Biomedical research contract awarded to Regents of the University of California, San Francisco for over $11.3 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,315,733 ($11.3M)

Contractor: Regents of the University of California, SAN Francisco, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2000-09-21

End Date: 2007-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,565 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: BIOMEDICAL (BASIC)

Place of Performance

Location: SAN FRANCISCO, SAN FRANCISCO County, CALIFORNIA, 94103, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $11.3 million to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, THE for work described as: BIOMEDICAL (BASIC) Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a multi-year biomedical research project. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Contract duration of over 7 years indicates a significant, long-term research effort. 4. The award was made by the National Institutes of Health, a primary funder of biomedical research. 5. This contract falls within the broad category of basic biomedical research.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $11.3 million over nearly 7 years suggests a moderate annual spend for a significant research project. Benchmarking against similar large-scale, multi-year biomedical research grants or contracts from NIH would provide a clearer picture of value for money. However, the 'COST NO FEE' (PT) award type indicates that the government is reimbursing the contractor for actual costs incurred, which is common in research settings and aims to cover expenses without profit, potentially enhancing value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 2 bids (no: 2) suggests a competitive environment, though the exact number of bidders can vary significantly for specialized research contracts. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple entities to vie for the contract, potentially driving down costs and ensuring the best value is obtained.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, who will conduct the biomedical research. The services delivered are fundamental biomedical research activities, contributing to scientific knowledge. The geographic impact is primarily within California, where the research institution is located. The contract supports a scientific workforce, including researchers, technicians, and support staff at the university.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in long-term research projects if not managed closely.
Reliance on specific research personnel whose departure could impact project continuity.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable research institution (Regents of the University of California, San Francisco).
Long contract duration suggests a stable funding environment for critical research.
Awarded by a leading federal agency for biomedical research (NIH).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Biomedical (Basic)' research sector, which is a significant area of federal investment. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, supporting a vast ecosystem of academic institutions and private companies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large, multi-year research grants awarded by NIH to universities for basic science investigations, which can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars depending on the scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides, nor is there information suggesting specific subcontracting plans for small businesses. As a research grant awarded to a large university system, the primary focus is likely on the research capabilities of the institution itself rather than on engaging a broad network of small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Institutes of Health program officials and grants management specialists. They would monitor progress reports, financial expenditures, and adherence to research protocols. Transparency is generally maintained through public databases of federal awards and scientific publications resulting from the research. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Institutes of Health Research Grants
Biomedical Research and Development
University Research Partnerships

Risk Flags

Long-term nature of research contracts requires ongoing monitoring for relevance and progress.
Potential for cost overruns in research projects if not meticulously managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $11.3 million to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, THE. BIOMEDICAL (BASIC)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, THE.

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 $11.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2000-09-21. End: 2007-09-30.

What specific area of biomedical research does this contract focus on?

The provided data categorizes this contract under 'BIOMEDICAL (BASIC)' research. While the specific sub-field is not detailed, this classification implies the research aims to expand fundamental knowledge and understanding of biological processes and disease mechanisms, rather than focusing on immediate clinical applications or product development. Such basic research often lays the groundwork for future medical breakthroughs and therapeutic strategies.

How does the contract's duration and value compare to typical NIH research awards?

This contract spans approximately 7 years (2565 days) with a total value of over $11.3 million. NIH research awards can vary significantly in duration and funding. Large, multi-project or program project grants can indeed run for 5-10 years and involve millions of dollars. However, many individual investigator-initiated research project grants (R01s) are typically funded for 3-5 years with budgets often in the range of $250,000-$500,000 per year. This contract appears to be on the larger end, possibly representing a significant program or center grant.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'COST NO FEE' contract for basic research?

A 'COST NO FEE' (PT) contract means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable, allocable, and reasonable costs incurred in performing the contract, but does not pay any profit or fee. For basic research, the primary risk is ensuring that the costs incurred are well-documented, justified, and directly related to the research objectives. There's a potential for cost overruns if research proves more complex or expensive than initially anticipated. Effective financial oversight by the awarding agency (NIH) is crucial to manage these costs and ensure funds are used efficiently towards the research goals.

What is the significance of the 'CA' (California) state code for this contract?

The 'CA' state code indicates that the primary performance location or the contractor's address for this award is in California. Given that the contractor is 'REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO,' this aligns with the university's main campus location. This signifies that federal research funding is being directed to a major research institution within California, supporting its scientific infrastructure and personnel.

What does the 'DCA' award action code signify?

The 'DCA' award action code typically signifies a 'Contract Award' or 'Documented Contracting Action.' In the context of federal procurement and grants, it indicates the formalization of an agreement to provide goods or services, or in this case, to fund research. It represents the point at which the government officially commits funds and enters into a binding arrangement with the selected entity, the Regents of the University of California, San Francisco.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: State of California Controllers Office (UEI: 071549000)

Address: 1855 FOLSOM ST STE 425, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94103

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,815,733

Exercised Options: $11,815,733

Current Obligation: $11,315,733

Timeline