Social Security Administration awards $1.99M for VERBATIM HEARING RECORDER (VHR) Services in Southeast Region
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,986,314 ($2.0M)
Contractor: Stratcomm, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2025-12-02
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 394 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: VERBATIM HEARING RECORDER (VHR) SERVICES IN THE SOUTHEAST REGION SUB-REGION 4-2. TASK ORDER FOR OPTION YEAR 2. INCREMENTALLY FUNDED THROUGH JANUARY 30, 2026.
Place of Performance
Location: CHARLOTTE, MECKLENBURG County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28227
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $2.0 million to STRATCOMM, INC. for work described as: VERBATIM HEARING RECORDER (VHR) SERVICES IN THE SOUTHEAST REGION SUB-REGION 4-2. TASK ORDER FOR OPTION YEAR 2. INCREMENTALLY FUNDED THROUGH JANUARY 30, 2026. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to STRATCOMM, INC. for Option Year 2 of VHR services. 2. Incremental funding extends through January 30, 2026. 3. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 561410 for Document Preparation Services. 5. The contract is for services in North Carolina, within the Southeast Region Sub-Region 4-2. 6. The award is a Delivery Order under a larger contract. 7. The duration of this task order is 394 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount is $1,986,314.40. Benchmarking this specific service against similar contracts is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and performance metrics. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests a degree of cost control. The value proposition will depend on the quality and efficiency of the verbatim hearing recorder services provided by STRATCOMM, INC. compared to market alternatives.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, which could limit the breadth of competition. The number of bidders is not specified, making it difficult to fully assess the competitive landscape and its impact on price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with exclusions, generally aims for competitive pricing. However, the exclusion of sources may have reduced the number of potential bidders, potentially impacting the most favorable pricing for taxpayers.
Public Impact
Individuals requiring verbatim hearing recorder services for legal or administrative proceedings within the Southeast Region Sub-Region 4-2 will benefit. The services ensure accurate transcription of hearings, crucial for legal documentation and due process. The geographic impact is focused on North Carolina, serving the specific needs of that sub-region. This contract supports administrative and support service roles within the transcription and legal support industries.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to gauge efficiency.
- Incremental funding structure requires ongoing monitoring of budget allocation.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
- Awarded under a full and open competition framework.
- Clear service description for verbatim hearing recorder services.
Sector Analysis
The Document Preparation Services sector, classified under NAICS code 561410, encompasses a range of businesses that provide administrative and support services. This contract for verbatim hearing recorder services fits within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. The market for transcription and court reporting services is competitive, with pricing influenced by factors such as turnaround time, complexity, and geographic location. Federal spending in this area supports the operational needs of various agencies requiring accurate record-keeping.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) is false for this specific award. There is no indication of a small business set-aside. Therefore, the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed in this award notice.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Social Security Administration's contracting and program management offices. As a delivery order under a larger contract, existing oversight mechanisms for the parent contract would likely apply. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but specific performance monitoring and accountability measures are internal to the agency and contractor.
Related Government Programs
- Social Security Administration Operations Support
- Legal Services Support Contracts
- Federal Document Management Services
- Administrative Support Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics in award data.
- Incremental funding requires ongoing budget monitoring.
Tags
social-security-administration, verbatim-hearing-recorder-services, southeast-region, north-carolina, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, firm-fixed-price, document-preparation-services, option-year, incremental-funding
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $2.0 million to STRATCOMM, INC.. VERBATIM HEARING RECORDER (VHR) SERVICES IN THE SOUTHEAST REGION SUB-REGION 4-2. TASK ORDER FOR OPTION YEAR 2. INCREMENTALLY FUNDED THROUGH JANUARY 30, 2026.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is STRATCOMM, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-12-02. End: 2026-12-31.
What is the historical spending trend for VERBATIM HEARING RECORDER (VHR) Services by the Social Security Administration?
Analyzing historical spending for VERBATIM HEARING RECORDER (VHR) Services by the Social Security Administration requires access to historical contract data beyond this single award. Typically, agencies procure such services through various contract vehicles, including task orders under indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts or standalone contracts. To determine trends, one would need to aggregate spending data over several fiscal years, identify all relevant contracts and task orders using keywords like 'hearing recorder,' 'transcription,' and 'stenographic services,' and then analyze the total expenditure, number of awards, and average award values. This would reveal whether spending is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and identify any shifts in contracting strategies or vendor reliance.
How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar verbatim hearing recorder services awarded by other federal agencies?
A direct price comparison for this $1.99M contract for VERBATIM HEARING RECORDER (VHR) Services is difficult without detailed service level agreements, geographic cost variations, and specific performance requirements. However, general market rates for court reporting and transcription services can be benchmarked. Factors influencing price include the speed of delivery (e.g., daily rough drafts vs. final transcripts), the number of hours of recording, and the complexity of the proceedings. Agencies often use GSA schedules or other competitive vehicles to secure these services. To perform a robust comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar scope, volume, and geographic focus from agencies like the Department of Justice or the Department of Labor, and analyze their per-hour or per-transcript rates, adjusting for any known differences in service delivery.
What are the specific performance metrics and quality standards required for STRATCOMM, INC. under this contract?
The provided award data does not specify the detailed performance metrics or quality standards for STRATCOMM, INC. under this VERBATIM HEARING RECORDER (VHR) Services contract. Typically, such contracts would include clauses related to accuracy rates (e.g., 98% or higher accuracy for transcripts), turnaround times for delivering final transcripts (e.g., within 10 business days), adherence to specific formatting guidelines, and availability of certified court reporters. The Social Security Administration would have established these standards in the original contract solicitation and the resulting task order. Without access to the full contract document, a precise assessment of these requirements and how STRATCOMM, INC. is expected to meet them is not possible.
What is the track record of STRATCOMM, INC. in providing similar services to the federal government?
Assessing STRATCOMM, INC.'s track record requires examining their past performance on federal contracts. This would involve searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous awards to STRATCOMM, INC., particularly those involving verbatim hearing recorder, transcription, or similar document preparation services. Key aspects to review would include the types of agencies they have served, the value and duration of those contracts, and any available performance evaluations or past performance questionnaires. A positive track record would demonstrate consistent delivery, adherence to schedules, and client satisfaction, while negative feedback or contract disputes would raise concerns about their capability to fulfill the current award effectively.
What is the potential impact of the 'exclusion of sources' clause on the overall cost-effectiveness of this contract?
The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, certain potential bidders were deliberately excluded. The impact on cost-effectiveness depends heavily on the rationale for these exclusions and the number of remaining qualified bidders. If the excluded sources were significant competitors or offered substantially lower prices, their exclusion could lead to higher costs for the government. Conversely, if the exclusions were based on specific technical requirements or past performance issues, and sufficient competition remained among qualified vendors, the cost-effectiveness might not be significantly impacted. A thorough analysis would require understanding who was excluded and why, and assessing the competitiveness among the remaining pool of offerors.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › Document Preparation Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 28321323RR0400003
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Stratcomm Inc.
Address: 24 SUPERIOR DR, NATICK, MA, 01760
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,986,314
Exercised Options: $1,986,314
Current Obligation: $1,986,314
Actual Outlays: $105,185
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321323DR0460001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-12-02
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2026-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-04
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