SSA's $8.3M Medical Consultant Services BPA for Disability Claims Faces Limited Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $8,316 ($8.3K)
Contractor: Rosch, DR Laura M
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-02
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 89 days
Daily Burn Rate: $93/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 $8,316 to ROSCH, DR LAURA M 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 Social Security Administration (SSA) awarded an $8.3 million Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for medical consultant services. 2. The contract is for reviewing disability claim case files, a critical function for the agency's disability program. 3. Limited competition is noted, raising questions about price discovery and potential value. 4. The primary sector is healthcare services, specifically physician services related to disability assessments.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The BPA call is for firm-fixed-price services. Without a competitive bidding process for this specific call, it's difficult to assess if the $8.3 million ceiling represents a fair market price compared to similar medical consultant services for disability claims.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The award was made under a BPA call, and the data indicates it was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This suggests a lack of full and open competition for this specific call, potentially limiting price discovery and leading to a higher cost than if it were competed.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers are receiving the best possible value for these essential medical review services.
Public Impact
Impacts individuals applying for disability benefits who rely on timely and accurate case file reviews. Ensures the integrity of the SSA's disability determination process. Supports the operational efficiency of the SSA's disability program by providing necessary medical expertise.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition for BPA call
- Lack of transparency in pricing due to non-competitive award
Positive Signals
- Essential service for disability program
- Fixed-price contract type can provide cost certainty
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically 'Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)'. The benchmark for physician services can vary widely based on specialization and location, but ensuring competitive pricing is key for government contracts.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities for small businesses were overlooked or if the nature of the service inherently favors larger entities.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) can streamline procurement, but oversight is crucial to ensure that individual call orders remain competitive and provide good value. The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' flag warrants closer examination by oversight bodies.
Related Government Programs
- Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential for overpayment
- Lack of price transparency
- No 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 $8,316 to ROSCH, DR LAURA M. 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 ROSCH, DR LAURA M.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $8,316.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the specific justification for not competing this BPA call under SAP, and how does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar services?
The justification for not competing this BPA call under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) is not provided in the data. To assess value, a comparison against market rates for medical consultant services in disability claims review is necessary. This would involve analyzing pricing data from similar government contracts or private sector engagements, considering factors like consultant expertise, case complexity, and geographic location.
What are the potential risks associated with limited competition in procuring medical consultant services for disability claims?
Limited competition poses several risks, including the potential for inflated prices, reduced service quality, and a lack of innovation. Without the pressure of multiple bidders, the contractor may have less incentive to offer the most cost-effective or highest-quality services. This can lead to inefficient use of taxpayer funds and potentially impact the fairness and accuracy of disability determinations.
How effective is the current BPA structure in ensuring the SSA receives high-quality medical reviews at a reasonable cost?
The effectiveness of the current BPA structure hinges on the oversight applied to individual call orders. While BPAs can offer efficiency, the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' status for this call suggests a potential weakness in ensuring cost-effectiveness. Regular reviews of call order pricing against benchmarks and market rates are essential to gauge the overall effectiveness in delivering quality services at reasonable costs.
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: 2323 W ADDISON ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60618
Business Categories: Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $8,316
Exercised Options: $8,316
Current Obligation: $8,316
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 28321321AC0540026
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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