Grand Jury Court Reporting Services; U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Texas

Amendment / Modification

• This modification updates the Statement of Work (SOW) to reflect changes in deposition locations.

• Statement of Work (SOW) deposition locations.

• No impact on proposal deadlines or submission requirements is indicated.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide Grand Jury and Deposition Court Reporting Services for the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Eastern District of Texas.

• Provide labor, supervision, and transportation for court reporting services.

• Services include Grand Jury and Deposition testimony recording and transcription.

• Work is expected to commence on April 1, 2026.

• Minimum of one (1) and maximum of ten (10) court reporters per location.

• Minimum of one (1) and maximum of four (4) videographers per location.

• Locations include Sherman Courtroom Annex, Jack Brooks Federal Building in Beaumont, and USAO offices in Plano, Sherman, and Beaumont. Other locations may be determined.

• Services may be required at alternative locations.

• Reporters must be duly authorized notaries and comply with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

• Remote depositions are permitted and require specific capabilities.

• Transcripts to be delivered in .pdf or .ptx format within specified turnaround times (Regular/10 Business Days, Intermediate/5 Business Days, Daily/Next-Business Day, Expedited/Same-Business Day).

• Condensed transcripts and keyword indexing are required.

• Specific requirements for Grand Jury and Deposition transcripts, including title page information and exhibit handling.

• Recording methods include Steno-type, Real Time, CAT, Shorthand, Monitored Multi-Microphone, and Videotape.

• Reporters must have T4 High Risk Public Trust background clearance.

• Base Period: April 1, 2026 - March 31, 2027

• Four (4) Option Periods of one year each, for a total contract term not-to-exceed five (5) years.

• Performance locations are specified courthouses and USAO offices within the Eastern District of Texas, with potential for other locations.

• Government anticipates at least one (1), but not more than two (2) multiple awards.

• No Government Furnished Property is anticipated.

• Travel reimbursement is generally not paid; anticipated travel costs should be incorporated into pricing.

• Offerors requesting reimbursement for shipping or parking must complete specific line items in their quote.

• Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with Time-and-Materials (T&M) orders.

• Service Contract Labor Standards Act and associated Wage Determination are applicable.

• Key personnel require T4 Grand Jury Security clearance.

• Reports required include unauthorized entry, loss/compromise, change of ownership, and changes in storage capability.

• Invoices must include specific details and be submitted electronically.

• Minimum Dollar Guarantee: $3,000 for the initial Base Period.

• Evaluation will be based on Technical Approach, Organizational Past Performance, and Price, with Technical and Past Performance being more important than Price.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide Grand Jury and/or Deposition Court Reporting Services for the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) for the Eastern District of Texas.

• Provide labor, supervision, and transportation for court reporting services.

• Services include Grand Jury and Deposition testimony recording and transcription.

• Work is expected to commence on April 1, 2026.

• Minimum requirements: 1 court reporter per location (max 10), 1 videographer per location (max 4).

• Locations for Grand Jury: Sherman Courtroom Annex, Jack Brooks Federal Building (Beaumont), and other locations determined by the court.

• Locations for Depositions: USAO offices in Plano, Sherman, Beaumont, and other TBD locations.

• Historical data provided for planning purposes: Grand Jury meets 1-2 weeks/month (12-24 days/year), depositions average 100/year (8 hours each), zero simultaneous proceedings historically.

• Transcripts to be delivered in .pdf or .ptx format within specified turnaround times (Regular/10 business days, Intermediate/5 business days, Daily/Next-Business Day, Expedited/Same-Business Day).

• Condensed transcripts and Key Word Indexing also required.

• Specific requirements for transcript content, including title page information.

• Colloquy will not be transcribed unless requested by USAO.

• Grand Jury transcripts cannot be sold to anyone other than the Government.

• Videographer required to manage live video streaming and recording.

• Remote depositions require specific capabilities including exhibit control, screen views, breakout rooms, chat functions, and exhibit annotation.

• Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with Time-and-Materials (T&M) orders.

• Period of Performance: One (1) Base Year (4/1/2026 - 3/31/2027) with four (4) one-year Option Periods (total not-to-exceed five years).

• Place of Performance: Eastern District of Texas, with potential for remote services.

• Contractor must incorporate anticipated travel costs into pricing; travel reimbursement is not standard but may be approved case-by-case.

• Fixed unit prices include all costs (labor, material, equipment, overhead, G&A, profit).

• Service Contract Labor Standards Act and Wage Determinations apply.

• Applicable occupation codes: 01035 - Court Reporter, 01612 - Word Processor II.

• Grand Jury Court Reporters require T4 High Risk Public Trust background clearance.

• Offerors must address technical approach, including remote deposition capabilities.

• Evaluation based on Technical Approach, Organizational Past Performance, and Price (Technical and Past Performance are more important than Price).

• Minimum Dollar Guarantee: $3,000 for the initial Base Period.

• Government reserves the right to not make an award if submissions are not satisfactory or fair and reasonable.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding a solicitation for court reporting services.

• Current Vendor: Free State Reporting, contract number 15JA05-20-D-00000251, contract value $382,800.00. Vendor pricing is not disclosed.
• Work Distribution: Award distribution among multiple vendors will depend on the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP) recommendation, potentially by location or grand jury and deposition.
• Alternative Locations: Grand juries are held at the primary listed location unless an emergency arises. Depositions are typically held at office locations or via VTC.
• Beaumont Services: Grand jury proceedings and depositions are required in Beaumont, and the SOW has been updated to reflect this.
• Transcript Services: Condensed transcripts, keyword indexing, and additional copies are not separate CLINs and should not be bundled into the 'Regular Transcript' unit price. Only deliverables on the Price Schedule are to be anticipated.
• Pages per Session: The USAO does not have a calculation for the average number of pages per witness or session.
• Grand Jury Transcription: Not all Grand Jury proceedings are transcribed; transcripts are only ordered if needed for trial.
• Deposition Transcription: All depositions are transcribed.
• Reporter Requirements: A Texas Notary commission is preferred but not mandatory for reporters. If a reporter does not have one, they must be able to find someone who does.
• Cancellation Fee: Cancellation fees apply only if a grand jury session is completely cancelled, not if it is cancelled mid-session.
• Performance Priorities: Staffing reliability, accuracy, and turnaround time are critical performance areas.

The quote submission deadline has been extended to March 10, 2026.

Amendment / Modification

• The solicitation closing date and time has been extended.

• The Statement of Work (SOW) has been updated.

• Solicitation closing date/time.

• Statement of Work (SOW).

• The proposal submission deadline is extended to March 10, 2026.

• The original solicitation closing date was February 27, 2026.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide Grand Jury and/or Deposition Court Reporting Services for the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) for the Eastern District of Texas.

• Provide labor, supervision, and transportation for court reporting services.

• Services include Grand Jury and Deposition proceedings.

• Locations for Grand Jury: Sherman Courtroom Annex (200 N. Travis Street, Sherman, TX 75090) and other locations determined by the court.

• Locations for Depositions: USAO offices (101 E Park Blvd., Ste. 500, Plano, TX 75074; and 600 E. Taylor St., Ste. 2000, Sherman, TX 75090) and other locations TBD by parties.

• Minimum required court reporters per location: one (1).

• Maximum court reporters per location: ten (10).

• Minimum required videographers per location: one (1).

• Maximum videographers per location: four (4).

• Historical data provided for planning purposes: Grand Jury meets 1 week/month (week two), typically Wednesday/Thursday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Depositions are unscheduled, lasting approximately 8 hours each. Average 100 depositions/year. Average zero simultaneous proceedings/day.

• Transcripts to be delivered in .pdf or .ptx format.

• Turnaround times for transcripts:

  • Regular: 10 Business Days
  • Intermediate: 5 Business Days
  • Daily/Next-Business Day: Before 9:30 AM next business day
  • Expedited/Same-Business Day: By 9:00 PM same day

• Condensed transcripts required (four original pages reduced to one).

• Key Word Indexing required.

• Additional copies of transcripts may be ordered.

• Colloquy will not be transcribed unless requested by USAO.

• Each witness' testimony in a separate transcript.

• Grand Jury transcripts may not be sold to anyone other than the Government.

• Videographer required to manage live video streaming and record video.

• Remote depositions are permitted and require specific technical capabilities.

• Contract expected to commence on August 1, 2025.

• Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with Time-and-Materials (T&M) orders.

• Period of Performance: One (1) one-year Base Period with four (4) one-year Option Periods (total not-to-exceed five years).

• Base Year: 4/01/2026 - 3/31/2027

• Option Years 1-4: 4/01/2027 - 3/31/2031

• No Government Furnished Property.

• Contractor to incorporate anticipated travel costs into price list; travel reimbursement is limited and requires prior approval.

• All unit prices are fixed and include all costs.

• Service Contract Labor Standards Act and Wage Determinations apply.

• Applicable occupation codes: 01035 - Court Reporter and 01612 - Word Processor II.

• Grand Jury Court Reporters require T4 High Risk Public Trust background clearance.

• Reporters must be duly authorized notaries.

• Compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (Rules 28 and 30).

• Remote deposition capabilities required, including specific technical features.

• Specific reporting and recording requisites (Steno-type, CAT, Real Time, Video, etc.).

• Reports required: Unauthorized Entry, Loss/Compromise, Change of Ownership, Storage Capability changes, Master Index of Grand Jury sessions.

• Key Personnel: Grand Jury Court Reporters require T4 clearance.

• Government Personnel: Contracting Officer (Spencer Kroner), Contracting Officer's Representative (Lee Spikes).

• Payment: Monthly invoices, due by the 10th of the month, with specific information required.

• Minimum Dollar Guarantee: $3,000 for the initial Base Period.

• Evaluation Procedures: Best value determination, considering technical approach, past performance, and price. Technical and Past Performance are more important than Price.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for Grand Jury and/or Deposition Court Reporting Services for the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Texas, specifically in Beaumont and Sherman. The contract period of performance is from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031.

The services include various types of transcripts (Regular, Intermediate, Daily, Expedited), attendance fees, cancellation fees, additional copies, exhibit copies, and videographer attendance fees. These services are required for both Grand Jury and Deposition proceedings in Beaumont and Sherman.

• Contract Type: Time and Materials

• Period of Performance: April 1, 2026 - March 31, 2031

• Solicitation Number: 15JA0526Q00000031

• NAICS Code: 561492 (Court Reporting and Stenographic Services)

• Size Standard: Small Business

• Offer Due Date: March 9, 2026, 16:00 ET

• Evaluation factors are not explicitly detailed in the provided pages, but the solicitation incorporates FAR clauses related to evaluation.

This acquisition is set aside 100.00% for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB).

• The document includes numerous FAR clauses and provisions related to contract terms, conditions, representations, and certifications.
• Questions are due by March 4, 2026, 4:00 p.m. EST, via email to spencer.kroner@usdoj.gov.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (Solicitation Number: 15JA0526Q00000031) for Grand Jury and/or Deposition Court Reporting Services. The U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) on behalf of the United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Texas (USAO-TXE), intends to award an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for these services. The anticipated award date is March 2026.

• The contractor shall provide labor, supervision, and transportation necessary for court reporting services.

• Task orders awarded under this IDIQ will be Time & Materials (T&M).

• The contract will have one (1) base year and four (4) option year periods.

• The requirement is a 100% small business set-aside.

• The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 561492, Court Reporting and Stenotype Services, with a small business size standard of $19M in average annual receipts.

• All questions must be submitted via email to Spencer Kroner (spencer.kroner@usdoj.gov) no later than March 4, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. EST.

• All quotes must be emailed to Spencer Kroner (spencer.kroner@usdoj.gov) no later than March 9, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EST. Faxed, hand-delivered, or mailed quotes will not be accepted.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time of quote submission and throughout the contract duration.

• Quotes must include a cover page or complete the SF1449, including the Unique Entity ID (UEI) and Tax Identification Number (TIN).

• Refer to Attachment 3 - RFQ Check List for mandatory contents of quote submissions.

• This requirement is a 100% small business set-aside.

• Potential awardees' UEI will be verified in the SAM database.

• The government will not issue paper copies; interested parties are responsible for checking the website for updates.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 4, an RFQ Check List, designed to assist Offerors in preparing a complete quote for Solicitation #15JA0525Q00000054.

• Quote Information: Ensures the quote includes the Offeror's SAM Unique Identifier and Tax ID # on the SF1449 or Cover Page.
• GJ Material Handling: Requires understanding and adherence to specific procedures for handling Grand Jury (GJ) material, including disposal, storage, and recording.
• Volume I - Sub-Factor a: Requires resumes of prospective key personnel (up to 2 references each) and a minimum number of court reporters, depending on location. A full list of contractor personnel with access to GJ material is also required.
• Volume I - Sub-Factor b: Requires a two-page response addressing the proposed recording method/equipment and knowledge/implementation of Grand Jury security measures and staffing accessibility.
• Volume II - Past Performance: Requires organizational past performance references within the last 3 years of the Solicitation Issue Date.
• SAM Registration: Offerors must be active in SAM at the time of quotation submission. New registrations take 7-10 business days.
• FAR 52.212-3: Requires completion of Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items (Nov 2015) online in SAM.gov. Specific instructions are provided for SAM-registered vs. non-SAM-registered Offerors.
• FAR 52.209-7: Requires completion of Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Jul 2013) online in SAM.gov, or submission of the response to 52.209-7(b) with the quote.
• FAR 52.209-5: Requires completion of Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2015) online in SAM.gov.
• FAR 52.04-24: Requires completion of Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment online in SAM.gov, including paragraph (d), questions (1) and (2).

This checklist outlines critical submission requirements, including personnel qualifications, past performance, representations, certifications, and SAM registration status. Failure to address these items may impact the completeness and acceptability of the quote.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Grand Jury Court Reporter Inspection Checklist" designed to assess a contractor's compliance with security requirements for handling Grand Jury information. It serves as a tool for government reviewers to evaluate the contractor's facility, personnel, and equipment.

• General Information: Contractor and facility contact details.
• Personnel Security: Requirements for background checks and security approvals for court reporters.
• Information Security: Procedures for safeguarding Grand Jury information, including observation, protection, and understanding of policies.
• Physical Security: Requirements for storage locations, access control, facility type, and alarm systems.
• Information Technology: Standards for computers, data handling, media labeling, and sanitization.
• Shipping and Transmission: Procedures for securely sending Grand Jury material to the USAO.
• Government Review: A section for the reviewer to certify the findings of the inspection.

This checklist outlines the stringent security protocols and physical/technical safeguards that a contractor must adhere to when handling Grand Jury information. Bidders should review this document to understand the security obligations and infrastructure requirements necessary to perform services related to Grand Jury reporting. Compliance with these requirements is critical for contract award and ongoing performance.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a sample work order form for court reporting services. It is intended to be used by the USAO (United States Attorney's Office) to order specific court reporting services from a contractor.

• Date
• Contract Number
• Order Number
• Services Required
• Time, Place and Duration of Services
• Special Packaging or Shipping Requirements (if any)
• Signature lines for USAO Designated Authorized Individual and Contractor

This form provides an example of how court reporting services may be ordered under an existing contract. Bidders may use this as a reference to understand the type of information required when a work order is issued for court reporting services.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination (WD) issued under the Service Contract Act (SCA). It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits that must be paid to various occupational classifications of service employees performing work on covered federal contracts within specific geographic areas.

• Geographic Area: Texas Counties of Hardin, Jefferson, Orange.
• Occupational Classifications: Lists numerous job titles (e.g., Accounting Clerk, Administrative Assistant, Automotive Electrician, Computer Operator, Firefighter, etc.) with corresponding minimum hourly wage rates.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific benefits like Health & Welfare are detailed, including rates and conditions for application.
• Executive Orders: Mentions applicability of Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage), outlining requirements and minimum rates for 2025.
• Conformance Process: Details the procedure for contractors to request additional classifications and wage rates if an occupation is not listed in the determination.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the labor costs associated with performing the contract. It dictates the minimum wages and benefits that must be paid to employees, directly impacting the cost proposal. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these requirements for all listed occupations they intend to use. Failure to comply can lead to violations of the Service Contract Act.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination (WD 2015-5255, Revision 28) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division, under the Service Contract Act. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations performing work on federal contracts in Texas County of Grayson.

• Lists numerous occupational codes and titles, along with their corresponding minimum hourly wage rates.
• Specifies required fringe benefits for listed occupations.
• Includes notes on Executive Orders (EO 13706 and EO 13658) regarding paid sick leave and minimum wage rates for federal contractors.
• Details provisions for vacation and holidays.
• Outlines the process for conforming unlisted classifications and wage rates.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the labor costs associated with performing the contract. It dictates the minimum wages and benefits that must be paid to employees working on the contract, directly impacting the overall cost of proposals. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these requirements.