Social Security Administration awards $824K BPA for regional medical consultant services in the Midwest/West

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $82,467 ($82.5K)

Contractor: Gawo MD Yacob

Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration

Start Date: 2026-07-01

End Date: 2027-06-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $227/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 IN THE MID-WEST/WEST REGION (CHICAGO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER F

Place of Performance

Location: LINCOLNWOOD, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60712

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Social Security Administration obligated $82,467 to GAWO MD YACOB for work described as: BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR REGIONAL MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IN THE MID-WEST/WEST REGION (CHICAGO). REVIEWS BY MEDICAL CONSULTANT OF DISABILITY CLAIM CASE FILES FOR AGENCY DISABILITY PROGRAM. CALL ORDER F Key points: 1. Contract focuses on reviewing disability claim case files to support the agency's disability program. 2. Services are procured via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call Order, indicating a pre-established agreement. 3. The contract is firm-fixed-price, providing cost certainty for the agency. 4. The duration of the call order is one year, with potential for renewal. 5. The contractor, GAWO MD YACOB, is responsible for providing these specialized medical consultant services. 6. The services are essential for the accurate adjudication of disability claims.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $824,67 is for a one-year period. Benchmarking this against similar medical consultant services for disability claims is challenging without more specific data on the scope of reviews and the number of cases processed. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to control costs. The value appears reasonable for specialized medical review services, but a detailed cost-benefit analysis would be needed to fully assess value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract is listed as '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, or it could be a call order against an existing BPA that was previously competed. Further details on the BPA's competition history are needed to fully assess the procurement method.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of clear competition information raises questions about whether taxpayers received the best possible price. If the BPA was not widely competed, there's a risk that the pricing may not reflect market competitiveness.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include individuals applying for Social Security disability benefits, who will receive reviews of their case files. Services delivered include medical expertise to assess the validity of disability claims. Geographic impact is focused on the Midwest/West Region, specifically Illinois, supporting SSA operations in that area. Workforce implications include the engagement of medical professionals to support the SSA's administrative functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition or unclear procurement method for the BPA call order could lead to suboptimal pricing.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the quality of services delivered.
The specific expertise required may limit the pool of qualified contractors, potentially impacting competition.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the agency.
BPA structure can streamline future procurements for similar services.
Services directly support the critical function of disability claim adjudication.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically related to medical consulting services for administrative purposes. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 621111, Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists), indicates the type of professional services involved. Spending in this area is driven by the need for expert medical opinions to support government programs like disability determination.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) is false. This suggests that the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there an explicit indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this BPA call order. Further investigation into the parent BPA's subcontracting plan would be necessary to understand the full impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Social Security Administration's internal program management and contracting offices. The firm-fixed-price nature provides some cost control. Transparency regarding the competition for the underlying BPA and the specific performance metrics of this call order would enhance accountability. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Medical Review Services
Disability Determination Services

Risk Flags

Procurement method lacks transparency regarding competition.
Potential for cost inefficiencies due to limited competition.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Social Security Administration awarded $82,467 to GAWO MD YACOB. BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR REGIONAL MEDICAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IN THE MID-WEST/WEST REGION (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 GAWO MD YACOB.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $82,467.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of GAWO MD YACOB in providing medical consultant services to federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of GAWO MD YACOB in providing medical consultant services to federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their track record, one would need to review past performance evaluations, contract history with other government entities, and any reported issues or successes. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases and agency performance reports would be necessary to establish a comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability in fulfilling similar contracts.

How does the $824,67 value for one year of medical consultant services compare to similar contracts for disability claim reviews?

Benchmarking the $824,67 value for one year of medical consultant services requires comparison with contracts of similar scope, duration, and geographic coverage. Without specific details on the volume of case files reviewed, the complexity of cases, and the specific qualifications of the consultants, a direct comparison is difficult. However, this value appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized medical review services supporting a federal agency's disability program. Further analysis would involve examining the average cost per case review or per consultant hour across comparable contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the Social Security Administration?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential issues with the quality and consistency of medical reviews, which could impact the accuracy of disability determinations. Another risk stems from the procurement method; if the Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) call order was not adequately competed, there's a risk of paying above-market rates. Furthermore, reliance on a single contractor, even under a BPA call order, could pose a risk if the contractor experiences performance issues or capacity limitations. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance standards is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective are medical consultant services in improving the efficiency and accuracy of the SSA's disability determination process?

Medical consultant services are generally considered effective in improving the efficiency and accuracy of the SSA's disability determination process by providing expert medical opinions that adjudicators may lack. These consultants review medical evidence, assess the severity of impairments, and offer insights into a claimant's ability to work. This specialized input helps ensure that decisions are based on sound medical reasoning, reducing the likelihood of errors and appeals. The efficiency gains come from streamlining the review process and providing clear, concise medical assessments, allowing adjudicators to make more informed decisions faster.

What has been the historical spending pattern for regional medical consultant services by the Social Security Administration?

Historical spending patterns for regional medical consultant services by the Social Security Administration would reveal trends in the utilization and cost of such services over time. Analyzing past expenditures can indicate whether the agency's reliance on external medical expertise is increasing or decreasing, and how spending has fluctuated based on policy changes, caseloads, or budget allocations. Understanding these patterns is crucial for forecasting future needs and budgeting effectively. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to provide a precise analysis, but such information would typically be found in SSA's annual budget reports or procurement history databases.

What is the potential impact of using a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call Order versus a traditional contract for these services?

Using a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call Order for these services offers several potential impacts compared to a traditional contract. A key advantage is streamlined procurement; since the BPA is pre-established, a call order can be issued more quickly and with less administrative burden. This can lead to faster service delivery. It also allows for flexibility in ordering services as needed. However, the competition for the initial BPA is critical; if the BPA itself was not competitively awarded, the call orders might not achieve the best possible pricing. For taxpayers, the efficiency gains could be offset by potentially higher unit costs if competition was limited during the BPA's establishment.

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: 3501 W ALBION AVE, LINCOLNWOOD, IL, 60712

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $82,467

Exercised Options: $82,467

Current Obligation: $82,467

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 28321321AC0540014

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline