection for this BPA call suggests they meet certain qualifications. Further investigation into their past performance ratings, previous contract values, and client feedback from other government agencies would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and quality of service. Assessing their performance on similar expedited transcript requirements would be particularly relevant.

How does the daily rate of $2,063 compare to market rates for expedited court reporting services?

The daily rate of approximately $2,063 for 14 days of service, including next-day final transcripts, appears to be within the competitive range for specialized, high-urgency court reporting. Market rates can vary significantly based on location, the complexity of the proceedings, and the required turnaround time. For services demanding daily finalization, which requires significant resources and immediate post-session work, this rate is justifiable. Benchmarking against industry reports or other government solicitations for similar expedited services would confirm its market competitiveness.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks include potential delays in transcript delivery if the vendor faces unforeseen operational issues, and the possibility of the trial extending beyond the planned 7 days, leading to potential cost adjustments or delays. Mitigation strategies are in place through the firm fixed-price contract, which incentivizes the vendor to meet deadlines and manage costs. The defined service period also sets clear expectations. The use of a BPA implies that the vendor has already been vetted, reducing the risk of selecting an unqualified provider. Clear communication channels between the IRS and Escribers, LLC are crucial for managing any emergent issues.

How effective is the BPA call mechanism for procuring specialized services like court reporting?

The BPA call mechanism is generally effective for procuring specialized services that are needed repeatedly or under specific circumstances, such as this trial support. It allows agencies to leverage pre-negotiated terms and pricing established during the initial BPA competition, leading to faster procurement cycles compared to full and open competition. This efficiency is valuable for time-sensitive needs like trial support. However, the effectiveness in achieving the absolute lowest price may be limited compared to a broad solicitation, as competition is restricted to BPA holders.

What is the historical spending pattern for court reporting services by the IRS or Treasury?

Historical spending patterns for court reporting services by the IRS or Treasury are not detailed in the provided data. To assess this, one would need to analyze past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, vendor choices, and the frequency of such procurements. Understanding historical spending can help in budgeting, identifying potential cost-saving opportunities, and evaluating the consistency of vendor relationships.

What are the implications of awarding this contract via a BPA call versus a new solicitation?

Awarding this contract via a BPA call implies that the initial competition for the BPA itself likely involved multiple vendors, establishing a baseline for pricing and performance standards. This method offers speed and administrative efficiency. A new solicitation, particularly a full and open one, would involve a broader search for vendors, potentially uncovering more competitive pricing but at the cost of a longer procurement timeline. For a time-sensitive need like supporting an active trial, the BPA call is often the more practical approach, assuming the BPA terms are favorable.

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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7227 N 16TH ST STE 207, PHOENIX, AZ, 85020

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,875

Exercised Options: $28,875

Current Obligation: $28,875

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 2032H822A00007

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline