Social Security Administration awards $118.8K BPA Call for medical disability claim reviews in the Midwest/West

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $118,800 ($118.8K)

Contractor: Robicheau Nicole M

Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration

Start Date: 2025-08-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 333 days

Daily Burn Rate: $357/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR REGIONAL MEDICAL CONTRACTOR SERVICES IN THE MID-WEST/WEST REGION (CHICAGO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER FOR INDEPENDENT CASE REVIEWS.

Place of Performance

Location: DEDHAM, NORFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02026

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Social Security Administration obligated $118,800 to ROBICHEAU NICOLE M for work described as: BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR REGIONAL MEDICAL CONTRACTOR SERVICES IN THE MID-WEST/WEST REGION (CHICAGO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER FOR INDEPENDENT CASE REVIEWS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on independent case reviews for the agency's disability program. 2. The BPA Call structure allows for flexible ordering of services. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs. 4. Limited competition is noted, raising questions about optimal pricing. 5. Contract duration extends through mid-2026. 6. Services are geographically focused on the Midwest/West region.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $118,800 for approximately 333 days of service appears reasonable on a per-day basis. However, without specific details on the scope of each case review or the complexity involved, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the lack of robust competition could potentially lead to less favorable pricing than a more open procurement might yield. Benchmarking value would require understanding the average number of cases reviewed and the depth of each review.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was issued as a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, which is not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). This suggests a limited competition environment, likely leveraging an existing BPA. The specific details of how many vendors were considered or if this was a sole-source call under an existing BPA are not fully clear from the provided data. Limited competition can sometimes result in higher prices compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition can mean that the government may not be achieving the lowest possible price for these essential disability review services. This could lead to a less efficient use of public funds if better pricing was available through a more competitive process.

Public Impact

Benefits individuals applying for disability benefits by ensuring timely and independent case reviews. Delivers essential medical consulting services for the Social Security Administration's disability determination process. Geographic impact is concentrated in the Midwest/West region, specifically mentioning Chicago. Supports the administrative workforce involved in processing disability claims.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may result in higher costs for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes assessing contractor efficiency difficult.
Geographic concentration could limit access to a broader pool of expertise.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
BPA Call structure allows for agile response to agency needs.
Focus on independent reviews enhances the integrity of the disability program.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically medical consulting. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 621112, 'Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists,' indicates the nature of the services. The market for such services is driven by government needs for specialized expertise in evaluating complex medical cases for disability claims. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar medical review services across different agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb flags) is false for this contract. Therefore, there is no direct small business set-aside analysis applicable. Subcontracting implications are also not specified, and the impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal given the lack of set-aside provisions.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Social Security Administration's program management and contracting offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases, though specific performance metrics and detailed justifications for limited competition might require further inquiry. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Social Security Administration Disability Insurance Program
Federal Medical Consulting Services
Independent Medical Examinations
Government Contract Vehicles (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Lack of Detailed Performance Metrics
Potential for Suboptimal Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Social Security Administration awarded $118,800 to ROBICHEAU NICOLE M. BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR REGIONAL MEDICAL CONTRACTOR SERVICES IN THE MID-WEST/WEST REGION (CHICAGO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER FOR INDEPENDENT CASE REVIEWS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ROBICHEAU NICOLE M.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $118,800.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the typical workload or number of case files reviewed under similar BPA Calls for the SSA?

The provided data indicates a contract duration of 333 days and a total value of $118,800. Without specific call orders or task details, it's difficult to ascertain the exact workload. However, if we assume a relatively consistent daily rate, this suggests a budget of approximately $357 per day. Typical workloads for independent case reviews can vary significantly based on the complexity of the medical conditions, the volume of documentation, and the specific requirements of the agency. For a firm fixed-price contract of this nature, the contractor is expected to manage their resources to complete the required reviews within the allocated budget and timeframe. Benchmarking against other SSA contracts or similar federal procurements for medical reviews would be necessary to establish a typical range for case file reviews per day or per contract.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to market rates for independent medical reviews?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $118,800 BPA Call against market rates for independent medical reviews is challenging without more granular data. The contract is for 'Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists' (NAICS 621112) and covers 'reviews by medical consultant of disability claim case files.' The firm fixed-price nature means the total cost is set, but the per-unit cost (e.g., per case review) is not explicitly stated. Market rates for such services can fluctuate based on the specialty of the physician, the complexity of the case, the required turnaround time, and the geographic location. Generally, government contracts aim for fair and reasonable pricing, often achieved through competition. Given the 'limited' competition noted, it's possible that the pricing might be higher than if it were fully competed. A detailed analysis would require comparing the number of cases expected to be reviewed and the depth of each review against prevailing rates charged by private medical consulting firms to other entities.

What are the specific risks associated with a 'limited' competition procurement for medical review services?

A 'limited' competition procurement for medical review services, as indicated for this BPA Call, carries several potential risks. Primarily, it can lead to reduced price competition, meaning the government may not secure the most cost-effective services available in the market. This could result in higher overall spending for the Social Security Administration's disability program. Secondly, limited competition might restrict the pool of potential contractors, potentially excluding highly qualified or innovative firms that could offer superior services or better value. This can also reduce the incentive for incumbent contractors to maintain high performance standards and competitive pricing over time. Furthermore, a lack of transparency in the selection process can raise concerns about fairness and the potential for favoritism, although this is not explicitly indicated here. Ensuring the selected contractor provides high-quality, unbiased reviews is paramount, and limited competition can sometimes obscure the best value determination.

What is the track record of the contractor, ROBICHEAU NICOLE M, with the Social Security Administration or similar agencies?

The provided data identifies ROBICHEAU NICOLE M as the contractor. However, it does not include specific details about their past performance, track record, or previous contracts with the Social Security Administration (SSA) or other federal agencies. To assess their track record, one would typically look at past performance evaluations, contract history, any reported issues or disputes, and their experience in providing similar medical consulting and disability claim review services. Without this information, it is difficult to gauge their reliability, quality of service, and ability to meet the requirements of this BPA Call effectively. Further investigation into federal procurement databases and performance reporting systems would be necessary to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the contractor's history.

How does the $118,800 award amount compare to historical SSA spending on similar medical review services?

The award amount of $118,800 for this specific BPA Call is relatively modest in the context of the Social Security Administration's overall budget for disability determination services. The SSA processes millions of disability claims annually, requiring extensive medical reviews. Historical spending on similar services can range from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope, duration, and number of contracts awarded. This particular contract appears to be for a specific regional need and duration (333 days). To provide a meaningful comparison, one would need to analyze SSA's historical spending patterns for independent medical reviews, broken down by contract type (e.g., BPAs, task orders, individual contracts), geographic region, and service provider type. This $118,800 award is likely a small component of the SSA's broader medical consulting expenditure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Physicians › Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › OTHER MEDICAL 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: 114 CHICKERING RD, DEDHAM, MA, 02026

Business Categories: Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $118,800

Exercised Options: $118,800

Current Obligation: $118,800

Actual Outlays: $43,362

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 28321321AC0540049

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline