Social Security Administration awards $19.5K contract for physician review services over 3 months
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,524 ($19.5K)
Contractor: Lipski Marcia
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-10
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 81 days
Daily Burn Rate: $241/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: CALL ORDER FOR RMA SERVICES, INCLUDING 200 INDEPENDENT CASE REVIEWS AND 5 NON-CASE HOURS. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 04/01/2026-06/30/2026.
Place of Performance
Location: WINCHESTER, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01890
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $19,523.5 to LIPSKI MARCIA for work described as: CALL ORDER FOR RMA SERVICES, INCLUDING 200 INDEPENDENT CASE REVIEWS AND 5 NON-CASE HOURS. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 04/01/2026-06/30/2026. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on independent case reviews, indicating a need for specialized medical expertise. 2. Short performance period suggests a specific, time-bound requirement rather than ongoing support. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 4. Awarded under a BPA Call, implying a pre-negotiated framework agreement was leveraged. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 621111 points to physician services. 6. Contractor is LIPSKI MARCIA, with a single award noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $19,523.50 for 200 case reviews and 5 non-case hours appears reasonable for specialized medical review services. Given the short duration and specific nature of the task, a direct comparison to larger, long-term contracts is difficult. However, the per-case review cost is approximately $97.62, which falls within a typical range for independent medical opinions, depending on complexity and required documentation.
Cost Per Unit: Approximately $97.62 per case review.
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition than micro-purchases but is less formal than full and open competition for larger contracts. The specific competition details, such as the number of bidders or the method of solicitation, are not fully detailed in the provided data. However, being competed under SAP suggests an effort to obtain competitive pricing within the simplified acquisition threshold.
Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP aims to ensure fair pricing for taxpayers while streamlining the acquisition process for smaller dollar amounts.
Public Impact
Beneficiaries include individuals whose disability claims require independent medical review by the Social Security Administration. Services delivered include 200 independent case reviews and 5 hours of non-case related work. The geographic impact is primarily within Massachusetts, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a single physician or a small team for the duration of the contract.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited data on contractor's past performance or capacity for this specific type of review.
- Short performance period could indicate a potential need for rapid scaling or a reactive requirement.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a specific task may pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
- Awarded under a BPA Call suggests a pre-vetted contractor and streamlined process.
- The specific NAICS code indicates a focus on relevant medical expertise.
Sector Analysis
The healthcare services sector, specifically physician offices, is characterized by a high degree of specialization. Contracts for independent medical reviews are common across various government agencies, including the Social Security Administration, to ensure objective assessments of claims. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous qualified medical professionals and practices available. Benchmarking this contract's value against broader healthcare service contracts is challenging due to its niche focus and short duration.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). There is no information available regarding subcontracting plans. The award to a single contractor does not directly imply a negative or positive impact on the broader small business ecosystem without further context on subcontracting opportunities or the contractor's own size.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Social Security Administration's contracting officers and program managers. As a firm-fixed-price contract awarded under SAP, the oversight focuses on ensuring the deliverables (case reviews) meet the specified quality standards and are completed within the performance period. Transparency is facilitated by the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), which records contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Social Security Administration Disability Determination Services
- Independent Medical Examination Contracts
- Federal Physician Services Contracts
- Healthcare Advisory Services
Risk Flags
- Short performance period may impact timely completion.
- Limited contractor performance history available in provided data.
- Scope of 'case reviews' needs clear definition to ensure quality.
Tags
healthcare, physician-services, social-security-administration, ssa, massachusetts, competed, bpa-call, firm-fixed-price, small-value, medical-review, disability-determination
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $19,523.5 to LIPSKI MARCIA. CALL ORDER FOR RMA SERVICES, INCLUDING 200 INDEPENDENT CASE REVIEWS AND 5 NON-CASE HOURS. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 04/01/2026-06/30/2026.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LIPSKI MARCIA.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $19,523.5.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the typical track record of LIPSKI MARCIA with federal contracts, particularly for medical review services?
Based on the provided data, LIPSKI MARCIA has received one award from the Social Security Administration for physician services. The data does not offer details on the contractor's broader track record, past performance evaluations, or experience with similar federal contracts beyond this single instance. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to consult additional federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for a more comprehensive history of awards, performance reviews, and any potential past issues. Without this broader context, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and expertise for this specific task.
How does the per-case review cost of approximately $97.62 compare to similar independent medical review contracts?
The per-case review cost of approximately $97.62 is on the lower end for independent medical reviews, which can vary significantly based on the complexity of the case, the specialty of the physician, and the required depth of the review. Standard independent medical examinations (IMEs) or peer reviews can range from $200 to over $1,000. However, this contract specifies 'case reviews,' which might imply a less intensive review than a full IME. Given the short performance period and the specific nature of SSA disability claims, this rate might be acceptable if the scope is well-defined and the reviews are straightforward. A more precise comparison would require access to detailed scopes of work for other contracts and the specific criteria used for these reviews.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, considering its short duration and specific task?
The primary risks associated with this contract stem from its short duration (3 months) and specific task (200 case reviews). One key risk is the potential for the contractor to be unable to complete the required reviews within the tight timeframe, especially if the cases are more complex than anticipated or if the contractor faces staffing issues. Another risk is the quality of the reviews; a compressed timeline could potentially lead to rushed assessments. Furthermore, if this is a critical bottleneck for the SSA's disability determination process, any delay or quality issue could have a significant impact on claimants. The limited data on the contractor also presents a risk regarding their capacity and reliability.
How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in ensuring value for money for contracts of this size?
Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000). For contracts of this size, SAP generally promotes value for money by reducing administrative burden and allowing for quicker awards, which can be crucial for time-sensitive needs. The requirement for competition, even if less formal than full and open, helps in obtaining competitive pricing. However, the effectiveness in ensuring maximum value depends on the specific implementation, such as the number of quotes solicited and the evaluation criteria used. For a contract of $19.5K, SAP is an appropriate mechanism, balancing efficiency with a degree of competition.
What is the historical spending pattern of the Social Security Administration on physician review services?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) historically spends significant amounts on medical evidence and consultative examinations to support disability determinations. This includes payments to physicians for reviewing case files, conducting examinations, and providing expert opinions. While this specific contract is for a small amount ($19.5K), the SSA's overall spending on such services runs into hundreds of millions of dollars annually across numerous contracts and task orders. They utilize various contract vehicles, including indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts and individual task orders, to procure these services nationwide. Analyzing historical spending would reveal trends in average costs per review, contractor performance, and the types of medical specialties most frequently procured.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Physicians › Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)
Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND SURGICAL SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 9 ALBEN ST, WINCHESTER, MA, 01890
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,524
Exercised Options: $19,524
Current Obligation: $19,524
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321321AC0140002
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-10
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
Other Social Security Administration Contracts
- Itssc Task Order for Systems — $1.1B (Leidos, Inc.)
- Contractor IS to Provide the Expertise, Technical Knowledge, IT Support Personnel, and Other Related Resources Necessary for Systems Analysis and Testing — $734.1M (Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation)
- Contractor to Provide Development&database Support to Agency's Office of Software Engineering — $593.5M (Leidos, Inc.)
- THE Government Intends to Establish a Single-Award Delivery Order Base Plus Four 1year Option Periods for the Renewal of IBM Software Maintenance and the Purchase of More Additional IBM Software Licenses Against the General Services Administrations Federal Supply Schedule Program. Previous Order SS00-15-30081 — $525.4M (International Business Machines Corporation)
- NEW 66 Month Open-Market Contract for Renewal of CA Software, Support Services, and Maintenance. CA Proprietary Software Products ARE Used Extensively Throughout OUR Mainframe and Distributed Environments AT ALL SSA Data Centers — $419.8M (CA, Inc.)