SSA's $2.08M VHR Services Contract Awarded to StratComm, Inc. for 37,910 Hearings
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,075,952 ($2.1M)
Contractor: Stratcomm, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2026-01-01
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: SUB-REGION 5-2 (ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MINNESOTA, AND WISCONSIN) VERBATIM HEARING RECORDER (VHR) SERVICES. PROVIDE DIGITAL RECORDING FOR DISABILITY HEARINGS. TASK ORDER FOR 37,910 HEARINGS.
Place of Performance
Location: INDIANAPOLIS, MARION County, INDIANA, 46204
State: Indiana Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $2.1 million to STRATCOMM, INC. for work described as: SUB-REGION 5-2 (ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MINNESOTA, AND WISCONSIN) VERBATIM HEARING RECORDER (VHR) SERVICES. PROVIDE DIGITAL RECORDING FOR DISABILITY HEARINGS. TASK ORDER FOR 37,910 HEARINGS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on digital recording for disability hearings, a critical administrative function. 2. StratComm, Inc. is the sole awardee for this specific task order. 3. Potential risk lies in the reliance on a single vendor for a crucial service. 4. The IT services sector, specifically document preparation and recording, is relevant here.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.08M for 37,910 hearings suggests a per-hearing cost of approximately $54.75. Benchmarking against similar audio/visual recording services for government hearings is needed to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: $54.75
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a limited competition approach. This method may impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to broader competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for essential administrative services. The limited competition raises questions about whether the most cost-effective solution was secured.
Public Impact
Ensures accessibility for disability hearings through digital recording. Supports the administrative efficiency of the Social Security Administration. Impacts individuals navigating the disability claims process. Provides a digital record for appeals and case management.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may reduce cost savings.
- Vendor lock-in for essential hearing recording.
- Dependence on technology for critical legal processes.
Positive Signals
- Supports a vital government function.
- Provides digital records for improved case management.
- Clear task order for a defined number of hearings.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically document preparation and recording. Benchmarks for similar digital recording services for administrative or legal proceedings would provide context for the pricing.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as both the awarding agency and the contractor are large entities. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting opportunities exist.
Oversight & Accountability
The Social Security Administration is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for task orders, including performance monitoring and payment verification, should be in place.
Related Government Programs
- Document Preparation Services
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
- Potential for vendor performance issues impacting hearing schedules.
- Reliance on technology for critical legal documentation.
- Data security and integrity risks associated with digital recordings.
Tags
document-preparation-services, social-security-administration, in, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $2.1 million to STRATCOMM, INC.. SUB-REGION 5-2 (ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MINNESOTA, AND WISCONSIN) VERBATIM HEARING RECORDER (VHR) SERVICES. PROVIDE DIGITAL RECORDING FOR DISABILITY HEARINGS. TASK ORDER FOR 37,910 HEARINGS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is STRATCOMM, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.
What is the historical performance of StratComm, Inc. in providing similar VHR services to government agencies?
Assessing StratComm, Inc.'s past performance is crucial for understanding their reliability and capability in delivering Verbatim Hearing Recorder (VHR) services. Reviewing previous government contracts, client feedback, and any documented issues or successes will provide insight into their track record. This information helps predict the likelihood of successful contract execution and identify potential risks related to vendor performance.
How does the per-unit cost of $54.75 compare to industry benchmarks for digital recording services for similar administrative or legal proceedings?
Comparing the per-unit cost of $54.75 to industry benchmarks is essential for evaluating the contract's value. Researching average costs for audio/visual recording, transcription, and digital archiving services in the legal and administrative sectors can reveal if this price is competitive. A higher-than-average cost might indicate inefficiencies or a lack of competitive pressure, while a lower cost could suggest a good deal or potential quality concerns.
What measures are in place to ensure the integrity and security of the digital recordings generated by these VHR services?
Ensuring the integrity and security of digital recordings is paramount, especially for legal proceedings. The contract should specify data security protocols, encryption standards, and access controls. Understanding the vendor's data handling procedures, storage methods, and disaster recovery plans is vital to prevent data loss, unauthorized access, or tampering, thereby maintaining the legal validity of the records.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › Document Preparation 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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Stratcomm Inc.
Address: 24 SUPERIOR DR, NATICK, MA, 01760
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,075,952
Exercised Options: $2,075,952
Current Obligation: $2,075,952
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321323DR0560002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-01-01
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2026-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-18
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