NIH awards $28.8M to University of Iowa for R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,832,124 ($28.8M)
Contractor: THE University of Iowa
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2003-05-15
End Date: 2010-07-31
Contract Duration: 2,634 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST SHARING
Sector: R&D
Place of Performance
Location: IOWA CITY, JOHNSON County, IOWA, 52242
State: Iowa Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $28.8 million to THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA for work described as: Key points: 1. Significant investment in R&D, focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Contract awarded to a single academic institution, raising questions about competition. 3. Long duration (2003-2010) suggests a substantial, multi-year research project. 4. Cost sharing indicates a partnership, potentially leveraging external funding.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award amount of $28.8 million over approximately 7 years suggests a substantial research project. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables or comparable NIH grants.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may not ensure the best value for taxpayer funds.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could lead to higher costs than a competed contract, impacting the efficient use of taxpayer money.
Public Impact
Supports scientific advancement in critical research areas. Potential for groundbreaking discoveries with long-term societal benefits. Investment in a specific academic institution's research capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
- Sole-source award
Positive Signals
- Investment in R&D
- Cost sharing
Sector Analysis
This award falls under NAICS code 541710, covering Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Such contracts are common for federal agencies like NIH to advance scientific knowledge.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to a university, not a small business. There is no indication of small business participation or subcontracting requirements.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's long duration and sole-source nature warrant oversight to ensure progress and value. The cost-sharing aspect may provide some level of accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated costs due to sole-source award
- Long contract duration may indicate scope creep or slow progress
- Limited transparency on specific research outcomes and their value
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, ia, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $28.8 million to THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $28.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-05-15. End: 2010-07-31.
What specific research outcomes were achieved during the contract's 7-year duration, and did they justify the $28.8 million investment?
Assessing the value requires examining the research reports, publications, and any patents or discoveries resulting from the project. Without this information, it's difficult to definitively state if the $28.8 million investment yielded commensurate scientific or societal benefits. The long duration suggests a complex, multi-phase research effort.
Given the sole-source nature, how was the pricing determined to ensure it represented a fair and reasonable cost to the government?
Sole-source contracts typically rely on historical pricing, cost proposals, and negotiation. The government likely reviewed the University of Iowa's proposed budget, potentially comparing it to similar institutional research grants or previous awards. However, the absence of competition inherently reduces the pressure for the lowest possible price.
What was the impact of the cost-sharing arrangement on the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the research project?
Cost sharing often indicates a strong commitment from the awardee and can leverage additional resources, potentially increasing the project's scope or impact. It may also incentivize more efficient use of funds, as the university has a direct financial stake in the project's success beyond the federal award.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST SHARING (T)
Contractor Details
Address: NO DATA FROM D AND B, NO DATA FROM D AND B
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $295,461,538
Exercised Options: $295,461,538
Current Obligation: $28,832,124
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-05-15
Current End Date: 2010-07-31
Potential End Date: 2010-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-04-29
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