Social Security Administration's Accelerated Benefits Pilot Cost $46.4M to Test Immediate Cash and Medicare for Applicants
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $46,442,056 ($46.4M)
Contractor: Mdrc
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2006-01-20
End Date: 2011-09-19
Contract Duration: 2,068 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: (FORMERLY TEMPORARY ALLOWANCE) THE GOAL OF ACCELERATED BENEFITS IS TO TEST THE IMPACT OF PROVIDING IMMEDIATE CASH BENEFITS AND MEDICARE TO TITLE II APPLICANTS.
Place of Performance
Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10016
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $46.4 million to MDRC for work described as: (FORMERLY TEMPORARY ALLOWANCE) THE GOAL OF ACCELERATED BENEFITS IS TO TEST THE IMPACT OF PROVIDING IMMEDIATE CASH BENEFITS AND MEDICARE TO TITLE II APPLICANTS. Key points: 1. The pilot aimed to assess the impact of immediate cash benefits and Medicare access on Title II applicants. 2. This was a research and development effort in social sciences and humanities, focusing on program effectiveness. 3. The contract was awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a deliberate effort to seek the best value. 4. The project spanned over five years, indicating a substantial investment in understanding applicant outcomes.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract was a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. The total award of $46.4M over five years needs to be benchmarked against similar social science research projects to determine true value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Full and open competition was utilized, which typically fosters competitive pricing and allows for a broad range of potential contractors to propose solutions. This method is generally effective in achieving fair market prices.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is tied to the effectiveness of the pilot in identifying improvements to the Social Security application process and potential cost savings from better outcomes for beneficiaries.
Public Impact
Potential for improved applicant experience and faster access to essential benefits. Insights gained could inform future Social Security Administration policy and program design. Understanding the impact of immediate benefits may reveal cost efficiencies in long-term program administration. The research could highlight the importance of timely support for individuals navigating complex benefit systems.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractor spending.
- Long duration may increase risk of cost overruns or scope creep.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition suggests a robust procurement process.
- Focus on testing impact indicates a data-driven approach to policy.
- Research and Development designation allows for innovation.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Spending in this area is often project-specific and focused on improving program outcomes and understanding societal impacts, rather than direct service delivery.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract. The focus on research and development may or may not lend itself to small business participation depending on the specific expertise required.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Social Security Administration, implying internal oversight. The 'Research and Development' nature suggests a focus on evaluation and reporting, which are forms of accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Long contract duration.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data.
- Potential for undefined scope creep in R&D projects.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, social-security-administration, ny, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $46.4 million to MDRC. (FORMERLY TEMPORARY ALLOWANCE) THE GOAL OF ACCELERATED BENEFITS IS TO TEST THE IMPACT OF PROVIDING IMMEDIATE CASH BENEFITS AND MEDICARE TO TITLE II APPLICANTS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MDRC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $46.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-01-20. End: 2011-09-19.
What was the specific methodology used to measure the 'impact' of accelerated benefits, and were these metrics clearly defined and achieved?
The provided data does not detail the specific methodology or metrics used to measure the impact of accelerated benefits. Further review of the contract's statement of work and final reports would be necessary to ascertain the research design, data collection methods, and the success criteria established for the pilot program.
How did the fixed fee component of the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract align with the project's objectives and prevent potential cost overruns?
In a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, the fixed fee is negotiated at the outset and represents the contractor's profit. While the fee is fixed, the 'cost' portion can still fluctuate. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure costs remain reasonable and within the anticipated range for the project's scope to prevent overall cost overruns.
What are the key takeaways from this pilot regarding the effectiveness of providing immediate cash and Medicare to Title II applicants?
The provided data focuses on the contract's administrative details and does not contain findings on the pilot's effectiveness. To understand the key takeaways, one would need to consult the final evaluation reports produced by MDRC for the Social Security Administration, which would detail the outcomes and lessons learned from the accelerated benefits test.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: SSA-RFP-05-1045
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 16 E 34TH ST FL 19, NEW YORK, NY, 10016
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $46,442,056
Exercised Options: $46,442,056
Current Obligation: $46,442,056
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-01-20
Current End Date: 2011-09-19
Potential End Date: 2011-09-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-04-29
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