GAO awards $3,756 for AI Cybersecurity Tech Assessment Transcription Services via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,756 ($3.8K)
Contractor: Heritage Reporting Corporation
Awarding Agency: Government Accountability Office
Start Date: 2026-04-14
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 169 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: RECORDING & TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES FOR EXPERT MEETING CONSISTING OF A THREE DAY VIRTUAL SESSIONS FOR GAO ENGAGEMENT 108458 (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR CYBERSECURITY TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT).
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20036
Plain-Language Summary
Government Accountability Office obligated $3,756 to HERITAGE REPORTING CORPORATION for work described as: RECORDING & TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES FOR EXPERT MEETING CONSISTING OF A THREE DAY VIRTUAL SESSIONS FOR GAO ENGAGEMENT 108458 (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR CYBERSECURITY TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT). Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Heritage Reporting Corporation for transcription services. 2. Services support GAO's Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity Technology Assessment. 3. Procurement utilized full and open competition, indicating a competitive market. 4. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting limited scope or duration.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $3,756 appears reasonable for specialized transcription services for a three-day virtual session. Benchmarking against similar contracts for expert meeting transcription would provide a more definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting a competitive process was initiated. This method generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The relatively low contract value of $3,756 suggests a minimal direct taxpayer impact, primarily covering essential services for a specific GAO engagement.
Public Impact
Ensures accurate documentation of expert insights on AI in cybersecurity. Supports GAO's oversight role in assessing emerging technologies. Provides valuable data for policymakers and the public on AI cybersecurity.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if meeting complexity increases.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical transcription.
Positive Signals
- Clear objective for transcription services.
- Competitive award process.
- Support for a high-priority GAO assessment.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting administrative and support services. Spending in this area is common across government agencies for specialized tasks.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is overseeing this contract, which aligns with its mission of improving government performance and accountability. The competitive award process suggests initial oversight was in place.
Related Government Programs
- Temporary Help Services
- Government Accountability Office Contracting
- GAO, Except Comptroller General Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials pricing.
- Dependence on vendor's ability to maintain transcription quality.
- Limited duration may require re-procurement for ongoing needs.
- Scope definition for virtual sessions could be subject to change.
Tags
temporary-help-services, government-accountability-office, dc, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Government Accountability Office awarded $3,756 to HERITAGE REPORTING CORPORATION. RECORDING & TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES FOR EXPERT MEETING CONSISTING OF A THREE DAY VIRTUAL SESSIONS FOR GAO ENGAGEMENT 108458 (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR CYBERSECURITY TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is HERITAGE REPORTING CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Government Accountability Office (GAO, Except Comptroller General).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3,756.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-14. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the expected impact of transcription accuracy on the GAO's AI cybersecurity assessment?
High transcription accuracy is crucial for the GAO's AI cybersecurity assessment. Inaccurate records could lead to misinterpretations of expert opinions, flawed analysis of AI technologies, and ultimately, recommendations that do not effectively address cybersecurity risks. Ensuring quality control for transcription is paramount for the integrity of the final report.
What are the primary risks associated with using a Time and Materials contract for transcription services?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts can pose risks of cost overruns if not carefully managed. The government may pay for actual labor hours and material costs, which can be less predictable than fixed-price contracts. Without strong oversight and defined ceilings, the total cost could exceed initial estimates, impacting overall value.
How effectively does this contract support GAO's mission of providing objective and non-partisan information?
This contract effectively supports GAO's mission by ensuring accurate and reliable documentation of expert discussions on AI for cybersecurity. Objective and precise transcription is fundamental to gathering the factual basis for GAO's assessments. By outsourcing this task to a professional service, GAO can focus its resources on analysis and reporting, upholding its commitment to providing credible information.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 05GA0A23Q0005
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1150 CONNECTICUT AVE NW STE 305, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,756
Exercised Options: $3,756
Current Obligation: $3,756
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 05GA0A23A0009
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-14
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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