NY Electronic Death Records Contract Awarded to Health Research, Inc. for $2.96M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,964,891 ($3.0M)
Contractor: Health Research, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2023-12-27
End Date: 2026-12-26
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: NEW YORK STATE - ELECTRONIC DEATH RECORDS (EDR)
Place of Performance
Location: ALBANY, ALBANY County, NEW YORK, 12204
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $3.0 million to HEALTH RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: NEW YORK STATE - ELECTRONIC DEATH RECORDS (EDR) Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.96M for electronic death records system. 2. Procurement was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 3. Potential risk associated with lack of competition. 4. IT sector spending on data processing and hosting services.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $2.96M for a 3-year period needs further benchmarking against similar state-level electronic death record systems. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price represents fair market value.
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 have explored all available vendors, potentially impacting price discovery and leading to a higher cost than a fully competed contract.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of full and open competition raises concerns about taxpayer value, as a more competitive process could have potentially secured lower pricing.
Public Impact
Impacts vital statistics collection and management for New York State. Ensures accurate and timely recording of death data for public health. Potential for increased costs to taxpayers due to limited competition.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Lack of SAP competition justification
Positive Signals
- Essential government service
- Clear contract duration
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically for computing infrastructure, data processing, and web hosting. State spending on such services is common for managing critical public data systems like death records.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or had an opportunity to participate.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight of this contract should focus on performance metrics and ensuring the vendor meets all data security and privacy requirements for sensitive death records.
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 full and open competition
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Absence of small business participation noted
- Need for detailed justification for non-competitive award
Tags
computing-infrastructure-providers-data-, social-security-administration, ny, purchase-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $3.0 million to HEALTH RESEARCH, INC.. NEW YORK STATE - ELECTRONIC DEATH RECORDS (EDR)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is HEALTH RESEARCH, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-12-27. End: 2026-12-26.
What was the justification for not competing this contract under SAP, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?
The provided data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. Without further documentation, the specific justification is unclear. Typically, agencies must document reasons like urgency, sole-source necessity, or specific program requirements. The lack of competition raises concerns about whether fair pricing was achieved, as competitive bidding is the primary mechanism for price discovery.
What are the risks associated with limited competition for a critical IT system like electronic death records?
Limited competition increases the risk of overpaying for services, receiving suboptimal performance, and facing vendor lock-in. For critical systems like EDR, reliance on a single or limited number of vendors can also pose risks if that vendor experiences financial instability, security breaches, or fails to innovate, potentially disrupting essential government functions.
How does this contract's value compare to similar state-level electronic death record systems, and what is the potential taxpayer impact?
Benchmarking this $2.96M contract against similar state systems is crucial for assessing value. If comparable systems were procured through full and open competition at a lower cost, this contract's limited competition may have resulted in a higher taxpayer burden. A detailed cost-benefit analysis is needed to confirm the overall effectiveness and value for money.
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
Address: 150 BROADWAY, SUITE 280, MENANDS, NY, 12204
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,035,162
Exercised Options: $2,964,891
Current Obligation: $2,964,891
Actual Outlays: $1,742,369
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: 2026-03-06
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