HHS Awards $7.6M for Rapid Antibiotic Susceptibility Diagnostic Test Development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,625,622 ($7.6M)
Contractor: Biofire Defense LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2022-09-30
End Date: 2025-12-17
Contract Duration: 1,174 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO ADVANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REVEAL RAPID AST SYSTEM AS AN ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY DIAGNOSTIC TEST TYPE OF COUNTERMEASURE TO DETERMINE THE TREATMENT FOR LIFE THREATENING URGENT INFECTIONS FROM PATIENT
Place of Performance
Location: SALT LAKE CITY, SALT LAKE County, UTAH, 84107
State: Utah Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $7.6 million to BIOFIRE DEFENSE LLC for work described as: THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO ADVANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REVEAL RAPID AST SYSTEM AS AN ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY DIAGNOSTIC TEST TYPE OF COUNTERMEASURE TO DETERMINE THE TREATMENT FOR LIFE THREATENING URGENT INFECTIONS FROM PATIENT Key points: 1. Focus on developing a critical diagnostic test for life-threatening infections. 2. BioFire Defense LLC, a single awardee, highlights potential concentration risk. 3. The contract is for Research and Development in Biotechnology. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The $7.6M award for R&D appears reasonable for advancing a novel diagnostic. Benchmarking against similar advanced diagnostic development contracts would provide further context on pricing efficiency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process for selecting the best approach. However, it is a sole awardee contract, which warrants monitoring for potential future sole-source actions.
Taxpayer Impact: The investment aims to improve patient outcomes and potentially reduce healthcare costs associated with prolonged or ineffective treatments for urgent infections.
Public Impact
Accelerates development of a crucial diagnostic tool for urgent infections. Potential to improve patient treatment decisions and reduce antibiotic resistance. Enhances national preparedness for public health emergencies.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Single awardee for a critical R&D project.
- Long contract duration (over 3 years).
Positive Signals
- Addresses a significant public health need.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in Biotechnology, focusing on advanced diagnostics. Spending in this sector is crucial for public health preparedness and innovation, with significant government investment often seen in areas like infectious disease countermeasures.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this is a sole awardee contract to BioFire Defense LLC. There is no explicit information regarding small business participation or subcontracting goals within this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. Oversight will be critical to ensure milestones are met and funds are used effectively for the intended R&D 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
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical R&D.
- Long-term nature of R&D projects introduces inherent uncertainty.
- Potential for scope creep or cost overruns if not closely managed.
- Ensuring timely and effective validation of the diagnostic technology.
Tags
research-and-development-in-biotechnolog, department-of-health-and-human-services, ut, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $7.6 million to BIOFIRE DEFENSE LLC. THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO ADVANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REVEAL RAPID AST SYSTEM AS AN ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY DIAGNOSTIC TEST TYPE OF COUNTERMEASURE TO DETERMINE THE TREATMENT FOR LIFE THREATENING URGENT INFECTIONS FROM PATIENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BIOFIRE DEFENSE LLC.
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 $7.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2025-12-17.
What is the projected timeline for achieving key development milestones for the REVEAL Rapid AST System?
The contract end date is December 17, 2025, suggesting a multi-year development cycle. Specific milestone timelines would typically be detailed in the contract's statement of work. Regular progress reports and reviews by HHS are expected to track adherence to these timelines and ensure the project stays on track for successful development.
How will the effectiveness of the diagnostic test be validated post-development to ensure clinical utility?
Post-development validation is crucial. While not detailed here, it would likely involve rigorous clinical trials and performance evaluations against established standards. HHS oversight should ensure a robust validation plan is executed, potentially involving collaboration with clinical laboratories and public health agencies to confirm the test's accuracy and impact on treatment decisions.
What are the potential long-term cost savings associated with the successful implementation of this diagnostic test?
Successful implementation could lead to significant long-term cost savings by enabling faster, more accurate treatment selection. This reduces the need for broad-spectrum antibiotics, minimizes hospital stays due to ineffective treatments, and combats the rise of antibiotic resistance, which carries substantial economic and health burdens.
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 › N – Health R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: BAA-18-100-SOL-00003
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Compagnie Merieux Alliance
Address: 79 W 4500 S, SALT LAKE CITY, UT, 84107
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $38,721,993
Exercised Options: $7,625,622
Current Obligation: $7,625,622
Actual Outlays: $7,625,622
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $8,956,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-30
Current End Date: 2025-12-17
Potential End Date: 2025-12-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-18
More Contracts from Biofire Defense LLC
- 200312!003184!2100!SG60 !USA Space and Strategic DEF CDR !dasg6003c0094 !A!N! !N! !20030925!20050308!556915205!556915205!556915205!n!idaho Technology Inc !390 Wakara WAY !salt Lake City !ut!84108!67000!035!49!salt Lake City !salt Lake !utah !+000011021639!n!n!000000000000!6550!in Vitro Dgnstc Sbstncs, Reagents, TST KTS, & STS !c9b!medical & Dental Supplies & Eq!1000!not Discernable or Classified !334519!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!u!j!2!002!k! !Z!Y!Z! ! !n!b!n!n! ! !A! !b!a!000!a!b!n! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! ! — $76.3M (Department of Defense)
- "covid 19" Biofire Respiratory 2.1 (RP2.1) Panel With Sars_cov-2 — $33.1M (Department of Defense)
- THE Overall Objective of This Contract IS to Advance the Development of the Biofire Emerging FLU Panel AS a Nucleic Acid Detection Panel for USE on the Easy-To-Use Biofire Filmarray Torch and Biofire Spotfire Platforms — $22.0M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- THE Contractor Shall Furnish ALL Necessary Services, Qualified Professional, Technical, and Administrative Personnel, Material, Equipment, and Facilities, NOT Otherwise Provided by the Government Under the Terms of This Contract, AS Needed to ADD the — $5.7M (Department of Health and Human Services)
Other Department of Health and Human Services Contracts
- Contact Center Operations (CCO) — $5.5B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- TAS::75 0849::TAS Oper of Govt R&D Goco Facilities — $4.8B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Provide the Full Complement of Services Necessary to Care for UC in ORR Custody Including Facilities Set-Up, Maintenance, and Support Internal and Perimeter (IF Applicable) Security, Direct Care and Supervision Inc — $3.5B (Rapid Deployment Inc)
- Contact Center Operations — $2.6B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- Federal Contract — $2.4B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
View all Department of Health and Human Services contracts →