HHS awards $29.3M contract for biotechnology R&D to Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,266,208 ($29.3M)

Contractor: Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2020-04-14

End Date: 2025-02-08

Contract Duration: 1,761 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: OTA TO ESTABLISH THE FOUNDRY FOR AMERICAN BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEXTFAB) AIMS TO ACCELERATE THE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, MANUFADEPLOYMENT, OPERATIONS, AND AVAILABILITY OF: REVOLUTIONARY ADVANCES IN SCIENCE,

Place of Performance

Location: MANCHESTER, HILLSBOROUGH County, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03101

State: New Hampshire Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $29.3 million to ADVANCED REGENERATIVE MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE INC for work described as: OTA TO ESTABLISH THE FOUNDRY FOR AMERICAN BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEXTFAB) AIMS TO ACCELERATE THE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, MANUFADEPLOYMENT, OPERATIONS, AND AVAILABILITY OF: REVOLUTIONARY ADVANCES IN SCIENCE, Key points: 1. Contract focuses on accelerating research, development, and deployment of revolutionary biotechnology advances. 2. The awardee, Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute Inc., is a key player in the advanced manufacturing sector. 3. Potential risks include the long duration of the contract and the inherent uncertainties in R&D. 4. Spending is categorized under R&D in Biotechnology, a critical sector for national health preparedness.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $29.3 million over approximately 4.8 years appears reasonable for a large-scale biotechnology R&D initiative. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D contracts is difficult due to the specialized nature of the work.

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. This method is expected to yield fair pricing and identify the most capable offeror for this complex R&D effort.

Taxpayer Impact: The investment aims to foster innovation, potentially leading to significant long-term economic and health benefits for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Accelerates development of critical biotechnology for national health security. Supports advanced manufacturing capabilities within the US. Potential for groundbreaking scientific discoveries and commercialization. Invests in a future-oriented sector with long-term economic implications.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

R&D inherent risks
Long contract duration
Dependency on specific awardee's expertise

Positive Signals

Focus on critical biotechnology
Full and open competition
Potential for significant innovation

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Biotechnology R&D sector, which is characterized by high innovation potential and significant investment. Spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the specialized and evolving nature of the field.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The focus appears to be on a large-scale institute, suggesting prime contractor capabilities are prioritized.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), indicating oversight aligned with national health security objectives.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Programs

Risk Flags

High R&D risk
Long contract duration (over 4 years)
Dependency on a single awardee for complex innovation
Potential for cost overruns in research
Uncertainty of achieving 'revolutionary' advances

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $29.3 million to ADVANCED REGENERATIVE MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE INC. OTA TO ESTABLISH THE FOUNDRY FOR AMERICAN BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEXTFAB) AIMS TO ACCELERATE THE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, MANUFADEPLOYMENT, OPERATIONS, AND AVAILABILITY OF: REVOLUTIONARY ADVANCES IN SCIENCE,

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED REGENERATIVE MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-04-14. End: 2025-02-08.

What are the specific milestones and deliverables expected under this contract, and how will progress be measured?

The contract aims to accelerate research, development, manufacturing, deployment, operations, and availability of revolutionary biotechnology advances. Specific milestones and deliverables would typically be detailed in the contract's statement of work, outlining phases of research, prototype development, testing, and potential scaling. Progress would likely be measured through regular reporting, technical reviews, and achievement of predefined performance metrics related to scientific advancement and readiness for deployment.

What are the contingency plans if the research and development efforts do not yield the desired revolutionary advances within the contract period?

Given the inherent risks in R&D, contingency plans would likely involve phased funding tied to achieving specific research milestones, allowing for termination or redirection if critical objectives are not met. The contract might also include provisions for intellectual property rights and knowledge transfer, ensuring that even unsuccessful research contributes to the broader scientific community. The government may also explore alternative approaches or technologies if the primary R&D path proves unfruitful.

How will the government ensure the long-term availability and accessibility of the biotechnologies developed under this contract beyond the contract's end date?

Ensuring long-term availability and accessibility will depend on the contract's intellectual property clauses and any subsequent agreements. The government may negotiate licensing rights, pursue further development contracts, or encourage commercialization pathways. The goal of accelerating deployment suggests a focus on making these advances practical and accessible for public health needs, potentially through partnerships or public-private initiatives post-contract.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 400 COMMERCIAL ST, MANCHESTER, NH, 03101

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,266,208

Exercised Options: $29,266,208

Current Obligation: $29,266,208

Actual Outlays: $23,908,164

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $2,237,645

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline