HHS awards $12.18M contract to Tougaloo College for research support over 14 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,181,044 ($12.2M)

Contractor: Tougaloo College

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 1999-06-15

End Date: 2013-08-15

Contract Duration: 5,175 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Place of Performance

Location: TOUGALOO, MADISON County, MISSISSIPPI, 39174

State: Mississippi Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $12.2 million to TOUGALOO COLLEGE for work described as: Key points: 1. Significant long-term investment in a single institution. 2. Research support is a common but competitive area. 3. Potential risk in long contract duration and evolving research needs. 4. Focus on academic research within the healthcare sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $12.18M over 14 years averages approximately $870,000 annually. Without specific benchmarks for similar research support contracts at academic institutions, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the long duration and specific nature of research support may limit the number of truly comparable bids.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting research activities at an educational institution. The value for money depends on the outcomes and impact of the research.

Public Impact

Supports scientific research and development at a Mississippi-based college. Potential for advancements in health and medical knowledge. Long-term commitment may indicate a stable and valued partnership.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (14 years) may not adapt to changing research needs.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Limited information on the specific research outcomes.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports a recognized academic institution.
Long-term commitment suggests a successful prior relationship.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the research and development sector, specifically supporting academic research in health sciences. Benchmarks for similar long-term research support contracts are highly variable based on scope and institution.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if Tougaloo College is considered a small business. The contract was awarded directly to the institution, not through intermediaries that might involve small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services (NIH), a major federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. However, the long duration necessitates ongoing monitoring to ensure continued relevance and value.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to obsolescence or changing needs.
Lack of detailed performance metrics hinders value assessment.
Potential for scope creep over an extended period.
Limited transparency on specific research outcomes and impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $12.2 million to TOUGALOO COLLEGE. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TOUGALOO COLLEGE.

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 $12.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 1999-06-15. End: 2013-08-15.

What specific research areas does this contract support, and what are the expected outcomes?

The provided data does not specify the research areas or expected outcomes. Further investigation into the contract's statement of work would be necessary to understand the scientific objectives and the potential impact of the research funded by this $12.18 million award to Tougaloo College.

How does the annual cost compare to similar research support contracts at peer institutions?

Benchmarking this contract's annual cost of approximately $870,000 requires detailed comparison with similar long-term research support agreements at institutions of comparable size and research focus. Without access to such specific comparative data, assessing whether this represents a fair market price is challenging.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the research remains relevant and effective over the 14-year period?

Given the 14-year duration, robust oversight is crucial. This likely involves periodic reviews by NIH program officers, milestone reporting, and potential contract modifications to adapt to evolving scientific landscapes and research priorities, ensuring continued effectiveness and taxpayer value.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Contractor Details

Address: 500 W COUNTY LINE RD, TOUGALOO, MS, 39174

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Higher Education (Minority Serving), Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $167,934,903

Exercised Options: $133,588,885

Current Obligation: $12,181,044

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline