HHS Awards $55.2M Contract for COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Study

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $55,223,588 ($55.2M)

Contractor: Kaiser Foundation Hospitals

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-09-10

End Date: 2024-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,208 days

Daily Burn Rate: $45.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: BAA TOPIC 9.1 PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL COHORT STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SARS COV-2 VACCINES

Place of Performance

Location: OAKLAND, ALAMEDA County, CALIFORNIA, 94612

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $55.2 million to KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS for work described as: BAA TOPIC 9.1 PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL COHORT STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SARS COV-2 VACCINES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on assessing SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness through observational studies. 2. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals is the sole awardee, indicating a specific capability or relationship. 3. The award is for Research and Development in Life Sciences, a critical area for public health. 4. A significant duration of 1208 days suggests a comprehensive, long-term research effort.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract type is 'COST NO FEE', which is common for research and development where costs are reimbursed but no profit is included. This suggests a focus on direct research expenses rather than profit margins.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and value.

Taxpayer Impact: The investment supports critical public health research into vaccine effectiveness, aiming to inform public health policy and potentially save lives, representing a valuable use of taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Enhances understanding of vaccine performance in real-world settings. Provides data to inform public health strategies and vaccine recommendations. Supports ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Contributes to scientific knowledge on infectious disease prevention.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for long-term reliance on specific research institutions.
Ensuring data integrity and unbiased reporting in observational studies.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical public health need.
Utilizes a competitive award process.
Long-term study duration allows for robust data collection.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing medical knowledge and public health initiatives, with significant government investment typically seen in areas like vaccine research.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract award. The focus appears to be on established research institutions capable of conducting large-scale observational studies.

Oversight & Accountability

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Given the nature of the research, rigorous oversight will be necessary to ensure scientific integrity and adherence to study protocols.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for bias in observational studies.
Reliance on contractor's data collection and analysis capabilities.
Long study duration increases risk of changing research landscape.
Ensuring equitable representation across diverse populations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $55.2 million to KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS. BAA TOPIC 9.1 PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL COHORT STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SARS COV-2 VACCINES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $55.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-10. End: 2024-12-31.

What is the expected impact of this study on future vaccine development or public health policy?

This study is expected to provide crucial real-world data on the effectiveness of existing SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, including their performance against emerging variants and over time. The findings will directly inform public health recommendations, vaccination strategies, and potentially guide the development of next-generation vaccines, ensuring they offer optimal protection and address evolving public health needs.

What are the primary risks associated with the 'COST NO FEE' contract type for this research?

The primary risk with a 'COST NO FEE' contract is that the government reimburses the contractor's allowable costs but provides no profit. While this can reduce overall cost, it might disincentivize the contractor from maximizing efficiency or innovation if they are not motivated by potential profit. Ensuring clear performance metrics and strong oversight is crucial to mitigate this risk.

How will the effectiveness of the vaccine be measured and validated in this observational study?

Effectiveness will likely be measured by comparing infection, hospitalization, and mortality rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals within the observational cohort, while statistically controlling for confounding factors. Validation will involve rigorous data analysis, peer review of findings, and comparison with other relevant epidemiological data to ensure the results are robust and reliable.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 HARRISON ST FL 16, OAKLAND, CA, 94612

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $55,223,588

Exercised Options: $55,223,588

Current Obligation: $55,223,588

Actual Outlays: $48,777,993

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $41,535,381

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline