SSA Awards $295K BPA Call to Locum Inc for Medical Consultant Services in West Region
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $295,400 ($295.4K)
Contractor: Locum Inc
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2025-06-20
End Date: 2026-06-19
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $812/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 CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IN THE MID-WEST/WEST REGION (DENVER). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES. CALL ORDER FOR 2,800 INDEPENDE
Place of Performance
Location: CARY, WAKE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27513
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $295,400 to LOCUM INC for work described as: BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IN THE MID-WEST/WEST REGION (DENVER). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES. CALL ORDER FOR 2,800 INDEPENDE Key points: 1. The contract is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call for medical consultant services. 2. Services involve reviewing disability claim case files for the Social Security Administration (SSA). 3. The contract value is $295,400 for a 364-day period. 4. The procurement method was 'Not Competed Under SAP', raising potential competition concerns. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 621111 (Offices of Physicians).
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The BPA Call was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically implies a lack of competitive bidding. Without a competitive process, it's difficult to assess if the $295,400 price is optimal or if it represents fair market value compared to similar services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under SAP, suggesting a limited competition approach. This method may not yield the best price discovery as it bypasses standard competitive procedures, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of full and open competition for this $295,400 contract may result in a less favorable price for taxpayers than if multiple vendors had been solicited.
Public Impact
Citizens relying on disability claims will have their cases reviewed by contracted medical consultants. The efficiency and accuracy of these reviews directly impact the outcome of disability claims. Taxpayers fund these services, making cost-effectiveness and fair pricing crucial.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency in award process
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical need for disability claim reviews
- Specific regional focus (Mid-West/West)
Sector Analysis
The healthcare services sector, particularly physician services, is a significant area of government spending. Benchmarks for medical consultant services can vary widely based on specialization and region, but a lack of competition often inflates costs.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award, as the 'sb' field is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or if the prime contractor is not a small business.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made via a BPA Call, which can sometimes bypass more rigorous oversight than traditional contract awards. The SSA should ensure robust internal controls and performance monitoring are in place to manage this contract effectively.
Related Government Programs
- Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for overpricing
- Limited transparency in award process
- No stated small business participation
Tags
offices-of-physicians-except-mental-heal, social-security-administration, nc, bpa-call, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $295,400 to LOCUM INC. BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IN THE MID-WEST/WEST REGION (DENVER). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES. CALL ORDER FOR 2,800 INDEPENDE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LOCUM INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $295,400.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-06-20. End: 2026-06-19.
What is the justification for not competing this BPA Call under SAP, and what steps were taken to ensure a fair and reasonable price?
The justification for not competing under SAP is not provided in the data. Typically, this might occur if the BPA was established previously with limited competition or if specific circumstances warranted it. To ensure a fair and reasonable price, the agency should have conducted market research and price analysis, comparing the proposed costs to independent government estimates or commercial price lists, even without a formal solicitation.
What are the potential risks associated with using a limited competition approach for essential medical consultant services?
The primary risk of limited competition is the potential for paying a higher price than necessary, as vendors face less pressure to offer their most competitive rates. There's also a risk of reduced service quality if the chosen vendor is not incentivized to perform at their best. Furthermore, it can create an uneven playing field for other qualified providers who were not given an opportunity to bid.
How will the effectiveness of the medical consultant services be measured to ensure value for taxpayer money?
Effectiveness should be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to the quality and timeliness of claim file reviews. This could include metrics such as accuracy rates, turnaround times for reviews, and feedback from SSA claims processors. Regular performance reviews and adherence to established service level agreements (SLAs) will be crucial for ensuring value and accountability.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Physicians › Offices of Physicians (except 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: 15200 WESTON PKWY, CARY, NC, 27513
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $295,400
Exercised Options: $295,400
Current Obligation: $295,400
Actual Outlays: $239,063
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321324AC0840033
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-06-20
Current End Date: 2026-06-19
Potential End Date: 2026-06-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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