SSA Awards $1.17M for Electronic Death Records in New York, Lacking Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,165,948 ($1.2M)

Contractor: Public Health Solutions

Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration

Start Date: 2023-12-27

End Date: 2026-12-26

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK (NY) - ELECTRONIC DEATH RECORDS (EDR).

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10013

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Social Security Administration obligated $1.2 million to PUBLIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS for work described as: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK (NY) - ELECTRONIC DEATH RECORDS (EDR). Key points: 1. Spending focuses on critical infrastructure for death record management. 2. No competition was utilized, raising questions about price discovery. 3. The contract duration is 3 years, with a total value of $1.17M. 4. The award is a Purchase Order, indicating a specific need fulfillment.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $1.17M over three years for computing infrastructure and data processing services appears high given the lack of competition. Benchmarking is difficult without comparable contract data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a limited competition approach. This method may not yield the best pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competitive bidding could result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these essential data processing services.

Public Impact

Ensures the continuity of electronic death record management for New York. Supports the Social Security Administration's data processing needs. Potential for increased costs to taxpayers due to non-competitive award.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpayment
Limited transparency in pricing

Positive Signals

Essential service provision
Clear contract duration and value

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the IT and Data Processing sector, specifically for computing infrastructure and web hosting. Spending in this area is substantial across federal agencies, with benchmarks varying widely based on service scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or considerations for small businesses in this award. The focus appears to be on fulfilling a specific service need.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made via a Purchase Order, which typically has less stringent oversight than larger contract vehicles. Further review of the procurement process is warranted.

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 competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency
No small business set-aside identified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Social Security Administration awarded $1.2 million to PUBLIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS. NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK (NY) - ELECTRONIC DEATH RECORDS (EDR).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PUBLIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-12-27. End: 2026-12-26.

What was the justification for not competing this contract, especially given its value?

The justification for not competing this contract is not explicitly stated in the provided data. Typically, agencies may opt for limited competition due to specific vendor capabilities, urgent needs, or existing relationships. However, for a contract of this value, a more robust competitive process is generally expected to ensure optimal value for taxpayer dollars.

What are the risks associated with a non-competed IT service contract of this nature?

The primary risks include potential overpayment due to the absence of competitive pricing pressure, reduced innovation from a lack of market engagement, and vendor lock-in. There's also a risk that the services provided may not be the most cost-effective or technologically advanced available on the market.

How does this spending align with the Social Security Administration's overall IT modernization goals?

Without specific details on the SSA's IT modernization strategy, it's difficult to definitively assess alignment. However, relying on non-competed contracts for critical infrastructure could potentially hinder modernization efforts if it prevents the agency from accessing newer, more efficient technologies or services available through competitive procurement.

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: 40 WORTH ST, NEW YORK, NY, 10013

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,121,908

Exercised Options: $1,165,948

Current Obligation: $1,165,948

Actual Outlays: $663,760

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline