SSA's $42.8M Medical Contractor Services BPA for Disability Claims Faces Scrutiny for Lack of Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $42,800 ($42.8K)
Contractor: Leigh S Mccary, MD
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-03
End Date: 2029-02-28
Contract Duration: 1,062 days
Daily Burn Rate: $40/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 REGIONAL MEDICAL CONTRACTOR SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IN THE SOUTH-WEST/WEST REGION. REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM
Place of Performance
Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78759
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $42,800 to LEIGH S MCCARY, MD for work described as: BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE REGIONAL MEDICAL CONTRACTOR SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IN THE SOUTH-WEST/WEST REGION. REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract awards $42.8 million for regional medical contractor services to support disability claim reviews. 2. Competition was limited as the contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 3. Potential risks include a lack of price discovery due to limited competition and the firm-fixed-price structure. 4. The sector is healthcare services, specifically physician services for disability evaluations.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) call, which can sometimes be less transparent than fully competed contracts. Without a clear benchmark or comparison to similar regional medical contractor services, assessing the pricing's value is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' indicating a limited competition approach. This method may not yield the best prices for taxpayers as it restricts the pool of potential bidders and reduces price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract, as potential cost savings from a broader bidding process are forgone.
Public Impact
Citizens relying on Social Security disability benefits may experience delays or inconsistencies in claim reviews if contractor performance is suboptimal. The use of a BPA call suggests a need for ongoing services, potentially indicating a systemic demand within the SSA's disability program. Taxpayers are funding these services, and the lack of robust competition raises questions about the efficient use of public funds.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 40 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Lack of price discovery
- Potential for inflated costs
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical need for disability claim reviews
- Long-term contract provides service continuity
Sector Analysis
The healthcare sector, particularly physician services for disability evaluations, is crucial for government agencies like the SSA. Spending benchmarks for such services can vary widely based on region, specialization, and contract structure.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this BPA call. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a BPA call suggests that oversight may be managed at a task order level. The effectiveness of oversight depends on the SSA's internal controls and monitoring of contractor performance and costs.
Related Government Programs
- Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of transparency in competition
- Potential for overpayment due to limited bidding
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical services
- No clear indication of small business participation
Tags
offices-of-physicians-except-mental-heal, social-security-administration, tx, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $42,800 to LEIGH S MCCARY, MD. BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE REGIONAL MEDICAL CONTRACTOR SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IN THE SOUTH-WEST/WEST REGION. REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LEIGH S MCCARY, MD.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $42,800.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2029-02-28.
What is the specific rationale for not competing this BPA call under SAP, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?
The rationale for not competing under SAP is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, agencies might use limited competition for established relationships, specialized services, or urgent needs. However, without further information, it's difficult to assess if fair pricing was achieved. A review of the justification for other than full and open competition would be necessary.
What are the potential risks to the disability claims process if the selected contractor underperforms or faces staffing issues?
Underperformance or staffing issues with the contractor could lead to significant delays in processing disability claims, impacting vulnerable individuals awaiting decisions. This could also increase the workload on SSA staff, potentially leading to burnout and further inefficiencies. The firm-fixed-price nature might not incentivize the contractor to improve performance beyond minimum requirements.
How does the $42.8 million expenditure compare to similar regional medical contractor services procured by other government agencies or the SSA in different regions?
Without specific data on comparable contracts, it's challenging to benchmark this expenditure. Factors like regional cost of living, specific medical expertise required, and the volume of claims reviewed significantly influence pricing. A detailed market analysis or comparison with other SSA regional contracts would be needed for a meaningful assessment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Physicians › Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)
Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › GENERAL HEALTH CARE 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: 3815 HYRIDGE DRIVE, AUSTIN, TX, 78759
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $42,800
Exercised Options: $42,800
Current Obligation: $42,800
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321324AC0840034
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-03
Current End Date: 2029-02-28
Potential End Date: 2029-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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