Ohio's $2.9M contract for electronic birth records to Social Security Administration raises questions on competition and value
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,920,763 ($2.9M)
Contractor: Ohio Department of Health
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2019-06-29
End Date: 2024-06-28
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: OH ENUMERATION AT BIRTH (EAB) OHIO ELECTRONIC BIRTH RECORDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN) AT BIRTH.
Place of Performance
Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43215
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $2.9 million to OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH for work described as: OH ENUMERATION AT BIRTH (EAB) OHIO ELECTRONIC BIRTH RECORDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN) AT BIRTH. Key points: 1. The contract's value of $2.9M over five years for electronic birth records is significant. 2. Competition appears limited as the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. 3. Potential risks include lack of competitive pricing and limited oversight. 4. The sector is IT services, specifically data processing and hosting.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The $2.9M price tag for IT services over five years needs comparison to similar government contracts for electronic record management and data processing. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to ascertain if this price represents fair market value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a potential lack of full and open competition. This limits price discovery and may lead to suboptimal pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for this contract. The lack of competition raises concerns about whether the most cost-effective solution was secured, potentially impacting the efficient use of public funds.
Public Impact
Ensures timely processing of Social Security Numbers for newborns. Supports a critical government function by providing necessary data infrastructure. Potential for data privacy and security concerns with sensitive birth records.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Limited transparency
Positive Signals
- Supports essential government function
- Long-term contract provides stability
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically data processing and hosting. Government spending in this area is substantial, and benchmarks for similar services are crucial for evaluating cost-effectiveness.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's limited competition and lack of detailed justification raise oversight concerns. Robust oversight is needed to ensure fair pricing, data security, and effective service delivery.
Related Government Programs
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated costs
- Insufficient justification for sole-source or limited competition
- Data security and privacy risks
- Limited transparency in procurement process
Tags
computing-infrastructure-providers-data-, social-security-administration, oh, purchase-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $2.9 million to OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. OH ENUMERATION AT BIRTH (EAB) OHIO ELECTRONIC BIRTH RECORDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN) AT BIRTH.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-06-29. End: 2024-06-28.
What is the justification for not competing this contract under SAP, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?
The data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. A thorough review of the contract file would be necessary to understand the specific justification provided for this approach. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the procurement process and whether adequate measures were in place to ensure fair pricing and value for taxpayer money.
What are the specific data security and privacy protocols in place for handling sensitive Ohio electronic birth records?
The contract details do not specify the data security and privacy protocols. Given the sensitive nature of birth records and SSN data, stringent security measures, compliance with relevant regulations (like HIPAA if applicable), and regular audits are essential. The Social Security Administration, as the agency receiving the data, likely has its own robust security framework, but the contract itself should outline specific requirements.
How does the performance of this contract align with the Social Security Administration's objectives for processing SSNs at birth?
The contract's primary objective is to facilitate obtaining SSNs at birth using Ohio's electronic birth records. The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the reliability and timeliness of the data transfer and processing. Performance metrics, service level agreements, and historical data on successful SSN issuances linked to this contract would be needed to fully assess its alignment with the agency's goals.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 246 N HIGH ST, COLUMBUS, OH, 43215
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,920,763
Exercised Options: $2,920,763
Current Obligation: $2,920,763
Actual Outlays: $2,545,326
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-06-29
Current End Date: 2024-06-28
Potential End Date: 2024-06-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-23
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