NIH awards $14.6M to Northwestern University for Biomedical Research over 16 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,624,463 ($14.6M)

Contractor: Northwestern University

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 1999-01-15

End Date: 2015-08-14

Contract Duration: 6,055 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 21

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: BIOMEDICAL (BASIC)

Place of Performance

Location: EVANSTON, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60208

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $14.6 million to NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY for work described as: BIOMEDICAL (BASIC) Key points: 1. Significant long-term investment in basic biomedical research. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting fair pricing. 3. Contract duration is extensive, requiring ongoing oversight. 4. Focus on fundamental research may have indirect but substantial long-term health impacts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.6M over 16 years averages to approximately $914K annually. This appears reasonable for a large-scale research grant from NIH, though specific benchmarks for this type of basic research are difficult to ascertain without more granular data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to compete. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is the direct funding of scientific research, which, while costly, has the potential for significant long-term societal benefits through advancements in health and medicine.

Public Impact

Funding supports fundamental scientific inquiry with potential for future medical breakthroughs. Investment in academic research fosters innovation and scientific expertise. Long contract duration allows for sustained research progress and development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (16 years) could lead to scope creep or outdated research objectives.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess research effectiveness.
Basic research outcomes are inherently uncertain and may not yield immediate practical applications.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a fair and competitive award process.
Sustained funding supports long-term research goals.
Investment in a reputable institution like Northwestern University.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Biomedical (Basic) research, a critical area for the Department of Health and Human Services. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for scientific discovery to improve public health, with significant federal investment aimed at understanding diseases and developing treatments.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to Northwestern University, a large research institution, and there is no indication of specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses. The nature of large-scale biomedical research grants often favors established institutions with extensive infrastructure and research capabilities.

Oversight & Accountability

The extensive 16-year duration of this definitive contract necessitates robust oversight from the National Institutes of Health to ensure research progress aligns with objectives and funds are used effectively. Regular reporting and milestone reviews would be crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may not adapt to evolving research landscapes.
Lack of specific performance metrics hinders outcome assessment.
Basic research has inherent uncertainty in application and timeline.
Potential for cost overruns if research scope expands significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $14.6 million to NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY. BIOMEDICAL (BASIC)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

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 $14.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 1999-01-15. End: 2015-08-14.

What is the specific research objective and expected outcome of this $14.6M biomedical grant?

The provided data does not specify the exact research objective or expected outcomes. However, as a 'BIOMEDICAL (BASIC)' research grant, it likely focuses on fundamental scientific questions related to biology, disease mechanisms, or physiological processes, with the ultimate goal of advancing general knowledge that could lead to future health innovations.

How does the annual spending of approximately $914K compare to similar NIH basic research grants?

Benchmarking this annual spend requires comparison with similar NIH grants for basic biomedical research, considering factors like research area, institution size, and project scope. Without access to NIH's grant database or specific project details, it's challenging to definitively state if $914K/year is high or low. However, it falls within a plausible range for substantial, multi-year research projects at major universities.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the effectiveness and accountability of research conducted over such a long contract period?

Effectiveness and accountability for long-term research grants are typically managed through periodic progress reports, defined research milestones, and peer review processes. The awarding agency, NIH, would likely have specific requirements for data submission, interim findings, and final reports to ensure the research remains on track and taxpayer funds are utilized appropriately.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 21

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 633 CLARK ST, EVANSTON, IL, 60208

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,437,973

Exercised Options: $14,624,463

Current Obligation: $14,624,463

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline