Social Security Administration awards $125K for Spanish-speaking medical expert services, raising value-for-money questions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $124,733 ($124.7K)

Contractor: Williams Consulting LLC

Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-10-11

Contract Duration: 192 days

Daily Burn Rate: $650/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SIX-MONTH MANAGEMENT FEES FOR TASK ORDER TO PROVIDE SPANISH SPEAKING MEDICAL EXPERT SERVICES FOR CASES ORIGINATING IN PUERTO RICO.

Place of Performance

Location: CATONSVILLE, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21228

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Social Security Administration obligated $124,732.74 to WILLIAMS CONSULTING LLC for work described as: SIX-MONTH MANAGEMENT FEES FOR TASK ORDER TO PROVIDE SPANISH SPEAKING MEDICAL EXPERT SERVICES FOR CASES ORIGINATING IN PUERTO RICO. Key points: 1. The contract's value-for-money is questionable given the short duration and lack of competition. 2. Competition dynamics are absent, as the contract was not competed under simplified acquisition procedures. 3. Risk indicators include potential overpayment due to sole-source award and limited performance data. 4. Performance context is limited to a six-month period for specific case management. 5. Sector positioning is within administrative management and general management consulting services.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The six-month management fee of $124,732.74 for Spanish-speaking medical expert services appears high for the limited scope and duration. Without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark this against market rates or similar contracts. The lack of transparency in pricing and the sole-source nature of the award prevent a thorough assessment of whether the government is receiving good value for its investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under simplified acquisition procedures, indicating a sole-source award. The absence of competition means there was no opportunity for multiple vendors to bid, which typically drives down prices and ensures the best value for the government. The rationale for not competing this requirement is not provided, which is a concern for transparency and cost-effectiveness.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium for these services due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without a bidding process, the contractor has no incentive to offer the lowest possible price.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries in Puerto Rico requiring Spanish-speaking medical expertise for Social Security cases will receive direct services. The contract supports the delivery of essential administrative and consulting services for the Social Security Administration. Geographic impact is focused on cases originating in Puerto Rico. Workforce implications include the engagement of specialized medical experts fluent in Spanish.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated pricing.
Limited contract duration raises questions about long-term service needs and potential for future sole-source awards.
Absence of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess service quality and effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Addresses a specific, critical need for Spanish-speaking medical expertise.
Focuses on a defined geographic area and case type, suggesting targeted service delivery.
Contract is for a fixed price, providing some cost certainty for the specified period.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the administrative management and general management consulting services sector (NAICS 541611). This sector encompasses a wide range of advisory and assistance services. The market for such services is competitive, but specific niche expertise, like Spanish-speaking medical experts for a particular region, can command higher rates, especially when procured through non-competitive means. Benchmarking is difficult without comparable sole-source awards.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Given it was a sole-source award, there were no subcontracting opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific procurement. The impact on the small business ecosystem is negligible for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract are presumed to be managed by the Social Security Administration's contracting officers and program managers. However, the sole-source nature of the award limits the transparency typically afforded by competitive processes. Accountability measures would rely on the contractor's performance and the agency's internal review processes. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud or mismanagement is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Social Security Administration Medical Expert Services
Language Services for Federal Agencies
Management and Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
High cost for a short-duration service.
Limited transparency in pricing and vendor selection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Social Security Administration awarded $124,732.74 to WILLIAMS CONSULTING LLC. SIX-MONTH MANAGEMENT FEES FOR TASK ORDER TO PROVIDE SPANISH SPEAKING MEDICAL EXPERT SERVICES FOR CASES ORIGINATING IN PUERTO RICO.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WILLIAMS CONSULTING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $124,732.74.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-10-11.

What is the track record of Williams Consulting LLC in providing similar medical expert services to federal agencies?

Information regarding Williams Consulting LLC's specific track record in providing Spanish-speaking medical expert services to federal agencies is not readily available in the provided data. As this was a sole-source award, a detailed review of past performance or comparison with other contractors is not possible through this contract's data alone. Further investigation into the contractor's history, including past performance evaluations and other federal contracts, would be necessary to assess their capabilities and reliability for this specific task.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar services procured competitively?

Direct comparison of this contract's cost to competitively procured services is challenging due to its sole-source nature and limited scope. The $124,732.74 fee for six months of management services for Spanish-speaking medical experts lacks a clear per-unit cost or detailed breakdown, making benchmarking difficult. Typically, competitive bidding processes result in lower prices due to market forces. Without access to data on similar, competitively awarded contracts for specialized medical consulting in Puerto Rico, it's impossible to definitively state if this price is above or below market rates.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source contract include potential overpayment due to the lack of competitive pricing, limited transparency in the procurement process, and the possibility of vendor lock-in if similar needs arise in the future. Without competition, there's less assurance that the Social Security Administration is obtaining the best possible value. Additionally, the reliance on a single vendor for specialized services could pose a risk if the contractor fails to perform adequately or experiences operational issues. The short duration, however, mitigates some long-term risks.

How effective is the Social Security Administration in managing contracts for specialized services like this?

The provided data does not offer sufficient information to assess the overall effectiveness of the Social Security Administration (SSA) in managing contracts for specialized services. While this specific contract addresses a clear need for Spanish-speaking medical expertise for cases originating in Puerto Rico, its sole-source nature raises questions about procurement efficiency and value. The SSA's effectiveness would be better evaluated by examining a broader portfolio of its contracts, including competitive awards, performance metrics, and any documented successes or failures in managing complex service agreements.

What is the historical spending pattern for Spanish-speaking medical expert services by the SSA?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for Spanish-speaking medical expert services by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This specific contract represents a single instance of such a requirement. To understand historical spending, a broader analysis of SSA's procurement history, including previous contracts for similar services, their durations, costs, and procurement methods (competitive vs. sole-source), would be necessary. This would help determine if this $125K award is an outlier or part of a consistent spending trend.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5523 RESEARCH PARK DR, CATONSVILLE, MD, 21228

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $124,733

Exercised Options: $124,733

Current Obligation: $124,733

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 28321323D00060002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline