SSA Awards $51.8M Task Order to Equifax for Payroll Information Exchange Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $51,800,000 ($51.8M)
Contractor: Equifax Workforce Solutions LLC
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2025-04-01
End Date: 2026-03-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $142.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR MATCHED HITS FOR THE PAYROLL INFORMATION EXCHANGE (PIE) FROM 4/1/2025 THROUGH 3/31/2026
Place of Performance
Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21235
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $51.8 million to EQUIFAX WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR MATCHED HITS FOR THE PAYROLL INFORMATION EXCHANGE (PIE) FROM 4/1/2025 THROUGH 3/31/2026 Key points: 1. The contract focuses on payroll information exchange, a critical function for the Social Security Administration. 2. Equifax Workforce Solutions LLC, a known entity in credit reporting, secured this task order. 3. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The service period runs from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, for a duration of 364 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $51.8 million for a one-year period appears reasonable given the nature of payroll information exchange services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for credit reporting and data services would provide a more precise assessment, but the price seems aligned with industry standards for comprehensive data solutions.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value. The specific pricing discovery mechanism within this competitive process is not detailed but is presumed to have resulted in a fair market price.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure essential services at a fair price, ensuring efficient use of public funds for critical government operations.
Public Impact
Ensures the continuity of critical payroll information exchange for the Social Security Administration. Supports SSA's mission by providing access to accurate and timely data. The use of a large, established vendor like Equifax may offer reliability and expertise in data management.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
- Potential reliance on a single vendor for a critical data service.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Clear service period and defined task.
Sector Analysis
The Information Services and Products sector, specifically credit bureaus and data processing, is characterized by significant data volumes and the need for robust security and accuracy. Spending in this area is essential for government agencies relying on external data for operations. Benchmarks for similar task orders can vary widely based on scope and data complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this task order was awarded to Equifax Workforce Solutions LLC and does not specify any set-aside for small businesses. Therefore, it appears that small businesses were not directly involved in this specific award, which was open to all qualified bidders.
Oversight & Accountability
The Social Security Administration is responsible for overseeing this task order. The use of a firm-fixed-price contract provides a degree of cost certainty. Further oversight would involve monitoring performance against the contract requirements and ensuring compliance with data security and privacy regulations.
Related Government Programs
- Credit Bureaus
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Reliance on a single data provider.
- Data security and privacy concerns.
- Limited visibility into specific performance metrics.
Tags
credit-bureaus, social-security-administration, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $51.8 million to EQUIFAX WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS LLC. TASK ORDER FOR MATCHED HITS FOR THE PAYROLL INFORMATION EXCHANGE (PIE) FROM 4/1/2025 THROUGH 3/31/2026
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EQUIFAX WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $51.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-04-01. End: 2026-03-31.
What is the specific nature of the 'matched hits' and how critical are they to the SSA's operations?
The 'matched hits' likely refer to the successful correlation of payroll data with other relevant information required by the SSA for its programs, such as verifying employment history or income for benefit calculations. The criticality stems from the SSA's reliance on accurate and up-to-date employment and wage data to administer social insurance programs effectively and prevent fraud.
What are the potential risks associated with using a single, large credit bureau for such a critical data exchange function?
Risks include vendor lock-in, potential for data breaches or inaccuracies originating from the vendor, and a lack of competitive pressure on pricing or service quality over time. If Equifax experiences operational issues or data integrity problems, it could significantly disrupt SSA's functions. Dependence on one provider also limits flexibility in adopting new technologies or alternative data sources.
How does this task order contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the SSA's mission?
This task order directly supports the SSA's mission by ensuring access to essential payroll information, which is fundamental for accurate benefit determination, fraud detection, and program integrity. By outsourcing this function to a specialized provider like Equifax, the SSA can leverage external expertise and infrastructure, potentially improving data accuracy and processing efficiency, thereby enhancing its overall operational effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › Credit Bureaus
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1550 PEACHTREE ST NW, ATLANTA, GA, 30309
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $51,800,000
Exercised Options: $51,800,000
Current Obligation: $51,800,000
Actual Outlays: $36,200,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321324D00060023
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-04-01
Current End Date: 2026-03-31
Potential End Date: 2026-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-29
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