Social Security Administration awards $19.9M BPA for medical consultant services in Massachusetts
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,937 ($19.9K)
Contractor: Stephen Kleinman MD
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-06
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 85 days
Daily Burn Rate: $235/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, DISABILITY ADJUDICATION (BOSTON). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CAL
Place of Performance
Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02118
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $19,937.4 to STEPHEN KLEINMAN MD for work described as: BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DISABILITY ADJUDICATION (BOSTON). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CAL Key points: 1. Contract focuses on reviewing disability claim case files for agency programs. 2. Services are essential for the Social Security Administration's disability adjudication process. 3. The contract is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a specific task order under a larger agreement. 4. The duration of the call is relatively short, spanning just over two months. 5. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the services rendered. 6. The contractor, Stephen Kleinman MD, is a single provider for these specialized services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $19.9 million for an 85-day period appears high for a single medical consultant. Benchmarking against similar contracts for medical review services is difficult without more detailed service descriptions and volume metrics. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the overall value proposition requires further scrutiny regarding the scope of work and the necessity of such a high expenditure for a short duration.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed under simplified acquisition procedures, indicating it was likely awarded on a sole-source basis or as a call against an existing BPA that may have had a different competition history. The lack of open competition means there was no opportunity for multiple vendors to bid, potentially limiting price discovery and the government's ability to secure the most cost-effective solution.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for this significant expenditure means taxpayers may not have benefited from the potential cost savings that could arise from a competitive bidding process.
Public Impact
Benefits individuals applying for Social Security disability benefits by ensuring timely and accurate case reviews. Services directly support the Social Security Administration's mission to adjudicate disability claims. Geographic impact is focused on the Boston area, serving the needs of that region's disability adjudication office. Workforce implications are minimal, as the contract is for specialized consultant services rather than large-scale employment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for overpayment due to lack of competitive pricing.
- Limited transparency on the specific services and volume of reviews performed.
- High cost per day for consultant services raises value-for-money concerns.
Positive Signals
- Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the agency.
- Services are critical for the functioning of the disability adjudication program.
- Contract is for a short duration, limiting long-term financial exposure.
Sector Analysis
The healthcare services sector, particularly within government contracting, often involves specialized medical expertise. This contract falls under the 'Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists' NAICS code, indicating a focus on clinical consultation. While the total market size for such services is substantial, this specific contract represents a niche requirement for disability claim review, rather than broad healthcare provision.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of medical consulting and the sole-source award, it is unlikely that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would be significant unless the primary contractor actively seeks them out.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Social Security Administration. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the lack of public detail on the specific services rendered. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Social Security Administration Disability Insurance Program
- Medical Review Services Contracts
- Consultant Services for Federal Agencies
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award raises concerns about competition and potential cost overruns.
- High contract value for a short duration warrants scrutiny of value for money.
- Limited public information on the specific services and performance metrics.
Tags
healthcare, medical-consulting, social-security-administration, boston, massachusetts, blanket-purchase-agreement, sole-source, fixed-price, disability-adjudication, physicians, mental-health-specialists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $19,937.4 to STEPHEN KLEINMAN MD. BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DISABILITY ADJUDICATION (BOSTON). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CAL
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is STEPHEN KLEINMAN MD.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $19,937.4.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the specific scope of work for the medical consultant services under this BPA Call?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DISABILITY ADJUDICATION (BOSTON). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM.' This suggests the consultant's role involves reviewing medical documentation within disability claims to assist the Social Security Administration (SSA) in making adjudication decisions. However, the exact volume of case files to be reviewed, the specific types of medical conditions to be assessed, and the detailed criteria for review are not specified in the available data. Further clarification from the SSA would be needed to fully understand the scope.
How does the $19.9 million contract value compare to similar medical consultant services for disability claims?
Direct comparison of the $19.9 million value is challenging without knowing the exact duration and volume of work. The contract is for only 85 days (approximately 2.8 months). If this amount is for a single consultant performing reviews over this short period, it suggests a very high daily or hourly rate, potentially exceeding market norms for similar services. Benchmarking would require access to data on the number of cases reviewed, the complexity of those cases, and the typical compensation for such expertise within the federal government or private sector for comparable tasks. The lack of competition further complicates a direct value assessment.
What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for critical medical consulting services?
A sole-source award for critical medical consulting services carries several risks. Firstly, it eliminates the potential for competitive bidding, which could lead to higher costs for the government than if multiple vendors had competed. Secondly, it reduces transparency and accountability, as there is no public record of other qualified vendors being considered. Thirdly, it may limit the government's access to the most innovative or cost-effective solutions available in the market. Finally, it could raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest or the contractor's ability to meet the full scope of demand if the initial assessment was underestimated.
What is the track record of Stephen Kleinman MD as a federal contractor?
Information regarding Stephen Kleinman MD's specific track record as a federal contractor is not provided in the data. To assess this, one would typically look at past performance reviews, contract history with federal agencies, and any documented issues or successes on previous awards. Without this information, it is difficult to evaluate their reliability, efficiency, and adherence to contract terms in prior engagements. Further research into federal procurement databases and agency performance records would be necessary.
How does this contract fit into the broader context of Social Security Administration's disability adjudication spending?
This contract represents a specific, short-term need for medical consulting services within the SSA's disability adjudication process in Boston. It is a component of the overall spending allocated to processing disability claims, which includes personnel, technology, and external expert services. The $19.9 million for 85 days suggests a high-value, specialized support function rather than a large-scale operational expenditure. Understanding its place requires comparing it to the total budget for disability claims processing and other similar consulting contracts awarded across different regions or for different aspects of adjudication.
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: 1200 WASHINGTON ST, BOSTON, MA, 02118
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,937
Exercised Options: $19,937
Current Obligation: $19,937
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321321AC0140026
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-06
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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