Pennsylvania's Electronic Death Records System Contract Awarded for $3.6M, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,609,195 ($3.6M)
Contractor: Pennsylvania Department of Health
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2023-12-27
End Date: 2026-12-26
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: PENNSYLVANIA (PA) - ELECTRONIC DEATH RECORDS (EDR).
Place of Performance
Location: HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN County, PENNSYLVANIA, 17120
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $3.6 million to PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH for work described as: PENNSYLVANIA (PA) - ELECTRONIC DEATH RECORDS (EDR). Key points: 1. The contract for Pennsylvania's Electronic Death Records system was awarded via a non-competitive process. 2. The total value of the contract is $3.6 million over three years. 3. The primary agency involved is the Pennsylvania Department of Health, with the Social Security Administration as the awarding agency. 4. The service category is Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's value of $3.6 million for a three-year period for electronic death records management appears high, especially given the lack of competitive bidding. Benchmarking against similar state-level health data management systems is difficult without more specific service details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a limited competition approach. This lack of open competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price and value for the services provided.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competitive bidding may lead to taxpayers overpaying for the Electronic Death Records system, as there was no market pressure to drive down costs.
Public Impact
Ensures the accurate and timely recording of death data, crucial for public health monitoring and vital statistics. Impacts the efficiency of funeral homes, coroners, and medical professionals involved in the death certification process. Potential for data security and privacy concerns given the sensitive nature of death records.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Limited transparency in award process
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical public health function
- Long-term contract provides stability for service delivery
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector, specifically data processing and web hosting, is critical for modern government operations. Spending benchmarks for similar state-level health information systems vary widely, but a $3.6 million, three-year contract for electronic death records without competition warrants scrutiny.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this procurement. The contract was awarded directly, suggesting that opportunities for small business participation were likely limited or non-existent.
Oversight & Accountability
The awarding agency is the Social Security Administration, which is unusual for a state-level health department contract. Further oversight is needed to understand the rationale behind this arrangement and ensure accountability for the funds expended.
Related Government Programs
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Unusual awarding agency (SSA for PA DOH)
- Potential for inflated costs
- Limited transparency in procurement process
Tags
computing-infrastructure-providers-data-, social-security-administration, pa, purchase-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $3.6 million to PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. PENNSYLVANIA (PA) - ELECTRONIC DEATH RECORDS (EDR).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-12-27. End: 2026-12-26.
What is the justification for the Social Security Administration acting as the awarding agency for Pennsylvania's Electronic Death Records system?
The rationale for the Social Security Administration (SSA) awarding this contract to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is unclear from the provided data. Typically, state agencies procure services directly. This arrangement may stem from specific federal-state data sharing agreements or grant programs related to vital statistics and social security benefits, but requires further investigation to confirm.
How does the $3.6 million cost compare to similar state-level Electronic Death Records systems, considering the lack of competition?
Benchmarking this $3.6 million contract against similar state systems is challenging due to the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' status, which limits available comparative data. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to ascertain if this price reflects fair market value. States with robust, competitive procurements for similar systems might offer lower per-unit costs or more comprehensive features for the investment.
What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source or limited-competition award for critical public health infrastructure like an Electronic Death Records system?
A sole-source or limited-competition award for critical infrastructure like an Electronic Death Records system carries significant risks. These include potential overpricing due to lack of market pressure, reduced innovation as there's no incentive for vendors to offer better solutions, and a higher risk of vendor lock-in. Furthermore, it can lead to a lack of transparency and public trust in the procurement process.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT 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
Parent Company: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Address: 625 FORSTER ST, HARRISBURG, PA, 17120
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,129,355
Exercised Options: $3,609,195
Current Obligation: $3,609,195
Actual Outlays: $2,222,167
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-12-27
Current End Date: 2026-12-26
Potential End Date: 2028-12-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-05
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