SRI INTERNATIONAL's $15.8M contract with NIH for research services, awarded in 2000, concluded in 2007

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,827,819 ($15.8M)

Contractor: SRI International

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2000-07-15

End Date: 2007-07-30

Contract Duration: 2,571 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Place of Performance

Location: MENLO PARK, SAN MATEO County, CALIFORNIA, 94025

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $15.8 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL for work described as: Key points: 1. The contract's duration of over 7 years suggests a long-term need for the services provided. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors. 3. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure implies that SRI INTERNATIONAL was incentivized to control costs while performing the research. 4. The contract's value of $15.8 million over its lifespan averages approximately $2.26 million per year. 5. Performance context is primarily research and development, a common area for federal investment. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests the primary contractor was not a small business, and subcontracting opportunities are not explicitly detailed.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific details on the research services rendered. However, the total award of $15.8 million over approximately 7 years suggests a moderate annual investment. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) pricing structure is common for R&D contracts where the scope may evolve, but it can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Without comparable contracts for similar research outcomes, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovation. The fact that it was competed broadly suggests that the NIH sought a wide range of capabilities for the research services required. The number of bidders is not specified, which limits a deeper analysis of the competitive intensity.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider pool of offerors, which can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely researchers and institutions that utilize the findings or services provided by SRI INTERNATIONAL under this contract. The contract supported research and development activities, contributing to advancements in scientific knowledge or technological capabilities. Geographic impact is likely concentrated around the performing organization (SRI INTERNATIONAL) and the awarding agency (NIH), with broader dissemination of research findings. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, researchers, and support staff at SRI INTERNATIONAL.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The CPFF structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored, potentially increasing the final cost to taxpayers.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true impact and success of the research conducted.
The long duration without clear milestones could indicate a less defined scope or potential for scope creep.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair selection process.
The contract supported critical research and development, aligning with the NIH's mission.
A fixed-fee component in the CPFF structure provides some cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically supporting biomedical or scientific research funded by the National Institutes of Health. The R&D sector is characterized by innovation, long project timelines, and often complex deliverables. Federal spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement and public health. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other NIH contracts for similar research services or contracts awarded to large R&D organizations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting plans. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing specialized research capabilities from a larger entity. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless SRI INTERNATIONAL engaged small businesses as subcontractors, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. Mechanisms likely included regular progress reports, financial reviews, and potentially site visits to ensure compliance with the contract terms and objectives. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases, though specific research outcomes might be subject to publication policies. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Institutes of Health Research Grants
Department of Health and Human Services Research Contracts
Biomedical Research and Development
Federal Scientific Research Services

Risk Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics
Limited detail on research outcomes
Absence of small business subcontracting information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $15.8 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SRI INTERNATIONAL.

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 $15.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2000-07-15. End: 2007-07-30.

What specific research areas did SRI INTERNATIONAL focus on under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact research areas covered by this contract. However, given the awarding agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it is highly probable that the research pertained to biomedical sciences, health, or medicine. SRI INTERNATIONAL has a broad range of research capabilities, including but not limited to, advanced technology development, materials science, and life sciences. Further investigation into NIH's specific research priorities during the contract period (2000-2007) and SRI INTERNATIONAL's known expertise would be necessary to pinpoint the precise focus.

How does the $15.8 million total award compare to similar NIH contracts for research services during that period?

Comparing the $15.8 million total award requires context regarding the specific type and duration of research services. For a contract spanning over seven years (2000-2007), this equates to an average annual value of approximately $2.26 million. This figure is moderate for large-scale R&D efforts. The NIH funds a vast array of research, from small grants to multi-million dollar center grants and large contracts. Without knowing the specific scientific domain and the complexity of the research, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it suggests a significant, but not exceptionally large, investment for a sustained research effort.

What were the key performance indicators or milestones for this contract?

The provided data does not include specific performance indicators or milestones for this contract. Typically, Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts, especially those for research and development, outline deliverables, progress reports, and potentially specific research outcomes or phases. The absence of this information in the summary data makes it challenging to assess the contractor's performance objectively. A review of the full contract documentation would be necessary to identify any defined performance metrics or milestones that SRI INTERNATIONAL was expected to meet.

What is the significance of the 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' (CPFF) contract type in this context?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type means that SRI INTERNATIONAL was reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred during the performance of the contract, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure is often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset, such as in research and development, allowing for flexibility. The fixed fee incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently, as the fee does not increase with higher costs. However, it requires careful oversight by the government to ensure costs remain reasonable and allocable to the contract.

What was SRI INTERNATIONAL's track record with the NIH prior to or during this contract?

The provided data does not detail SRI INTERNATIONAL's prior or concurrent track record with the NIH. SRI INTERNATIONAL is a well-established research institute with a long history of government contracting across various agencies, including NIH. Assessing their specific performance on this particular contract would require examining performance reports, any contract modifications, and potential past performance evaluations. Generally, their reputation is that of a capable research organization, but specific details for this contract are absent from the summary.

Were there any significant contract modifications or challenges encountered during the contract's lifecycle?

The summary data does not indicate any significant contract modifications, challenges, or disputes that occurred during the lifecycle of this contract. Contracts, especially those with long durations like this one (over 7 years), often undergo modifications to adjust scope, funding, or timelines. The absence of noted modifications could imply a stable scope or that modifications were minor and routine. Without access to the contract file or modification history, it's impossible to determine if any significant issues arose or were resolved.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Contractor Details

Address: 333 RAVENSWOOD AVE, MENLO PARK, CA, 94025

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,378,188

Exercised Options: $19,608,575

Current Obligation: $15,827,819

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline