SSA's $91K Medical Consultant Services BPA for Disability Claims Faces Scrutiny for Lack of Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $91,051 ($91.1K)
Contractor: SAI R Nimmagadda
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-02
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 89 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.0K/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 THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, MID-WEST/WEST (CHICAGO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER F
Place of Performance
Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21235
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $91,050.8 to SAI R NIMMAGADDA for work described as: BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, MID-WEST/WEST (CHICAGO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER F Key points: 1. The contract is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) call for medical consultant services, primarily for reviewing disability claim case files. 2. The estimated value is $91,050.80, with a duration of 89 days. 3. The procurement method is 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP', indicating a lack of full and open competition. 4. The primary sector is Healthcare, specifically related to physician services for disability evaluations.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's value is relatively small, but the lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price for these essential medical review services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This BPA call was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a limited competition approach. This method may not yield the most competitive pricing or optimal service selection.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition could result in higher costs for taxpayers if a more competitive process would have secured better rates or a wider range of qualified providers.
Public Impact
Impacts individuals applying for Social Security disability benefits by influencing the review process of their claims. Ensures the Social Security Administration has access to medical expertise for disability determinations. Potential for delays or inconsistencies in claim reviews if the chosen contractor is not optimal.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Limited duration may indicate a stop-gap measure
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical reviews
Positive Signals
- Provides necessary medical expertise for disability claims
- Firm Fixed Price contract type can offer cost certainty
Sector Analysis
The healthcare sector, particularly services supporting government programs like disability insurance, often relies on specialized consultants. Benchmarks for similar medical review services can vary widely based on specialization and geographic location.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not competed under SAP and does not specify if small businesses were involved or considered. Further analysis is needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The limited competition and lack of detailed justification for not pursuing a more open process warrant oversight to ensure fairness and value for taxpayer money.
Related Government Programs
- Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of transparency in competition
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited duration may indicate a temporary solution
- No clear small business participation noted
Tags
offices-of-physicians-except-mental-heal, social-security-administration, md, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $91,050.8 to SAI R NIMMAGADDA. BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, MID-WEST/WEST (CHICAGO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER F
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SAI R NIMMAGADDA.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $91,050.8.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the justification for not competing this BPA call more broadly, given the importance of objective medical reviews for disability claims?
The justification for not competing this BPA call more broadly is not explicitly provided in the data. Typically, agencies might cite urgency, existing relationships, or specific expertise required. However, for services impacting disability claims, a more open competition would generally be preferred to ensure the widest pool of qualified providers and the best possible pricing for the government and taxpayers.
What are the potential risks associated with limited competition for medical consultant services in disability claims processing?
Limited competition for medical consultant services can lead to several risks. These include potentially higher costs due to a lack of price pressure, reduced access to a diverse range of expertise or innovative approaches, and a risk of contractor complacency. Furthermore, it could raise concerns about the objectivity and thoroughness of reviews if the selection process is not robust and transparent.
How does the firm fixed price (FFP) contract type impact the effectiveness and value of these medical consultant services?
A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type provides cost certainty for the government, as the price is set regardless of the contractor's actual costs. This can be effective in controlling budgets. However, for services like medical reviews, the effectiveness hinges more on the quality and thoroughness of the work performed rather than cost alone. The FFP structure here ensures the government pays a set amount, but doesn't inherently guarantee the highest quality of medical review.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Physicians › Offices of Physicians (except 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: 6535 STOCKBRIDGE LN, LONG GROVE, IL, 60047
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $91,051
Exercised Options: $91,051
Current Obligation: $91,051
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321321AC0540002
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-02
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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