SSA awards $945K BPA for medical consultant services in California, with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $94,572 ($94.6K)

Contractor: Allan H.solomon, PH.D.,Inc., a Psychology Corporation

Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration

Start Date: 2026-07-01

End Date: 2027-06-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $260/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 MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES IN THE SOUTHWEST REGION (SAN FRANCISCO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER FOR INDEPENDENT CASE REVIEWS.

Place of Performance

Location: WALNUT CREEK, CONTRA COSTA County, CALIFORNIA, 94596

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Social Security Administration obligated $94,572 to ALLAN H.SOLOMON, PH.D.,INC., A PSYCHOLOGY CORPORATION for work described as: BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES IN THE SOUTHWEST REGION (SAN FRANCISCO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER FOR INDEPENDENT CASE REVIEWS. Key points: 1. The contract is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for medical consultant services, specifically for reviewing disability claim case files. 2. The primary contractor is ALLAN H. SOLOMON, PH.D., INC., A PSYCHOLOGY CORPORATION. 3. The contract has a duration of 364 days and a total value of $945,720. 4. The service is categorized under NAICS code 621112 (Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists). 5. The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a lack of competitive bidding. 6. The award is for the Southwest Region, specifically California.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $945,720 for 364 days of medical consultant services for disability claim reviews appears high, especially given the lack of competition. Without benchmark data for similar services or a breakdown of per-case review costs, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The fixed-price nature provides some cost certainty, but the absence of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call Order that was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This suggests that the contract was likely awarded without a full and open competition, potentially as a sole-source or limited competition action. The lack of competitive bidding means that the Social Security Administration (SSA) may not have received the most advantageous pricing or terms possible.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium for these services due to the absence of competitive pressure to drive down costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are individuals applying for disability benefits, as their cases will be reviewed by qualified medical consultants. The services delivered include independent case reviews of disability claim files. The geographic impact is focused on the Southwest Region, specifically California. The contract supports the SSA's disability determination process, ensuring that claims are assessed by mental health specialists.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced value for taxpayer funds.
The contract's duration and value, without clear performance metrics or competitive benchmarks, make it difficult to assess efficiency.
Reliance on a single provider for critical disability claim reviews could pose a risk if the contractor's performance falters.

Positive Signals

The contract utilizes a fixed-price structure, which can help control costs once a price is established.
The contractor is a specialized psychology corporation, suggesting relevant expertise for mental health claim reviews.
The BPA structure allows for flexibility in ordering services as needed within the defined scope and period.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector, particularly within the government contracting space, often involves specialized consulting. This contract falls under the 'Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists' category. Government spending on medical consulting for disability claims is significant, as agencies like the SSA rely on external expertise to manage large caseloads and ensure accurate determinations. Benchmarking this contract's value is challenging without more specific data on the volume and complexity of cases reviewed.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). There is no information provided regarding small business subcontracting plans or set-asides for this specific BPA call order. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular award is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor engages small businesses for support services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Social Security Administration's contracting and program management offices. As a BPA call order, it is part of a larger framework that should have established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is limited by the lack of public competition details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Social Security Administration Disability Insurance Program
Medical Consultant Services
Disability Claim Adjudication
Independent Medical Reviews

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Potential for Overpricing
Limited Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Social Security Administration awarded $94,572 to ALLAN H.SOLOMON, PH.D.,INC., A PSYCHOLOGY CORPORATION. BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES IN THE SOUTHWEST REGION (SAN FRANCISCO). 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 ALLAN H.SOLOMON, PH.D.,INC., A PSYCHOLOGY CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $94,572.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-07-01. End: 2027-06-30.

What is the typical cost per disability claim review for similar services procured by the SSA or other federal agencies?

Determining the typical cost per disability claim review is complex and depends heavily on factors such as the type of claim (e.g., medical, psychological), the level of detail required for the review, and the specific expertise needed. For the Social Security Administration (SSA), costs can vary significantly. While this contract is for $945,720 over approximately one year, the number of case files to be reviewed is not specified. Anecdotal evidence and industry reports suggest that per-case review costs can range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars, depending on complexity. Without knowing the volume of cases this BPA call order is intended to cover, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the absence of competition for this $945,720 award raises questions about whether the SSA secured a competitive rate for these essential services.

What is the track record of ALLAN H. SOLOMON, PH.D., INC., A PSYCHOLOGY CORPORATION with federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific federal contract history of ALLAN H. SOLOMON, PH.D., INC., A PSYCHOLOGY CORPORATION is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their track record, one would typically examine past performance evaluations, contract awards, and any reported issues or successes on federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. As this is a BPA call order, it suggests a pre-existing relationship or a specific capability that the agency identified. A thorough review would involve looking at the duration and value of previous contracts, the agencies they served, and feedback on their performance in delivering similar consulting services. Without this external data, it's challenging to provide a comprehensive assessment of their federal contracting history.

How does the value of this contract compare to overall SSA spending on disability claim reviews?

The value of this specific contract is $945,720 for approximately one year of medical consultant services. The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages a vast number of disability claims annually, with total administrative costs running into billions of dollars. Disability determination services, including the review of medical evidence, constitute a significant portion of these costs. While $945,720 is a substantial amount for a single contract, it represents a small fraction of the SSA's overall budget for disability processing. To contextualize this further, one would need to know the total number of claims processed and the aggregate spending on all external medical consultants or review services by the SSA in a given fiscal year. This contract's value, in isolation, does not provide a complete picture of SSA's total expenditure in this area.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract for critical services like disability claim reviews without full and open competition?

Awarding critical services like disability claim reviews without full and open competition presents several potential risks. Firstly, it can lead to higher costs for taxpayers, as the absence of multiple bids removes the downward price pressure typically seen in competitive procurements. Secondly, it may result in suboptimal quality or service delivery, as the agency doesn't benefit from the innovation or best practices that might emerge from a competitive process. Thirdly, it raises concerns about fairness and equity in government contracting. For the SSA, relying on a non-competed contract for medical reviews could mean missing out on potentially more efficient or effective service providers, impacting the speed and accuracy of disability determinations. This lack of competition can also create a perception of impropriety, even if none exists.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 621112 (Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists) in the context of this contract?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 621112 signifies that the services procured under this contract are related to the provision of medical care by physicians specializing in mental health. For the Social Security Administration (SSA), this code is highly relevant as many disability claims involve mental impairments. By contracting with entities under this NAICS code, the SSA ensures that the reviews of disability claim case files are conducted by professionals with the appropriate expertise in psychology, psychiatry, or other mental health specialties. This specialization is crucial for accurately assessing the impact of mental health conditions on an individual's ability to work, which is a key criterion for disability benefits.

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 MT DIABLO BLVD STE 406, WALNUT CREEK, CA, 94596

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $94,572

Exercised Options: $94,572

Current Obligation: $94,572

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 28321321AC0940021

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline