Solicitation for Region 5-2 VHR Services   2

Background
This solicitation is for Verbatim Hearing Recorder (VHR) services required for SSA's Region 5-2. 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 5-2, which encompasses Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

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 access the E5H – Itinerary of Scheduled Hearings for VHRs Contractors report from within their @ssa.gov email account. The VHR shall utilize the information in this report to connect all participants to each hearing in the docket. The VHR shall verify all hearing recording equipment is set-up correctly and functioning properly prior to the start of each hearing as outlined in the training documents on the VHR Training website.

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 5-2, which encompasses Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.