VHA VISN-10 awards $6.3M court reporting contract to Vet Reporting LLC for 10 days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,317 ($6.3K)

Contractor: VET Reporting LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-12-09

End Date: 2025-12-19

Contract Duration: 10 days

Daily Burn Rate: $632/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: VHA VISN-10 COURT REPORTING SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA County, OHIO, 44106

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $6,316.55 to VET REPORTING LLC for work described as: VHA VISN-10 COURT REPORTING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears high for a short-duration service, warranting further price analysis. 2. Limited competition dynamics may have influenced the final award price. 3. Short performance period suggests a specific, immediate need. 4. Contract is a delivery order, indicating it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract. 5. Focus on court reporting services aligns with VA's need for accurate record-keeping in legal proceedings. 6. Geographic focus on Ohio (OH) indicates regional service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $6.3 million for a 10-day period is exceptionally high. While specific court reporting needs can vary, this rate suggests a significant per-diem cost. Benchmarking against similar court reporting services for federal agencies, especially for short-term engagements, is crucial to determine if this represents fair value. Without more context on the scope of services (e.g., number of proceedings, complexity, transcription requirements), it is difficult to definitively assess value, but the initial figures raise concerns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition for contracts under the federal acquisition threshold. However, the data does not specify the number of bids received. The fact that it was competed, even under SAP, suggests an effort to solicit offers. The effectiveness of this competition in driving down price is not evident from the provided data alone.

Taxpayer Impact: While competed, the high value for a short duration suggests that taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective solution if competition was not robust or if the service requirements were unusually extensive.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving services through the VHA VISN-10 network will benefit from accurate and timely legal record-keeping. Essential court reporting and stenographic services will be delivered. Services are geographically focused within Ohio (VISN-10 region). The contract supports the legal and administrative functions of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Extremely high cost per day for court reporting services.
Lack of detail on the specific services required for such a high value.
Potential for overpayment given the short duration and high cost.

Positive Signals

Contract was competed, indicating an attempt at market solicitation.
Services are essential for legal proceedings within the VA system.
Awarded to a specialized firm (Vet Reporting LLC).

Sector Analysis

The court reporting and stenographic services sector is a niche but essential part of the legal and administrative support industry. Federal agencies, particularly those with significant legal or administrative proceedings like the Department of Veterans Affairs, rely on these services for accurate documentation. Spending in this area is typically driven by the volume and complexity of legal cases, hearings, and depositions. Benchmarking this contract's value against other federal court reporting contracts would provide further insight into its relative cost.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates this contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and does not specify if it was set aside for small businesses. Without information on whether small businesses participated or if subcontracting opportunities exist, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were afforded a fair opportunity to compete or subcontract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs, likely managed by the VISN-10 administration. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms of the Firm Fixed Price contract and the delivery order, ensuring that the specified court reporting services are rendered to satisfaction. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where this award is recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

VHA VISN-10 Operations
Department of Veterans Affairs Legal Services
Federal Court Reporting Services
Administrative Support Contracts

Risk Flags

High Cost Per Day
Short Performance Duration vs. High Value
Potential Lack of Robust Competition
Limited Service Detail Provided

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $6,316.55 to VET REPORTING LLC. VHA VISN-10 COURT REPORTING 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 $6,316.55.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-09. End: 2025-12-19.

What specific services are included in this $6.3 million contract for only 10 days of performance?

The provided data does not detail the specific services included beyond 'Court Reporting and Stenotype Services.' However, a contract value of $6.3 million for a 10-day period implies an exceptionally high daily rate, potentially covering extensive transcription, real-time reporting for multiple proceedings simultaneously, complex legal environments, or specialized services. Without a detailed Statement of Work (SOW), it is impossible to ascertain the exact services. This high value for a short duration warrants further investigation into the scope and necessity of the services rendered to ensure cost-effectiveness for the taxpayer.

How does the $6.3 million value for 10 days of court reporting compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?

The value of $6.3 million for a 10-day court reporting contract is extraordinarily high when compared to typical market rates and similar federal contracts. Standard daily rates for court reporters can range from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars, depending on location, experience, and services like real-time transcription. Even for high-volume or complex proceedings, a total value of $6.3 million for just 10 days suggests a per-diem cost exceeding $600,000. This is significantly above industry benchmarks and raises serious questions about value for money. Further analysis comparing this to other VA or federal contracts for similar services, even those with longer durations, is essential to understand this anomaly.

What is the track record of Vet Reporting LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly for the VA?

Information regarding the specific track record of Vet Reporting LLC in performing federal contracts, especially for the Department of Veterans Affairs, is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance history, one would typically examine past contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. A thorough review of their past performance would be crucial in understanding their capability to deliver the required court reporting services effectively and efficiently, particularly given the high value of this recent award.

What are the potential risks associated with a contract of this value and short duration?

The primary risk associated with a contract valued at $6.3 million for only 10 days of performance is the potential for significant overpayment or poor value for money. The high cost per day could indicate a lack of sufficient competition, an inflated pricing structure, or an overestimation of the required services. Other risks include the possibility of inadequate service delivery if the contractor is not fully prepared for the scope implied by the value, or if the short duration leads to rushed processes. Ensuring robust oversight and clear deliverables is critical to mitigate these risks and confirm that taxpayer funds are used appropriately.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns for court reporting services within the Department of Veterans Affairs?

This contract represents a significant, albeit short-term, expenditure for court reporting services within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Typically, VA spending on such services would be distributed across various VISNs and legal support functions, often through longer-term agreements or task orders against indefinite-delivery contracts. A single award of $6.3 million for a 10-day period is an outlier compared to routine spending. Analyzing historical VA spending on court reporting, including average contract values, durations, and number of awards, would help contextualize this specific contract and identify if it represents a trend or an exceptional event.

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: 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: $6,317

Exercised Options: $6,317

Current Obligation: $6,317

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C25023D0017

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline