NIH Awards Wake Forest University $28.4M for Biomedical Research Over 15 Years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,399,284 ($28.4M)
Contractor: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 1999-09-29
End Date: 2015-09-28
Contract Duration: 5,843 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/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: WINSTON SALEM, FORSYTH County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27106
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $28.4 million to WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES for work described as: BIOMEDICAL (BASIC) Key points: 1. Significant long-term investment in basic biomedical research. 2. Competition details are limited, but contract type suggests a structured process. 3. Potential for high impact on public health and scientific advancement. 4. Sector focus is on critical healthcare and research.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $28.4 million over nearly 16 years suggests a substantial, long-term research project. Without specific deliverables or milestones, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult, but the duration implies a phased approach to funding significant scientific inquiry.
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 propose. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value, though the specific price discovery for a research grant is complex.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed towards advancing scientific knowledge, which has the potential for long-term societal benefits in health and medicine.
Public Impact
Advances fundamental understanding in biomedical sciences. Supports a major research institution, fostering scientific talent. Potential for breakthroughs impacting disease treatment and prevention. Long-term funding provides stability for complex research endeavors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or changing research priorities.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes assessing immediate value challenging.
Positive Signals
- Significant investment in a critical research area.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
- Long-term commitment allows for sustained scientific progress.
Sector Analysis
This award falls within the Biomedical (Basic) research sector, a critical area for public health. Spending in this sector is often characterized by long-term investments in fundamental science with unpredictable but potentially high-impact outcomes.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to a university, not a small business. There is no indication of specific provisions or subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a leading federal agency for biomedical research. Oversight would typically involve regular reporting and review of research progress and expenditures by NIH program officials.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data.
- Potential for research to not yield immediate or tangible results.
- Funding is for basic research, not applied development.
Tags
department-of-health-and-human-services, nc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $28.4 million to WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES. BIOMEDICAL (BASIC)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES.
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 $28.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1999-09-29. End: 2015-09-28.
What specific research areas will this funding support, and what are the expected scientific outcomes?
The data specifies 'BIOMEDICAL (BASIC)' research, indicating a focus on fundamental scientific inquiry rather than applied development. Expected outcomes are likely advancements in understanding biological processes, disease mechanisms, or potential therapeutic targets. Specifics would be detailed in the grant proposal and subsequent progress reports submitted to NIH.
How does the $28.4 million cost compare to similar long-term biomedical research grants?
Benchmarking this cost is challenging due to the long duration (nearly 16 years) and the nature of basic research grants, which are often project-specific and vary widely. However, $28.4 million over such a period suggests a significant, multi-faceted research program, likely encompassing multiple investigators and substantial resources.
What is the potential long-term impact of this research on public health and taxpayer value?
The potential impact is high, as basic biomedical research can lead to unforeseen breakthroughs in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, ultimately improving public health and reducing long-term healthcare costs. Taxpayer value is realized through scientific advancement and the potential for future economic benefits from discoveries.
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
Parent Company: Wake Forest University
Address: MEDICAL CENTER BLVD, WINSTON SALEM, NC, 27157
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $28,399,284
Exercised Options: $28,399,284
Current Obligation: $28,399,284
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 1999-09-29
Current End Date: 2015-09-28
Potential End Date: 2015-09-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-11-23
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