HHS Awards $21.7M for VUMC Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,680,463 ($21.7M)

Contractor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-03-08

End Date: 2025-03-07

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: FY21 BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TOPIC 9.1 - VUMC

Place of Performance

Location: NASHVILLE, DAVIDSON County, TENNESSEE, 37232

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $21.7 million to VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER for work described as: FY21 BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TOPIC 9.1 - VUMC Key points: 1. Significant award to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for R&D. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts risk to the contractor. 4. The R&D focus is broad, covering physical, engineering, and life sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $21.7M award for a 3-year definitive contract appears reasonable given the scope of R&D. Benchmarking against similar broad agency announcements for complex research projects is necessary for a definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' method indicates that all responsible sources were permitted to submit proposals. This process generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical research and development, which can lead to future innovations and public health benefits.

Public Impact

Supports advancements in medical research and scientific understanding. Potential for breakthroughs in disease treatment and prevention. Invests in the scientific infrastructure of a leading medical institution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Scope of R&D is broad and may require careful monitoring.
Long-term impact of research outcomes is uncertain.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Firm fixed price contract type.
Supports a reputable research institution.

Sector Analysis

This award falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation but can be difficult to benchmark due to the unique nature of research projects.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The primary awardee is a large university medical center, suggesting limited direct impact on small businesses for this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be critical to ensure the research objectives are met within budget and on schedule. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be responsible for monitoring progress and deliverables.

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

Broad scope of R&D may present management challenges.
Uncertainty in research outcomes and timelines.
Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly.
Limited direct small business participation indicated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $21.7 million to VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER. FY21 BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TOPIC 9.1 - VUMC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER.

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 $21.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-08. End: 2025-03-07.

What specific research areas within physical, engineering, and life sciences will this funding target, and how do they align with CDC's strategic priorities?

The Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) allows for flexibility, but specific research areas should align with the CDC's mission, such as infectious disease research, public health surveillance technologies, or novel diagnostic development. The alignment ensures taxpayer investment contributes to critical public health goals and scientific advancement relevant to the agency's mandate.

How will the success and impact of the research conducted under this award be measured and evaluated over the contract period?

Success will likely be measured through scientific milestones, peer-reviewed publications, patent applications, and the development of prototypes or methodologies. The CDC will need clear evaluation criteria and regular reporting from VUMC to assess progress against research objectives and determine the overall impact and return on investment for the public.

Given the firm fixed price nature, what mechanisms are in place to manage potential cost overruns if unforeseen research challenges arise?

While a firm fixed price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor, VUMC, as a large institution, is expected to have robust internal financial controls. The CDC's role would be to ensure VUMC's project management is sound and to address any scope creep or significant unforeseen issues through contract modifications, if absolutely necessary and justified.

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 › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1161 21ST AVE S STE D3300 MCN, NASHVILLE, TN, 37232

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Hospital, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,581,706

Exercised Options: $21,680,463

Current Obligation: $21,680,463

Actual Outlays: $21,680,463

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 6

Total Subaward Amount: $208,212

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline