SSA's $40.5M Medical Consultant Services BPA for Disability Claims Faces Scrutiny for Lack of Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $40,552 ($40.6K)
Contractor: Henry Schniewind JR MD
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2026-03-31
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 91 days
Daily Burn Rate: $446/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 CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IN THE NORTHEAST REGION (BOSTON). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORD
Place of Performance
Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02142
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $40,552 to HENRY SCHNIEWIND JR MD for work described as: BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IN THE NORTHEAST REGION (BOSTON). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORD Key points: 1. The contract is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for medical consultant services, primarily reviewing disability claim case files. 2. The estimated value is $40.5 million, with a period of performance extending to June 2026. 3. The procurement method is 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP', raising concerns about competition and potential price discovery. 4. The services fall under the 'Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists' NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's value of $40.5 million for medical consultant services is substantial. Without clear benchmarks or competitive pricing data, assessing its value is difficult. The lack of competition suggests potential overpricing.
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 method may not yield the best prices for taxpayers as it bypasses a broader search for qualified contractors.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of robust competition could lead to higher costs for taxpayers, as the agency may not be securing the most cost-effective services available.
Public Impact
Citizens relying on disability benefits may experience delays or inconsistencies in claim reviews due to the contractor's performance. The use of a non-competed BPA could set a precedent for similar procurements, potentially limiting future competition. Taxpayer funds are being allocated without a clear demonstration of competitive pricing, raising questions about fiscal responsibility.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Limited transparency in pricing
Positive Signals
- Essential service for disability program
- Long-term contract provides stability
Sector Analysis
The healthcare sector, particularly services supporting government programs like disability claims, often involves specialized expertise. Benchmarks for similar medical consultant services can vary widely based on specialization and region, making direct comparisons challenging without competitive data.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract does not involve small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). There is no indication of efforts to subcontract with small businesses for these services.
Oversight & Accountability
The non-competed nature of this BPA call warrants oversight to ensure fair pricing and adequate performance. Accountability rests with the Social Security Administration to justify the procurement method and monitor contractor effectiveness.
Related Government Programs
- Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of documented competition
- Potential for non-competitive pricing
- Absence of small business participation
- Limited transparency on contractor selection criteria
- High contract value without clear justification for sole-sourcing
Tags
offices-of-physicians-mental-health-spec, social-security-administration, ma, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $40,552 to HENRY SCHNIEWIND JR MD. BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IN THE NORTHEAST REGION (BOSTON). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORD
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is HENRY SCHNIEWIND JR MD.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $40,552.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-03-31. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the justification for not competing this substantial BPA call for medical consultant services?
The justification for not competing this BPA call is not provided in the data. Typically, agencies may use non-competed procurements for specific reasons such as urgency, unique capabilities, or existing contract vehicles. However, for a contract valued at $40.5 million, a thorough justification and documentation of market research would be expected to ensure fair and reasonable pricing.
What are the potential risks associated with the limited competition for these medical consultant services?
The primary risk of limited competition is the potential for inflated prices, as the contractor faces less pressure to offer competitive rates. There's also a risk of reduced service quality or innovation if the agency doesn't have alternative options to incentivize performance. Furthermore, it limits opportunities for other qualified providers, including small businesses, to compete for government contracts.
How can the effectiveness of the medical consultant services be objectively measured without competitive benchmarks?
Effectiveness can be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to the core function: reviewing disability claim case files. This includes metrics like turnaround time for reviews, accuracy rates of assessments, adherence to agency guidelines, and feedback from agency staff on the quality and utility of the consultant's reports. Client satisfaction surveys and periodic performance reviews are also crucial.
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: 10 ROGERS ST APT 202, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02142
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $40,552
Exercised Options: $40,552
Current Obligation: $40,552
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321321AC0140001
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-03-31
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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