Social Security Administration awards $213K BPA Call for regional medical consultant services in Florida

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $213,840 ($213.8K)

Contractor: Sarah Garon

Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration

Start Date: 2026-07-01

End Date: 2027-06-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $587/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 REGIONAL MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DISABILITY ADJUDICATION (CHICAGO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER FOR

Place of Performance

Location: MIAMI BEACH, MIAMI-DADE County, FLORIDA, 33139

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Social Security Administration obligated $213,840 to SARAH GARON for work described as: BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR REGIONAL MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DISABILITY ADJUDICATION (CHICAGO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER FOR Key points: 1. The contract is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-negotiated agreement for ongoing services. 2. The service involves medical consultant reviews of disability claim case files, crucial for the agency's disability program. 3. The contract is set to expire in June 2027, with a duration of approximately one year. 4. The award is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type, providing cost certainty for the agency. 5. The contractor, Sarah Garon, is listed as the point of contact for this award. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 621111 points to Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists).

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this specific BPA Call is challenging without more detailed service delivery metrics or comparable contract data. The total award amount of $213,840 over roughly one year for regional medical consultant services suggests a moderate investment. However, without insight into the volume of case files reviewed or the specific expertise required, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost predictability, but the absence of competition raises questions about whether the most cost-effective solution was secured.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). This suggests it may have been awarded under specific circumstances that allowed for limited competition or a sole-source justification, though the exact method is not detailed. Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) themselves are often established through competitive means, but individual calls against them can sometimes be non-competitive if specific criteria are met. The lack of explicit competition details for this call makes it difficult to assess the breadth of market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: When contracts are not fully competed, taxpayers may not benefit from the most competitive pricing that could be achieved through a broader solicitation process. This can potentially lead to higher costs for the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are individuals applying for Social Security disability benefits, as these reviews are integral to the adjudication process. The services delivered directly support the Social Security Administration's mission to assess disability claims accurately and efficiently. The geographic impact is regional, specifically covering services for the Chicago area, though the contractor is based in Florida. This contract supports specialized medical consultant roles, contributing to the healthcare services sector workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of clear competition details for this specific BPA Call could mean missed opportunities for cost savings.
The contractor's location in Florida for services potentially related to a Chicago-area adjudication process raises logistical questions.
Limited information on performance metrics makes it hard to gauge the effectiveness and efficiency of the consultant's work.

Positive Signals

The use of a BPA Call suggests a pre-existing framework for efficient procurement of recurring services.
Firm Fixed Price contract type offers budget certainty for the Social Security Administration.
The contract duration aligns with the need for ongoing support in disability claim reviews.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector, particularly within the 'Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)' category, is vast and supports numerous government functions. This contract fits within the broader landscape of federal agencies outsourcing specialized medical expertise for administrative and programmatic needs. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the specific volume and complexity of case reviews, but federal spending on medical consulting services for disability programs is a significant area.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside criterion for this particular BPA Call. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this award as a set-aside. The focus appears to be on securing the necessary medical expertise, regardless of the contractor's size.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Social Security Administration's contracting officer and program managers. As a BPA Call, it operates under the umbrella of the larger BPA agreement, which should have established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is moderate, with basic award details available, but deeper insights into performance and specific task orders would require access to more detailed contract management information. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Social Security Administration Disability Insurance Program
Federal Medical Consulting Services
Government Contract Adjudication Support
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Lack of Performance Data
Geographic Discrepancy (Contractor vs. Service Area)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Social Security Administration awarded $213,840 to SARAH GARON. BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR REGIONAL MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DISABILITY ADJUDICATION (CHICAGO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER FOR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SARAH GARON.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $213,840.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-07-01. End: 2027-06-30.

What is the track record of the contractor, Sarah Garon, with the Social Security Administration or other federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of Sarah Garon as a contractor is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance history, one would need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov for past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any available contract history. Without this information, it's difficult to gauge their reliability, past performance quality, and experience relevant to medical consultant services for disability claims. A thorough review would involve looking for similar contracts, their duration, value, and any reported issues or commendations.

How does the value of this BPA Call compare to similar medical consultant contracts for disability claims adjudication?

Direct comparison of this $213,840 BPA Call to similar contracts is challenging without more specific data points. The value is influenced by factors such as the number of cases reviewed, the complexity of those cases, the required medical specialties, and the geographic scope of the services. Typically, contracts for medical consultants supporting disability programs can range significantly in value. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify contracts with similar service scopes (e.g., case file reviews, expert opinions) awarded by the SSA or other agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for their disability claims processes. The 'per-case' cost or 'per-hour' rate would be a more granular metric for comparison if available.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential quality issues with medical reviews if the consultant lacks sufficient expertise or diligence, leading to incorrect disability determinations. Another risk is the potential for cost overruns if the firm fixed-price model doesn't adequately account for unforeseen case complexities, although FFP generally shifts cost risk to the contractor. Delays in case reviews could also impact the efficiency of the disability program. Mitigation strategies would likely involve clear performance standards outlined in the BPA Call, regular performance monitoring by the SSA, and potentially audit procedures. The limited competition also presents a risk of not securing the best possible value.

How effective is the current medical consultant service model for the SSA's disability program?

The effectiveness of the current medical consultant service model, as represented by this BPA Call, cannot be fully assessed from the provided data alone. The SSA relies on such services to provide crucial medical expertise in evaluating disability claims, which is essential for program integrity and fairness. Effectiveness would be measured by metrics such as the accuracy and consistency of medical reviews, the timeliness of consultant input, and the overall impact on the disability adjudication process (e.g., reducing backlogs, improving decision quality). Without access to performance reports, quality assurance data, or program outcome statistics related to these services, a definitive judgment on effectiveness is not possible.

What are the historical spending patterns for medical consultant services by the Social Security Administration?

Historical spending patterns for medical consultant services by the Social Security Administration (SSA) would reveal the agency's reliance on external medical expertise for its disability determination process. This includes understanding the total budget allocated to such services over time, the number and types of contracts awarded (e.g., BPAs, individual service contracts), and the primary contractors utilized. Analyzing these patterns can indicate trends in outsourcing, cost fluctuations, and the evolution of the SSA's strategy for leveraging medical expertise. Accessing historical contract databases and budget reports would be necessary to provide specific figures and trends for SSA's spending in this area.

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: 90 ALTON RD APT 906, MIAMI BEACH, FL, 33139

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $213,840

Exercised Options: $213,840

Current Obligation: $213,840

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 28321321AC0540013

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline