VHA VISN-10 awards $2.3M contract for court reporting services to Vet Reporting LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,322 ($2.3K)

Contractor: VET Reporting LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-23

End Date: 2026-04-23

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: VHA VISN-10 COURT REPORTING SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, MONTGOMERY County, OHIO, 45428

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2,321.5 to VET REPORTING LLC for work described as: VHA VISN-10 COURT REPORTING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competitive pricing. 2. Services are essential for legal proceedings within the VHA VISN-10 network. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but market benchmarks are needed. 4. Limited competition may impact the government's ability to secure the best value. 5. The contract duration is one year, suggesting a need for ongoing services. 6. Geographic focus on Ohio (OH) indicates a specific regional requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.32 million for one year of court reporting services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized legal support. However, without specific details on the volume of services required (e.g., hours of transcription, number of depositions), a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for court reporting services across different federal agencies or within other VHA networks would provide a clearer picture of whether this pricing is competitive, especially given the limited competition observed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically allows for a broader range of competition than sole-source awards but may not always achieve full and open competition. The data does not specify the number of bidders or the extent of outreach conducted. Limited competition can sometimes lead to higher prices if potential bidders are not aware of the opportunity or if the requirements are narrowly defined, potentially excluding a wider pool of qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition means there's a reduced likelihood of securing the lowest possible price through robust bidding. This could result in a less efficient use of federal funds if alternative vendors could have offered comparable services at a lower cost.

Public Impact

Veterans and legal staff within the VHA VISN-10 network will benefit from accurate and timely court reporting services. Essential legal proceedings, hearings, and depositions related to veteran healthcare claims and administrative matters will be supported. The services will primarily impact the Ohio region, where VISN-10 facilities are located. The contract supports the administrative and legal functions of the Department of Veterans Affairs, indirectly impacting healthcare delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher costs due to limited competition.
Lack of transparency regarding the number of bidders and evaluation process.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical legal support services.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract helps in budget predictability.
Awarded to a vendor specializing in court reporting services.
Services are essential for the functioning of VHA legal processes.

Sector Analysis

The court reporting and stenography services sector (NAICS 561492) is a niche but critical support industry for legal and governmental functions. Federal agencies rely on these services for official record-keeping during hearings, depositions, and other legal proceedings. The market includes a mix of small and large firms, with specialized expertise in transcription, real-time reporting, and legal terminology. Federal spending in this area is often driven by the needs of agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, which require accurate and timely documentation for administrative and judicial processes.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and does not specify any small business set-aside provisions. While Vet Reporting LLC may be a small business, the contract itself was not explicitly set aside for small businesses. This means that larger businesses could have also bid. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans, so the direct impact on the broader small business ecosystem for court reporting services is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers responsible for VISN-10. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost control, but performance monitoring is crucial to ensure the quality and timeliness of reporting services. Transparency regarding the bidding process and vendor performance would be enhanced through public contract databases and potential Inspector General reviews if performance issues arise.

Related Government Programs

VHA Medical Services Contracts
Department of Veterans Affairs Legal Support
Federal Court Reporting Services
Administrative Support Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price.
Vendor's past performance not detailed.
Specific service volume and unit costs not provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2,321.5 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 $2,321.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-23. End: 2026-04-23.

What is the typical cost range for court reporting services for a federal agency of this size and scope?

Determining a precise typical cost range for federal court reporting services is complex due to variations in service scope, geographic location, and specific requirements (e.g., real-time transcription, daily copy, video conferencing). However, contracts for similar services can range from a few hundred thousand dollars to several million annually, depending on the volume of proceedings. Factors like the number of hours of reporting, the need for expedited transcripts, and the complexity of the subject matter significantly influence pricing. For a large network like VHA VISN-10, a $2.3 million annual contract suggests a substantial demand for these services, likely encompassing numerous hearings, depositions, and administrative proceedings across its facilities. Benchmarking against contracts from other federal agencies, such as the Department of Justice or other VA VISNs, would be necessary for a more accurate comparison.

How many bidders were considered during the competition for this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). While SAP is intended to promote competition, it does not guarantee a specific number of bidders. Often, under SAP, agencies may solicit quotes from a limited number of sources or conduct broader outreach depending on the perceived market and urgency. Without further details from the contract award notice or associated documentation, it is not possible to ascertain the exact number of bidders who submitted proposals. This lack of specific information makes it difficult to fully assess the level of competition achieved and its potential impact on pricing and value.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the contractor's performance?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for court reporting services typically focus on accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to established legal and transcription standards. Specific KPIs might include: 1) Transcript Accuracy Rate: Measured by the percentage of error-free transcripts, often requiring less than a certain number of errors per page or per transcript. 2) On-Time Delivery: Ensuring transcripts are delivered by the agreed-upon deadlines, with specific metrics for standard and expedited delivery. 3) Responsiveness: The contractor's ability to respond promptly to requests for services, scheduling, and transcript amendments. 4) Adherence to Formatting Standards: Compliance with specific formatting guidelines required by the VA or relevant courts. While not explicitly detailed in the provided data, these types of KPIs are standard for ensuring the quality and reliability of court reporting services.

Has Vet Reporting LLC performed similar contracts with the federal government previously?

Information regarding Vet Reporting LLC's prior federal contract history is not explicitly provided in the data snippet. However, the award of this contract by the Department of Veterans Affairs suggests that the vendor either has relevant experience or was deemed capable of performing the required services. To ascertain their track record, one would typically consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov (System for Award Management) or FPDS (Federal Procurement Data System) to review past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any potential past performance issues. Without this external data, it's difficult to definitively assess their previous experience with the federal government.

What is the potential risk associated with relying on a single vendor for these critical services?

Relying on a single vendor for critical court reporting services presents several potential risks. Firstly, it can lead to reduced negotiating leverage for the government, potentially resulting in higher prices over time as the vendor faces less competitive pressure. Secondly, there's a risk of service disruption if the vendor experiences financial difficulties, operational issues, or fails to meet performance standards, leaving the agency without essential support. Thirdly, a lack of competition can stifle innovation and the adoption of new technologies within the service provision. Finally, it limits the government's ability to switch to potentially better or more cost-effective providers should they emerge in the market. Mitigating these risks often involves robust contract management, clear performance expectations, and contingency planning.

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: $2,322

Exercised Options: $2,322

Current Obligation: $2,322

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C25023D0017

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline