Letter from Feds stating sole source need 11 2018.pdf
PDF 85 KB Posted
- Attached to
- DHS Micropact FY20 Sole Source
- Solicitation number
- 19-444DHS-REHAB-B-6631
- Issued by
- St. Clair County, Illinois
About this file
This document is a letter from the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to the Illinois Disability Determination Service (DDS) justifying the sole source procurement of MicroPact's CaseExpert software for disability claim processing. The Illinois DDS processes disability claims on behalf of the SSA, and SSA owns and maintains the IT systems used by the DDS, including the MicroPact system. MicroPact's software is specialized and integrated with SSA's policies, procedures, and data sources, and no other systems currently have the required Authorization to Operate on the SSA network. As the SSA funds and owns the IT systems, they have the authority to oversee access to the data and require the use of MicroPact's system by the Illinois DDS.
The letter explains that converting to another system would be costly and disruptive, as the MicroPact system has been customized over years of experience working with the SSA and state DDS offices. The SSA is the sole funding source for the Illinois DDS, and they are requiring the continued use of the MicroPact system, which has successfully completed the necessary security assessment and authorization process. As a result, MicroPact is the only viable option for the Illinois DDS to maintain continuity of service in processing disability claims on behalf of the SSA.
View the file
Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| B-6631 SSJF p1 MicroPact signed.pdf | ||
| SSJF Part II B6631 approved.pdf | ||
| Notice of Sole Source Hearing~12.docx | DOCX document | |
| SSJF Part II B6631 approved~1.pdf |
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Text version
Eden, Lisa DDS Springfield IL
From: Wiggins, Ron DDS Springfield IL Sent: Friday, November 02, 2018 9:57 AM To: Eden, Lisa DDS Springfield IL Subject: FW: MicroPact
FYI, latest explanation from the Feds about using Micropact. I have forwarded to Brian and Nancy.
From: Korza, Ron DDS Springfield IL Sent: Friday, November 02, 2018 9:17 AM To: Potter, Julie DDS Springfield IL <Julie.Potter@ssa.gov>; Wiggins, Ron DDS Springfield IL <Ron.Wiggins@ssa.gov> Subject: FW: MicroPact
Below is SSA’s justification as to why Micropact is our only option for our IT system.
Thanks, Ron
From: Grayson, Carole Sent: Friday, November 02, 2018 9:12 AM To: Korza, Ron DDS Springfield IL <Ron.Korza@ssa.gov> Subject: FW: MicroPact
Ron, I understand there are concerns regarding single source contracting with MicroPact to provide services to the Illinois Disability Determination Service (DDS). Due to the unique relationship between Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Illinois DDS and the issues described below, there are no other options to provide this service.
The Illinois DDS processes disability claims for the Social Security Administration (SSA) per 20 CFR
404.1603. Per 20 CFR 404.1626, the Illinois DDS is 100% funded by SSA to perform these duties. In addition to all operational costs, SSA purchases and maintains the computer and IT systems utilized by the DDS. All IT purchases (servers, wiring, computers, monitors, etc.) are purchased by SSA for use by the DDS. In addition, all data contained in the system is under the ownership and jurisdiction of SSA.
MicroPact provides the “legacy system” utilized in 48 of our 50 state’s DDSs for the express purpose of processing SSA disability cases. This is not an off the shelf product, and is not just a document creation/data storage system or software. This complex IT system integrates SSA disability policy and procedures with state fiscal and budget systems. It is connected to almost 100 other SSA systems and programs to not only provide complete disability processing capabilities to the DDS, but also transmits information to various SSA data sources to update federal records. The knowledge base of MicroPact is vast, coming after years of experience of working directly with SSA and the states, and literally millions of processed cases.
As stated earlier, the data stored in the system utilized by the Illinois DDS is owned by SSA, and SSA funds all of the IT equipment, Therefore, SSA has the authority to oversee access to that data. All
IT systems in production on the SSA network must complete a Security Assessment and Authorization (SA&A) to ensure that the system is operating under an acceptable level of risk. This process is part of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Risk Management Framework (RMF), which involves multiple federal components and independent auditors. The SA&A process takes approximately a year to complete. MicroPact has successfully completed this process, and has the necessary Authorization to Operate (ATO). There are currently no other information systems available with a current ATO that could be adopted and utilized by the Illinois DDS.
Due to the various factors cited above, MicroPact is the only information system option for the Illinois
DDS.
If you have further questions, please contact me.
Carole Grayson Disability Program Administrator (Illinois and Minnesota) Chicago Center for Disability, Integrity and Program Support (CDIPS)
(312) 575-4768
VOIP 7012-34768
From: Wiggins, Ron DDS Springfield IL Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2018 9:15 AM To: Korza, Ron DDS Springfield IL <Ron.Korza@ssa.gov> Cc: Potter, Julie DDS Springfield IL <Julie.Potter@ssa.gov> Subject: MicroPact
Ron and Julie, The DHS Office of Contract Administration(Brian Bond) called today and requested “something in writing” from the Feds stating we have to use Micropact and why, such as continuity of service, cost to convert to one of the other vendors, down time associated with changing etc.
Brian Bond said that with this, we’ll probably be able to write the contract next year for longer than 1 year. He said we need something from the Feds since they “trump” Illinois rules.
This documentation is needed since, from Illinois perspective on procurement, Micropact is a Sole Source. Also, this documentation addresses not bidding this procurement.
Thank you, Ron Wiggins
DHS-BDDS
Ron.Wiggins@ssa.gov 217-782-3448
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .