VA awards $2.86M contract to UC Davis for primate spinal cord injury research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,866,166 ($2.9M)

Contractor: University of California, Davis

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2021-06-20

End Date: 2026-06-19

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: RESEARCH - PRIMATES SPINAL CORD INJURY

Place of Performance

Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15212

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS for work described as: RESEARCH - PRIMATES SPINAL CORD INJURY Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single university, limiting broader research participation. 2. Research focuses on a critical area for veteran health, potentially high impact. 3. Fixed-price contract offers cost certainty but may not incentivize efficiency. 4. No small business participation noted, potentially missing economic development opportunities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.86M over 5 years for specialized research is difficult to benchmark without comparable contracts. The fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope, but the absence of a stated ceiling or detailed cost breakdown makes a precise value assessment challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, suggesting a sole-source or limited competition award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed to a specific research institution without competitive bidding, potentially impacting the overall value for money.

Public Impact

Advancement in spinal cord injury research could significantly improve treatment for veterans. Potential for breakthroughs in understanding and repairing nerve damage. Funding supports academic research, contributing to scientific knowledge base.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
No small business participation

Positive Signals

Addresses critical veteran health need
Supports scientific research

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the research and development sector, specifically focusing on medical research. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing healthcare solutions, particularly for conditions affecting veterans. Benchmarks are highly variable based on research scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication of small business participation in this contract. Given the specialized nature of the research and the award to a large university, opportunities for small businesses may have been overlooked.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the awarding agency. Oversight would typically involve monitoring research progress and adherence to contract terms to ensure taxpayer funds are used effectively.

Related Government Programs

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may result in higher costs.
No small business participation.
Research outcomes are uncertain.
Long contract duration (5 years) increases risk exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS. RESEARCH - PRIMATES SPINAL CORD INJURY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-20. End: 2026-06-19.

What is the expected scientific impact of this research on spinal cord injury treatment?

The research aims to investigate novel therapeutic strategies for primate spinal cord injuries, potentially leading to breakthroughs in understanding nerve regeneration and functional recovery. The expected impact includes developing new treatment protocols that could eventually be translated to human clinical trials, offering hope for improved outcomes for individuals with paralysis.

What are the primary risks associated with this limited competition award?

The primary risks include a lack of competitive pressure potentially leading to inflated costs and reduced innovation. Without multiple bids, the VA may not be securing the best possible value or the most efficient research methods. There's also a risk that alternative, potentially more effective, approaches from other institutions were not considered.

How effectively will this contract advance the VA's mission regarding veteran healthcare?

This contract directly supports the VA's mission by funding research into a condition that significantly impacts veterans. Successful research could lead to improved treatments and rehabilitation strategies for veterans suffering from spinal cord injuries, enhancing their quality of life and reducing long-term healthcare burdens. The effectiveness hinges on the research outcomes and their eventual applicability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 36C24E21R0012

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300, DAVIS, CA, 95618

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Veterinary College

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,866,166

Exercised Options: $2,866,166

Current Obligation: $2,866,166

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline