Solicitation for Region 4-3 VHR Services   2

Background
This solicitation is for Verbatim Hearing Recorder (VHR) services required for SSA's Region 4-3. The Contractor shall provide qualified and trained personnel identified as VHRs to assist the ALJ with administrative aspects of conducting a hearing, including digitally recording the hearing. Hearings under this contract will be conducted by SSA’s OHO at HOs, PRSs, and COV Sites in Region 4-3, which encompasses Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Work Details
The Contractor shall provide qualified and trained personnel identified as Verbatim Hearing Recorders (VHRs) to assist the ALJ with administrative aspects of conducting a hearing, including digitally recording the hearing. The VHR shall arrive at the office with sufficient lead time to open the hearing room, boot up Government-furnished hearing recording equipment, complete a test recording to ensure the recording equipment is functioning correctly, and initiate contact with the ALJ via Skype at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the first hearing.
The VHR shall greet and usher claimants, representatives, and other hearing participants into and out of the hearing room and self-identify as a VHR to them. The VHR shall accept medical and other additional evidence to bring to the Judge for his/her review, make copies as needed, and obtain necessary signatures on forms to present to the Judge. The VHR shall connect all parties to the hearing including the ALJ, claimant, representative, vocational expert (VE), medical experts (ME) and interpreter. The VHR shall begin recording the hearing upon instruction of the ALJ. The VHR shall annotate the digital recording in English throughout the hearing in order to provide an index of events during the hearing process. The VHR shall electronically complete the Hearing Recorder Worksheet for each hearing.

Period of Performance
Period of Performance: 09/01/2023 to 06/30/2027

Place of Performance
Hearings under this contract will be conducted by SSA’s OHO at HOs, PRSs, and COV Sites in Region 4-3, which encompasses Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.