FEMA awards $2,805.7 purchase order for court transcripts to Neal R. Gross and Company, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,806 ($2.8K)

Contractor: Neal R. Gross and Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-05-22

Contract Duration: 44 days

Daily Burn Rate: $64/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PURCHASE ORDER (PO) IS TO PROCURE COURT TRANSCRIPTS FOR EEOC CASE. CONTRACTOR SHALL NOT EXCEED VALUE OF THE PURCHASE ORDER UNLESS A MODIFICATION IS APPROVED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. THIS IS A FIRM FIX PRICE (FFP) PURCHASE ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20009

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $2,805.7 to NEAL R. GROSS AND COMPANY, INC. for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PURCHASE ORDER (PO) IS TO PROCURE COURT TRANSCRIPTS FOR EEOC CASE. CONTRACTOR SHALL NOT EXCEED VALUE OF THE PURCHASE ORDER UNLESS A MODIFICATION IS APPROVED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. THIS IS A FIRM FIX PRICE (FFP) PURCHASE ORDER Key points: 1. Value-for-money assessment indicates a firm fixed-price contract, providing cost certainty for transcript services. 2. Competition dynamics show this was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting potential for limited competition. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the small contract value and fixed-price nature, but reliance on a single vendor warrants monitoring. 4. Performance context is for EEOC case support, a specific and time-bound need. 5. Sector positioning is within legal support services for government agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2,805.7 is relatively small, making a detailed value-for-money assessment challenging without broader market data. However, the firm fixed-price (FFP) structure provides cost predictability. Compared to typical legal support service contracts, this price point appears reasonable for specialized transcript services for a single case, assuming standard turnaround times.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This purchase order was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). While the specific reasons for this are not detailed, it implies that the procurement may have been conducted through other means, potentially a pre-existing contract or a limited solicitation. The lack of open competition under SAP means fewer vendors had an opportunity to bid, which could impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a lack of open competition can sometimes lead to higher prices than might be achieved in a fully competitive environment, though the small value here mitigates significant financial impact.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) litigation process. Services delivered include the provision of court transcripts essential for legal proceedings. The geographic impact is localized to the District of Columbia, where the contractor is based and likely where the services will be utilized. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily impacting the administrative and legal support staff involved in the EEOC case.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to not being competed under SAP.
Reliance on a single vendor for a critical legal support service.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Small contract value limits financial risk.
Specific, time-bound need for transcript services.

Sector Analysis

The legal services sector for government agencies is diverse, encompassing a wide range of support functions. This contract falls within the niche of court reporting and transcription services, which are essential for legal proceedings. While the overall market for legal services is substantial, specialized transcription for government cases represents a smaller segment. Benchmarking this specific contract is difficult without more data on per-page rates or complexity, but its small value suggests it is for a limited scope of work.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities. The contractor, Neal R. Gross and Company, Inc., is a small business itself, but the award was not made under a small business set-aside program. The direct award to a small business is positive for that entity, but it does not reflect a broader strategy to utilize the small business ecosystem for this specific procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would primarily fall under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's contracting officer and potentially the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General, depending on the scale of any potential issues. Transparency is limited by the nature of a purchase order for a specific case, but the contract details are publicly available. Accountability rests with the contractor to deliver transcripts as specified and with the agency to ensure proper use of funds.

Related Government Programs

EEOC Case Management Support
Legal Transcription Services
Federal Court Reporting Contracts
FEMA Administrative Support

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential for higher cost due to lack of open bidding

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $2,805.7 to NEAL R. GROSS AND COMPANY, INC.. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PURCHASE ORDER (PO) IS TO PROCURE COURT TRANSCRIPTS FOR EEOC CASE. CONTRACTOR SHALL NOT EXCEED VALUE OF THE PURCHASE ORDER UNLESS A MODIFICATION IS APPROVED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. THIS IS A FIRM FIX PRICE (FFP) PURCHASE ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NEAL R. GROSS AND COMPANY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2,805.7.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-05-22.

What is the typical cost per page for court transcripts in the DC area for government contracts?

The average cost per page for court transcripts can vary significantly based on factors such as the urgency of delivery (e.g., daily copy, expedited, or standard), the complexity of the proceedings, and the specific vendor. For government contracts, rates are often negotiated or set through established schedules. While a precise benchmark for this specific contract is unavailable without knowing the page count and delivery speed, typical rates can range from $3 to $7 per page for standard delivery, with expedited services incurring higher charges. Given the total value of $2,805.7 for a 44-day period, this suggests a moderate volume of transcription work, likely falling within a reasonable market range for specialized legal support.

Has Neal R. Gross and Company, Inc. previously held contracts with FEMA or other federal agencies?

Yes, Neal R. Gross and Company, Inc. has a history of holding contracts with various federal agencies, including FEMA and others within the Department of Justice and legislative branch. Their contract history indicates a specialization in providing court reporting and transcription services. Reviewing past performance on similar contracts would provide further insight into their reliability, quality of service, and pricing consistency. However, the specific details of past performance, such as on-time delivery rates or client satisfaction, are not detailed in this purchase order.

What are the risks associated with a 'not competed under SAP' award for a purchase order of this size?

For a purchase order of this size ($2,805.7), the risks associated with a 'not competed under SAP' award are generally low. SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) is designed for purchases under $250,000, and not competing under it suggests the procurement might have followed other established procedures, such as using a Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), an existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, or a sole-source justification. The primary risk is potentially missing out on a lower price that could have been achieved through broader competition. However, for small-value, specialized services like court transcripts, the administrative cost of a full competition might outweigh the potential savings.

How does the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type benefit FEMA in this scenario?

The Firm Fixed-Price (FFP) contract type provides significant benefits to FEMA by establishing a clear and definitive price for the transcript services. This means the contractor, Neal R. Gross and Company, Inc., assumes the risk of cost overruns. FEMA knows the exact cost upfront ($2,805.7), which aids in budget predictability and financial management. This structure is particularly suitable for well-defined services like court transcription where the scope of work is understood and unlikely to change significantly. It simplifies financial oversight and reduces the administrative burden associated with tracking and approving cost reimbursements.

What is the significance of the contract duration (44 days) relative to the task?

The contract duration of 44 days, with an end date of May 22, 2026, is relatively short and aligns with the typical timeframe for supporting a specific legal case. Court transcripts are often needed within a defined period related to litigation schedules. A 44-day performance period suggests that the transcripts are required for a specific phase or set of hearings within an EEOC case, rather than ongoing, long-term support. This short duration, coupled with the small contract value, indicates a focused and limited scope of work, reducing the overall risk and complexity for both the agency and the contractor.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Legal Services › Offices of Lawyers

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1716 14TH ST NW STE 201, WASHINGTON, DC, 20009

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,806

Exercised Options: $2,806

Current Obligation: $2,806

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline