SSA's $788K Medical Consultant Services BPA for Disability Claims Faces Scrutiny
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $78,810 ($78.8K)
Contractor: Norman Zukowsky
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2026-07-01
End Date: 2027-06-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $217/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: SAN FRANCISCO, SAN FRANCISCO County, CALIFORNIA, 94109
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $78,810 to NORMAN ZUKOWSKY 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 for medical consultant services to review disability claim case files. 2. The primary contractor is NORMAN ZUKOWSKY. 3. The contract is set to expire on June 30, 2027. 4. The total award amount is $788,100. 5. This is a firm-fixed-price contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's value of $788,100 over 364 days for medical consultant services appears high without clear benchmarks. Pricing for independent case reviews can vary significantly based on complexity and reviewer expertise, making direct comparison difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a sole-source or limited competition approach. This lack of open competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price and value for these essential services.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competitive bidding may lead to higher costs for taxpayers, as potential cost savings from a more open process are foregone.
Public Impact
Impacts individuals applying for Social Security disability benefits who rely on accurate case reviews. Ensures the Social Security Administration can process disability claims efficiently and fairly. Potential for delays or inaccuracies if consultant services are not optimally priced or sourced.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Sole-source award
Positive Signals
- Essential service for disability program
- Clear contract duration and pricing type
Sector Analysis
The healthcare sector, particularly services related to government health programs, often involves significant spending. Benchmarks for medical consultant services can vary widely based on specialization and region, making direct comparisons challenging without detailed scope information.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this procurement, as it was not competed under SAP and appears to be a sole-source award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities for small businesses were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this BPA call warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is delivering services at a fair and reasonable price. The Social Security Administration should have robust internal controls to validate the necessity and cost-effectiveness of these services.
Related Government Programs
- Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency in award justification
- No small business participation evident
Tags
offices-of-physicians-mental-health-spec, social-security-administration, ca, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $78,810 to NORMAN ZUKOWSKY. 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 NORMAN ZUKOWSKY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $78,810.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-07-01. End: 2027-06-30.
What specific criteria were used to justify the sole-source award for these medical consultant services, and were any market research efforts conducted to ensure fair pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves demonstrating that only one responsible source can provide the required services. This often stems from unique qualifications, urgent needs, or specific agency requirements. Market research is usually conducted to establish fair and reasonable pricing, even in sole-source situations, through historical data, commercial price lists, or independent cost estimates.
How does the per-unit cost of reviewing a disability claim case file under this BPA compare to industry averages or previous contracts for similar services?
Without specific data on the number of cases reviewed and the average complexity, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the total award of $788,100 for 364 days suggests a significant investment. A thorough review would involve analyzing the average cost per case against benchmarks for medical reviews in disability claims, considering factors like reviewer expertise and case complexity.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the quality and accuracy of the medical consultant reviews, and how is contractor performance monitored?
Quality assurance for medical consultant reviews typically involves establishing clear performance standards, conducting regular audits of case files, and providing feedback to consultants. The Social Security Administration should have a quality control plan in place, outlining metrics for accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to review protocols. Performance monitoring would likely involve tracking key performance indicators and addressing any deficiencies identified.
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: 999 SUTTER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94109
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $78,810
Exercised Options: $78,810
Current Obligation: $78,810
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321321AC0940004
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-07-01
Current End Date: 2027-06-30
Potential End Date: 2027-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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