NIGP 96124: Court Reporting Services

NIGP 96124 Court Reporting Services, an Item code, encompasses certified shorthand reporting, real-time captioning, and transcript production services that state and local governments procure for administrative hearings, judicial proceedings, legislative sessions, and public meetings. State agencies, county governments, cities, independent boards, and special-purpose districts are actively soliciting under this code, with substantial recent activity concentrated in Illinois, California, Washington, Michigan, Texas, Florida, and the District of Columbia. The scope spans traditional stenographic court reporting with certified shorthand reporters, electronic and video transcription services, real-time captioning with accessibility compliance (WCAG 2.2, ADA Title II), and expedited or same-day transcript delivery. Issuing bodies consistently require certification credentials—Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR), Certified Electronic Transcriber (CET), Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR), or Certified Realtime Captioner (CRC)—and impose minimum accuracy thresholds (typically 98 to 99 percent). Insurance requirements are standard across jurisdictions (commercial general liability $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate; professional liability $1 million per occurrence; workers' compensation as required). Illinois has issued multiple procurements under this code, including the Illinois Labor Relations Board (May and May 2026), Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (September 2026), and the State of Illinois administrative hearings contract (June 2026); these jurisdictions represent repeat or high-volume buyers.

Recent opportunities include the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (Washington) soliciting statewide certified court reporting services across eight locations with approximately 2,000 events annually, bids due November 30, 2026, under a 24-month term from July 1, 2027 with optional 48-month extension contingent on 95-percent-plus punctuality and attendance; the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (RFP #2026-ENF-00166) seeking certified shorthand reporters statewide across 58 counties, proposals due September 24, 2026, for $60,000 over 24 months with small-business and DVBE incentives (1–5 percent); Broward County, Florida (RFP GEN2132684B1) requesting real-time captioning and recording services on an open-end basis for county agencies, proposals due October 2, 2026, with SBE/CBE preferences and local-business tiebreaker consideration; the Texas Office of Court Administration (RFQ 212-27-0003) recruiting deputy court reporting services statewide, responses due September 1, 2026, with HUB subcontracting-plan pass-fail requirement; and the State of Michigan (RFP 260000001897) conducting a competitive procurement for statewide court reporting across multiple state agencies, proposals due June 5, 2026, with a five-year initial term and up to five one-year renewals. Small-business preferences, veteran-owned business incentives, and HUB subcontracting requirements appear in California, Washington, Texas, and Broward County solicitations. Contract values range from $60,000 to $150,000 (Michigan award recommendation) over multi-year terms, with per-page, hourly, and per-appearance pricing models common. Maryland Judiciary's RFI (July 2026) signals exploration of automation and AI-driven transcription technologies to improve quality and timeliness.