SSA's $5.2M task order for payroll data exchange services awarded to Equifax Workforce Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,200,000 ($5.2M)

Contractor: Equifax Workforce Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 29 days

Daily Burn Rate: $179.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR MATCHED HITS FOR THE PAYROLL INFORMATION EXCHANGE (PIE) FROM 4/1/2025 THROUGH 4/30/2026

Place of Performance

Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21235

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Social Security Administration obligated $5.2 million to EQUIFAX WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR MATCHED HITS FOR THE PAYROLL INFORMATION EXCHANGE (PIE) FROM 4/1/2025 THROUGH 4/30/2026 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential payroll data exchange for SSA's PIE program. 2. Equifax, a known entity in credit reporting, is the awardee. 3. The contract duration is one month, suggesting a specific, short-term need. 4. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for solutions. 5. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 6. This task order represents a small portion of overall SSA IT or data services spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.2 million for a one-month task order appears reasonable given the specialized nature of payroll data exchange services. Benchmarking against similar, albeit likely longer-term, contracts for data services or credit reporting would be necessary for a definitive value assessment. However, the fixed-price structure suggests an effort to ensure cost predictability for this specific service period.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This approach typically fosters competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value solution. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competition type implies a robust process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at competitive market rates and reduces the risk of overpayment.

Public Impact

The Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits through enhanced access to payroll information for its programs. Services delivered include the exchange of critical payroll data, supporting SSA's operational needs. The geographic impact is national, as SSA serves beneficiaries across the United States. Workforce implications are minimal for this specific task order, likely involving existing personnel within Equifax.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for data privacy and security risks inherent in handling sensitive payroll information.
Dependence on a single vendor for a critical data exchange function during the contract period.

Positive Signals

Award to a known entity with established capabilities in data management and reporting.
Use of a fixed-price contract to manage costs effectively.
Competition ensures a selection based on merit and value.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT and data services sector, specifically focusing on data exchange and credit bureau services. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561450 (Credit Bureaus) indicates a specialized niche. Spending in this area supports government agencies' needs for accurate and timely data to administer programs.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this particular task order. Given the nature of the service and the awardee, it is unlikely that small businesses would be primary subcontractors unless they provide highly specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Social Security Administration's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability is ensured through the firm-fixed-price contract terms and performance expectations. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award process and public reporting mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

SSA Payroll Information Exchange (PIE)
Data Services Contracts
Credit Reporting Services
Federal IT Services

Risk Flags

Data Security Risk
Vendor Performance Risk
Reliance on Single Vendor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Social Security Administration awarded $5.2 million to EQUIFAX WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS LLC. TASK ORDER FOR MATCHED HITS FOR THE PAYROLL INFORMATION EXCHANGE (PIE) FROM 4/1/2025 THROUGH 4/30/2026

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EQUIFAX WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the historical relationship between the SSA and Equifax Workforce Solutions for similar services?

The provided data does not detail the historical relationship between the SSA and Equifax Workforce Solutions. However, the award of this task order suggests an existing or satisfactory past performance record. To fully assess this, one would need to review prior contracts, task orders, and performance evaluations between the SSA and Equifax. Understanding the duration and value of previous engagements, as well as any issues encountered or resolved, would provide crucial context for the current award's risk and value.

How does the $5.2 million cost for one month of service compare to market rates for payroll data exchange?

Benchmarking the $5.2 million cost for a single month of payroll data exchange requires detailed market analysis. This figure represents a significant daily expenditure, suggesting either highly complex data processing, extensive data volume, or specialized integration requirements. Without specific details on the scope of services, data volume, and required technical capabilities, a direct comparison to market rates is challenging. However, for a one-month engagement, this value warrants scrutiny to ensure it aligns with industry standards for similar, albeit potentially less intensive, data exchange services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the SSA?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential data security breaches, given the sensitive nature of payroll information. Service disruptions or performance failures by Equifax could impact the SSA's ability to access critical data, potentially affecting program operations. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in if this task order is part of a larger strategy, although the short duration mitigates this for this specific order. Ensuring data accuracy and compliance with all relevant privacy regulations is paramount.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the SSA's ability to administer its programs?

This contract is expected to positively impact the SSA's ability to administer its programs by ensuring continued access to accurate and timely payroll information through the Payroll Information Exchange (PIE). This data is crucial for verifying employment and income, which are often key factors in determining eligibility and benefit amounts for various Social Security programs. Reliable data exchange supports the integrity and efficiency of SSA's operations.

Are there any indications of potential cost overruns or budget issues with this contract?

The contract is a firm-fixed-price (FFP) award for a specific task order with a defined duration (one month). FFP contracts are designed to provide cost certainty, meaning the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. Therefore, based on the contract type and the limited duration, the risk of cost overruns for the government is relatively low for this specific task order. The $5.2 million is the ceiling price for the defined services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › Credit Bureaus

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1550 PEACHTREE ST NW, ATLANTA, GA, 30309

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,200,000

Exercised Options: $5,200,000

Current Obligation: $5,200,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 28321324D00060023

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline