Treasury's $676K contract for transcription services awarded to Diaz Data Services LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $67,639 ($67.6K)

Contractor: Diaz Data Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2023-05-18

End Date: 2026-05-17

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $62/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN County, PENNSYLVANIA, 17110

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $67,639.34 to DIAZ DATA SERVICES LLC for work described as: TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value represents a modest investment within the broader federal spending landscape for administrative support. 2. Competition dynamics for this specific service appear to have favored a broad approach, potentially leading to competitive pricing. 3. The fixed-price contract structure mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Performance will be assessed against defined service level agreements, providing a clear benchmark for success. 5. This contract falls under administrative and support services, a common category within federal procurement. 6. The duration of the contract suggests a need for sustained transcription support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $676,393.40 over three years for transcription services appears reasonable when benchmarked against similar federal contracts for administrative support. The firm fixed-price nature of the award helps control costs. Without specific per-unit data, a direct comparison is challenging, but the overall value seems aligned with market rates for such services, especially considering the potential for specialized transcription needs.

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,' indicating that the opportunity was broadly advertised, and multiple bids were likely considered. The presence of 8 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation from contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by securing the best possible price for transcription services.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring accurate transcription of meetings, hearings, or other audio/visual content will benefit from this service. The services delivered will ensure the creation of reliable written records for official documentation and accessibility. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting the Bureau of the Fiscal Service's operations. The contract supports the workforce within the transcription services industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if service quality is exceptionally high and switching costs are significant.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical transcription needs could pose a risk if the vendor experiences operational issues.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition suggests a robust selection process, likely resulting in a qualified vendor.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration of three years indicates a stable and ongoing need, suggesting the service is valued.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader administrative and support services sector, specifically focusing on transcription. This sector is characterized by a mix of large and small businesses providing essential operational support to government agencies. Federal spending in this area is consistent, driven by the need for documentation, record-keeping, and accessibility across various departments. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar transcription or temporary administrative support services across different agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (sb: false). While Diaz Data Services LLC's size is not specified, the broad competition suggests that both small and large businesses had the opportunity to bid. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service's contracting officers and program managers. Performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract will be used to ensure accountability. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are publicly reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Temporary Help Services
Administrative Support Services
Transcription Services
Federal Procurement Data

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if transcription quality does not meet standards.
Risk of data security breaches if sensitive information is not handled appropriately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $67,639.34 to DIAZ DATA SERVICES LLC. TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DIAZ DATA SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Bureau of the Fiscal Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $67,639.34.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-05-18. End: 2026-05-17.

What is the historical spending pattern for transcription services by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service?

Analyzing historical spending for transcription services by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service requires access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. Without specific historical data for this exact service category, we can infer trends from broader administrative support spending. Federal agencies consistently require transcription for various purposes, including official proceedings, accessibility, and record-keeping. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on agency priorities, specific project needs, and the availability of internal resources versus contracted services. A review of past contracts would reveal if this is a recurring need, the typical contract values, and the primary contractors utilized. It's common for agencies to consolidate such services into larger contracts over time to achieve economies of scale and streamline procurement.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to market rates for transcription services?

Determining the precise per-unit cost requires knowing the volume of transcription (e.g., hours of audio, number of pages) associated with the $676,393.40 contract value. Transcription rates can vary significantly based on factors like audio quality, turnaround time, complexity of the subject matter (e.g., technical jargon), and the level of accuracy required. Market rates for transcription services can range from $1 to $5 per audio minute, or $0.50 to $2.50 per page, depending on these variables. Given the firm fixed-price nature, Diaz Data Services LLC has likely calculated their pricing based on anticipated volumes and service levels. A detailed analysis would involve comparing the implied per-unit cost from this contract against industry benchmarks for similar service levels and turnaround times.

What is the track record of Diaz Data Services LLC in performing federal contracts?

Evaluating the track record of Diaz Data Services LLC requires examining their past performance on federal contracts. This includes reviewing contract history for timeliness of delivery, quality of service, adherence to budget, and any past performance issues or awards. Federal procurement databases often contain past performance information, though detailed qualitative assessments may be limited. A positive track record typically involves successful completion of multiple contracts, positive feedback from government clients, and minimal disputes or contract terminations. Conversely, a history of performance issues, such as missed deadlines or subpar quality, would raise concerns. Without specific data on Diaz Data Services LLC's past federal contract performance, it is difficult to definitively assess their reliability for this current award.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks for this transcription services contract include service quality issues (inaccuracy, missed deadlines), vendor financial instability, or data security breaches. Mitigation strategies are embedded within the contract structure and oversight. The firm fixed-price (FFP) award shifts some financial risk to the contractor. Performance standards and deliverables outlined in the contract provide clear metrics for quality assessment. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service's contracting officer is responsible for monitoring performance and addressing any deficiencies. Data security protocols and compliance requirements, standard in federal contracts, aim to protect sensitive information. The contract duration also allows for a stable relationship, but contingency planning for vendor failure or performance degradation is a standard government practice.

How does this contract align with the Bureau of the Fiscal Service's overall mission and objectives?

This contract for transcription services directly supports the Bureau of the Fiscal Service's mission by ensuring accurate and accessible documentation of official proceedings, meetings, and communications. Reliable record-keeping is crucial for transparency, accountability, and legal compliance within any government agency. By outsourcing transcription, the Bureau can ensure high-quality output without diverting internal resources from its core financial management and service delivery functions. This allows personnel to focus on specialized tasks, enhancing overall operational efficiency. The availability of accurate transcripts facilitates informed decision-making, public access to information, and the maintenance of a comprehensive historical record for the agency.

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

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3601 GREEN ST, HARRISBURG, PA, 17110

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $99,639

Exercised Options: $81,639

Current Obligation: $67,639

Actual Outlays: $57,825

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F0241Y

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline