SSA's $1.5M Medical Consultant Services BPA for Disability Claims Faces Scrutiny for Lack of Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,147 ($15.1K)
Contractor: Gawo MD Yacob
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-02
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 89 days
Daily Burn Rate: $170/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, MID-WEST/WEST (CHICAGO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER F
Place of Performance
Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21235
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $15,147 to GAWO MD YACOB for work described as: BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, MID-WEST/WEST (CHICAGO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER F Key points: 1. The contract is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) call for medical consultant services, primarily for reviewing disability claim case files. 2. The estimated value is $1,514,700, with a duration of 89 days. 3. The service falls under the 'Offices of Physicians' category, with a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 621111. 4. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type, indicating predictable costs for the agency.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type, which is generally good for cost control. However, without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the $1.5M price for 89 days of service represents fair market value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and is listed as a BPA Call. This suggests a limited competition approach, potentially restricting price discovery and the opportunity for a wider range of qualified contractors to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of robust competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers are receiving the best possible value for these essential medical review services.
Public Impact
Impacts individuals applying for disability benefits who rely on timely and accurate case file reviews. Ensures the integrity and efficiency of the Social Security Administration's disability determination process. Potential for delays or reduced quality if contractor performance is not optimal due to limited oversight.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Short contract duration may indicate a stop-gap measure or limited scope
- No clear justification for limited competition provided
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type
- Clear service description for medical reviews
Sector Analysis
The healthcare sector, particularly physician services, is a significant area of government spending. Benchmarks for similar medical consultant services can vary widely based on specialization, location, and contract scope, making direct comparison challenging without more detail.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed for small businesses in this contracting action.
Oversight & Accountability
The limited competition and short duration warrant closer oversight to ensure the contractor meets performance expectations and that the services provided are necessary and cost-effective.
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 inflated pricing due to limited competition
- Short contract duration raises questions about long-term planning
- No clear indication of performance metrics or quality assurance
- Limited transparency regarding the justification for limited competition
Tags
offices-of-physicians-except-mental-heal, social-security-administration, md, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $15,147 to GAWO MD YACOB. BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, MID-WEST/WEST (CHICAGO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER F
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GAWO MD YACOB.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $15,147.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the specific justification for not competing this BPA call more broadly, given the significant dollar amount and the critical nature of disability claim reviews?
The provided data does not include the specific justification for the limited competition. Typically, agencies might cite reasons such as urgency, existing relationships, or unique capabilities. However, for a contract of this value, a more transparent and competitive process is generally expected to ensure optimal use of taxpayer funds and access to the best available services.
How does the per-case review cost compare to industry benchmarks for similar medical consulting services, and what quality metrics are in place?
Without specific per-case cost data or defined quality metrics in the provided information, a direct comparison is not possible. The contract's firm fixed price structure suggests a total cost for the service period, not necessarily a per-case rate. Assessing value would require internal SSA data on case volume and quality outcomes against the total contract cost.
Given the short 89-day duration, is this BPA call intended to be a recurring need, and if so, what is the long-term strategy for ensuring competitive sourcing?
The short duration suggests this BPA call might be a short-term solution or a specific task order. If the need for these medical consultant services is ongoing, the SSA should develop a strategy for future procurements that emphasizes full and open competition to leverage market dynamics for better pricing and service quality over the long term.
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: 3501 W ALBION AVE, LINCOLNWOOD, IL, 60712
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,147
Exercised Options: $15,147
Current Obligation: $15,147
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321321AC0540014
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-02
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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