VA awards $70,000 contract for court reporting services to The Ravens Group, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $70,000 ($70.0K)

Contractor: THE Ravens Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-11

End Date: 2027-04-10

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $192/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE COURT REPORTING SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: ANNAPOLIS, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 21401

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $70,000 to THE RAVENS GROUP, INC. for work described as: THE PURPOSE TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE COURT REPORTING SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract value is $70,000 for 364 days. 2. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 3. The Ravens Group, Inc. is the awardee. 4. NAICS code 561492 indicates Court Reporting and Stenotype Services. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $70,000 for a 364-day period appears reasonable for court reporting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts would provide a more definitive assessment of pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The competition method 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' suggests an attempt at broad competition, but the exclusion of specific sources warrants further investigation. This method can impact price discovery if the exclusion was not justified.

Taxpayer Impact: The $70,000 expenditure is a direct cost to taxpayers for essential government services.

Public Impact

Ensures access to accurate and timely court reporting for VA proceedings. Supports the legal and administrative functions of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Provides a service critical for maintaining official records and ensuring due process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Justification for exclusion of sources in competition needs review.
Potential for limited competition depending on the scope of exclusions.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Clear period of performance (364 days).

Sector Analysis

The IT and professional services sector, including court reporting, is competitive. Benchmarks for similar services vary based on location, duration, and specific requirements.

Small Business Impact

No information is provided regarding small business participation in this contract award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance, adherence to terms, and quality of services provided by The Ravens Group, Inc.

Related Government Programs

Court Reporting and Stenotype Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Need for justification of source exclusion.
Lack of small business participation noted.
Performance quality monitoring is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $70,000 to THE RAVENS GROUP, INC.. THE PURPOSE TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE COURT REPORTING SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE RAVENS GROUP, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $70,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-11. End: 2027-04-10.

What was the specific justification for excluding sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method?

The justification for excluding sources in this competition method is crucial for understanding the extent of competition achieved. Without this information, it's difficult to assess if the exclusion was necessary and if it potentially limited the best possible pricing or vendor selection for the government. Further review of the contract file is recommended.

How does the $70,000 award compare to market rates for similar court reporting services?

A direct comparison of the $70,000 award for 364 days of court reporting services to market rates requires detailed analysis of service scope, geographic location, and specific requirements. While the amount seems reasonable for a year of service, benchmarking against similar government or commercial contracts would confirm if it represents a fair and competitive price.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the quality and accuracy of the court reporting services provided?

Mechanisms for ensuring quality and accuracy typically involve performance standards outlined in the contract, regular performance reviews by the contracting officer's representative (COR), and potentially review of transcripts for adherence to standards. The VA should have established procedures for monitoring the vendor's performance and addressing any deficiencies.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1910 TOWNE CENTRE BLVD STE 250, ANNAPOLIS, MD, 21401

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $70,000

Exercised Options: $70,000

Current Obligation: $70,000

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C10X21D0017

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline