VA awards $4.5M contract for stenographic services to Vet Reporting LLC, with a 3-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,541 ($4.5K)

Contractor: VET Reporting LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-12-19

End Date: 2025-12-22

Contract Duration: 3 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: VISN 02 STENO SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: BATH, STEUBEN County, NEW YORK, 14810

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $4,541.12 to VET REPORTING LLC for work described as: VISN 02 STENO SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a short-term, specialized service. 2. Competition dynamics are unclear due to limited information on the BPA call. 3. Risk indicators are low given the short duration and established service category. 4. Performance context suggests a need for immediate stenographic support. 5. Sector positioning is within administrative support services for healthcare. 6. The contract's limited duration may indicate a gap-filling or urgent requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.5 million for a 3-day period seems high on the surface. However, without specific details on the scope of services, number of personnel, or expected output (e.g., hours of transcription, number of events covered), a direct comparison is difficult. Assuming this covers extensive, high-stakes proceedings or multiple simultaneous events, the cost might be justified. Benchmarking against similar short-term, high-intensity court reporting contracts would be necessary for a definitive value assessment. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting it was likely a small dollar value procurement. The award was made via a BPA Call, which implies a pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement was in place. The level of competition for this specific BPA Call is not detailed, but SAP procurements often involve fewer bidders than full and open competition. Further investigation into the specific BPA and its competition history is needed.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP and BPA calls can sometimes limit price discovery compared to full and open competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers if competition is not robust.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving services through the VA healthcare system will benefit from accurate and timely documentation of proceedings. Essential administrative and reporting services are delivered to support VA operations. The geographic impact is centered in New York, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team of specialized stenographers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High total contract value for a very short duration raises questions about efficiency and potential overpricing.
Lack of transparency regarding the competition for the BPA call makes it difficult to assess value for money.
The specific services required and the basis for the $4.5M valuation are not clearly defined.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a named entity (Vet Reporting LLC), indicating a known provider.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
The contract is for a critical support service (stenography) within the VA.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative and support services sector, specifically focusing on court reporting and stenographic services. This niche market serves legal, governmental, and healthcare entities requiring verbatim transcription. The market size for such specialized services can be significant, driven by regulatory requirements and the need for official records. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within government contracts for transcription, court reporting, and similar documentation services, often awarded through GSA schedules or agency-specific BPAs.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-aside was not utilized (ss: false) and there is no specific mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and its impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Vet Reporting LLC is a small business itself or if it intends to subcontract to small businesses. Further details on the contractor's size and subcontracting plans would be needed for a comprehensive analysis.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is limited by the information available through public contract databases; detailed performance reports or IG oversight specific to this short-term BPA call are not readily accessible without further inquiry.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Records and Information Systems
Federal Court Reporting Services
Administrative Support Services Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

High Cost for Short Duration
Limited Competition Transparency
Undefined Scope of Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $4,541.12 to VET REPORTING LLC. VISN 02 STENO SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VET REPORTING LLC.

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 $4,541.12.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-19. End: 2025-12-22.

What is the specific scope of services expected under this $4.5 million contract for only three days?

The provided data does not specify the exact scope of services. However, given the high value ($4.5 million) for a short 3-day duration and the NAICS code (561492 - Court Reporting and Stenotype Services), it likely encompasses extensive, high-demand stenographic services. This could include covering multiple simultaneous hearings, depositions, or critical medical review board proceedings requiring immediate and comprehensive verbatim transcription. The sheer cost suggests a significant volume of work, potentially involving a large team of stenographers working around the clock, or highly specialized services for complex cases within the VA system.

How does the per-day cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar stenographic services?

Calculating a direct per-day cost yields approximately $1.5 million per day ($4.5 million / 3 days). This figure appears exceptionally high for standard court reporting services. Typical daily rates for experienced court reporters can range from $500 to $1,500, depending on location, complexity, and required turnaround time. The $1.5 million/day figure suggests this contract is not for standard reporting but likely involves a massive scale of operation, potentially covering numerous concurrent events across multiple locations, or includes significant overhead, technology, and expedited processing costs far exceeding typical market rates. Without more granular details on the service delivery model, a precise benchmark comparison is challenging.

What is the track record of Vet Reporting LLC in performing similar large-scale stenographic contracts for the federal government?

Information on Vet Reporting LLC's specific track record for large-scale federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. As the award was made via a BPA Call, it implies the existence of a prior BPA, suggesting some level of established relationship or pre-qualification. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance evaluations on federal contracts, particularly those involving similar dollar values, durations, and service complexities. Researching their contract history with the VA and other agencies, including any reported issues or successes, would be crucial for understanding their capability to handle this significant requirement.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract of this magnitude for such a short period?

The primary risk associated with a high-value, short-duration contract is the potential for inefficient resource allocation or inflated pricing due to urgency or perceived lack of competition. There's a risk that the government may overpay for services if the scope isn't meticulously defined and managed. Another risk is the contractor potentially not being able to scale resources adequately for the demand within the tight timeframe, leading to performance issues. Furthermore, the short window limits the government's ability to identify and rectify performance problems or re-compete if necessary, making the initial award and contractor selection critical.

How does this contract fit into the VA's overall spending on administrative and support services?

This $4.5 million contract represents a significant, albeit short-term, investment in specialized administrative support. Within the VA's vast budget, which runs into hundreds of billions annually, this specific contract is a small fraction. However, its high value for a short duration suggests it addresses a critical, potentially emergent need for stenographic services, possibly related to legal proceedings, investigations, or high-level administrative functions. It highlights the VA's reliance on external contractors for specialized support services to maintain operational efficiency and fulfill its mission, particularly in documentation and record-keeping.

Were there any specific performance metrics or deliverables outlined in the contract award notice?

The provided data does not include specific performance metrics or deliverables. Contract award notices typically summarize key terms but often omit the detailed performance work statement (PWS). For a contract of this nature, performance metrics would likely revolve around accuracy rates for transcription, turnaround times for delivering transcripts, availability of stenographers, and adherence to confidentiality protocols. The firm-fixed-price nature implies that the contractor is obligated to meet the defined scope and quality standards, with payment contingent upon successful completion.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1512 WAYNESBOROUGH CT, MARIETTA, GA, 30062

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,541

Exercised Options: $4,541

Current Obligation: $4,541

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24222A0010

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline