SSA's $7.1M BPA for Medical Contractor Services in NY Lacks Competition, Raises Oversight Concerns
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $71,057 ($71.1K)
Contractor: Spitz Gary Franklin
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-07
End Date: 2027-12-31
Contract Duration: 633 days
Daily Burn Rate: $112/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 NORTHEAST SUB-REGION 2 (NEW YORK). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER FOR INDEPENDENT CASE REVIEWS.
Place of Performance
Location: GLEN OAKS, QUEENS County, NEW YORK, 11004
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $71,057 to SPITZ GARY FRANKLIN for work described as: BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR REGIONAL MEDICAL CONTRACTOR SERVICES IN NORTHEAST SUB-REGION 2 (NEW YORK). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER FOR INDEPENDENT CASE REVIEWS. Key points: 1. The Social Security Administration (SSA) awarded a $7.1 million Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for medical contractor services in New York. 2. The contract is for reviewing disability claim case files, with services provided by Gary Franklin Spitz. 3. The BPA was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), raising questions about price discovery and value. 4. The contract duration is 633 days, ending in December 2027. 5. The primary sector is Healthcare, specifically physician services for disability evaluations.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is a Firm Fixed Price BPA Call, but without competition, it's difficult to assess if the $7.1 million price reflects fair market value. Benchmarking against similar physician review contracts would be necessary for a proper valuation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a limited competition approach. This lack of open competition may have hindered price discovery and potentially led to a higher cost for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of robust competition for a $7.1 million contract could result in suboptimal pricing, meaning taxpayers may be paying more than necessary for these essential disability claim review services.
Public Impact
Impacts individuals seeking disability benefits who rely on timely and accurate case file reviews. Potential for increased administrative costs for the SSA if pricing is not optimized due to limited competition. Raises questions about the SSA's procurement practices and adherence to competitive sourcing principles.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment
- Limited transparency in pricing
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical need for disability claim reviews
- Fixed price contract provides some cost certainty
Sector Analysis
The healthcare sector, particularly physician services, is crucial for government agencies like the SSA to process claims. Spending benchmarks for similar medical review services can vary widely based on specialization and region, but competitive bidding typically ensures better value.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not competed and does not specify if small businesses were involved or considered. Further analysis is needed to determine the impact on small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The non-competed nature of this BPA call warrants closer oversight to ensure the SSA is obtaining fair value and adhering to procurement regulations. Accountability for the procurement decision is essential.
Related Government Programs
- Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency
- Questionable value for taxpayer money
- Oversight needed on contractor performance
Tags
offices-of-physicians-except-mental-heal, social-security-administration, ny, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $71,057 to SPITZ GARY FRANKLIN. BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR REGIONAL MEDICAL CONTRACTOR SERVICES IN NORTHEAST SUB-REGION 2 (NEW YORK). 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 SPITZ GARY FRANKLIN.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $71,057.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2027-12-31.
What specific justification was provided for not competing this BPA call under SAP, and how does it align with federal procurement regulations?
Federal procurement regulations generally require competition unless specific exceptions apply. For BPA calls, agencies should still strive for competition among BPA holders or justify sole-source awards. The justification for not competing under SAP would need to detail the specific circumstances, such as urgency, unique capabilities, or a pre-existing contract vehicle that inherently limits competition, and demonstrate it aligns with FAR Part 13 or other relevant exceptions.
How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar independent medical review services procured competitively by other federal or state agencies?
Benchmarking against competitively procured contracts is crucial for assessing value. Without access to specific pricing details and the scope of services, a direct comparison is difficult. However, a lack of competition often leads to higher prices. Analyzing contract awards for similar services, considering factors like reviewer expertise, case complexity, and turnaround times, would reveal potential price discrepancies.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the disability claim reviews performed under this BPA call, given the limited competition?
Quality assurance mechanisms should be robust, regardless of the procurement method. This includes clear performance standards, regular review of case file outcomes, client feedback channels, and potentially independent audits of the contractor's work. The SSA should actively monitor the contractor's performance against these standards to ensure the effectiveness of the reviews and the integrity of the disability determination process.
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: 69-10 261ST STREET, GLEN OAKS, NY, 11004
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $71,057
Exercised Options: $71,057
Current Obligation: $71,057
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321321AC0240011
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-07
Current End Date: 2027-12-31
Potential End Date: 2027-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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