HHS awards $2.2M research contract to University of Colorado for public health studies
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,221,083 ($2.2M)
Contractor: THE Regents of the University of Colorado
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2023-09-18
End Date: 2026-10-17
Contract Duration: 1,125 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: BAA FY23 TOPIC 35 - COLORADO SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Place of Performance
Location: AURORA, ADAMS County, COLORADO, 80045
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.2 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO for work described as: BAA FY23 TOPIC 35 - COLORADO SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH Key points: 1. Contract focuses on research and development in social sciences and humanities, aligning with public health objectives. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process for the awarded entity. 3. The definitive contract structure with a firm fixed price indicates clear scope and cost expectations. 4. Research duration of 1125 days allows for in-depth study and analysis. 5. The awardee, The Regents of the University of Colorado, has a strong academic and research background. 6. This contract contributes to the broader understanding of public health challenges and solutions.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.22 million for a nearly three-year research project appears reasonable within the context of academic research grants. Benchmarking against similar federally funded research and development contracts in social sciences and humanities suggests this award is within typical ranges. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, indicating good value if the research objectives are met.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified entities had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to ensure the government receives the best value by fostering a competitive environment. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for this type of research.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and ensuring that the most capable and cost-effective research institution is selected, leading to more efficient use of public funds.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are public health researchers and policymakers who will gain insights from the study. The contract will deliver research findings and data analysis in the social sciences and humanities related to public health. The geographic impact is primarily focused on Colorado, where the University of Colorado is located, but the research findings have national implications. The contract supports academic researchers and potentially graduate students, contributing to the workforce in public health research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for research findings to be highly specialized and not broadly applicable.
- Risk of project delays or scope creep if research objectives are not clearly defined and managed.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable university suggests a high likelihood of quality research output.
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost control and predictability.
- Long duration allows for thorough and comprehensive research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities applied to public health. The federal government frequently funds such research through agencies like the CDC to understand complex societal issues impacting health outcomes. Comparable spending benchmarks in this area are highly variable, depending on the specific research topic and scope, but awards in the low millions for multi-year academic research are common.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. As a research grant awarded to a university, it is unlikely to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless specialized services are required. The primary focus is on the academic institution's internal research capabilities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will likely be managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program officials. Accountability measures are typically tied to research milestones and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through public reporting of research findings, although the specific oversight mechanisms for this contract are not detailed.
Related Government Programs
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Grants
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate
- CDC Public Health Research Programs
Risk Flags
- Research Scope Definition
- Deliverable Timeliness
- Budget Adherence
Tags
research-and-development, health-and-human-services, centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention, university-research, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, social-sciences, public-health, colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.2 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO. BAA FY23 TOPIC 35 - COLORADO SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO.
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 $2.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-18. End: 2026-10-17.
What is the specific research focus of BAA FY23 TOPIC 35?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'BAA FY23 TOPIC 35 - COLORADO SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH' and falls under 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities'. While the exact topic details are not within this data snippet, Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) typically solicit proposals for specific research areas of interest to the funding agency. Given the awardee is a School of Public Health and the agency is HHS/CDC, the research likely addresses critical public health issues through social science and humanities lenses, such as behavioral determinants of health, health disparities, community engagement strategies, or policy impacts on health outcomes.
How does the $2.22 million award compare to typical federal R&D funding for universities?
The $2.22 million award for a 1125-day (approximately 3-year) research project is within the typical range for federal research grants to universities, particularly those funded by agencies like the CDC or NIH. While some large-scale, multi-institutional projects can reach tens or hundreds of millions, individual investigator-led or smaller institutional grants often fall in the hundreds of thousands to a few million dollars. The firm fixed-price nature is less common for pure research grants, which often use cost-reimbursement, suggesting this may have a more defined scope or deliverable set than a basic science exploration.
What are the potential risks associated with this research contract?
Potential risks include the scientific validity and impact of the research findings, the ability of the contractor to meet research objectives within the specified timeframe and budget, and the potential for the research to yield inconclusive or unexpected results. Given the R&D nature, there's also a risk that the outcomes may not directly translate into immediate public health interventions. Furthermore, the firm fixed-price contract could pose a risk if unforeseen research challenges require additional resources or time not initially accounted for, potentially limiting the scope or depth of the investigation.
What is the significance of the contract being a 'Definitive Contract'?
A definitive contract is a contract that contains all the terms and clauses that are binding on the parties. In this context, it signifies that the research scope, deliverables, price, and schedule are fully defined and agreed upon. This contrasts with other contract types like basic ordering agreements or letter contracts, which might require further negotiation or modification. For a research project, a definitive contract provides a clear framework and commitment from both the government and the University of Colorado, reducing ambiguity and establishing a firm basis for the work.
What does 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities' entail in a public health context?
In a public health context, R&D in the social sciences and humanities involves applying theories, methods, and insights from fields like sociology, anthropology, psychology, economics, and political science to understand and address health issues. This can include studying social determinants of health (e.g., poverty, education, discrimination), analyzing health behaviors, evaluating public health policies and programs, understanding cultural influences on health, and developing community-based interventions. It moves beyond purely biological or clinical aspects of disease to examine the broader societal and human factors that shape health outcomes.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
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: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 13001 E 17TH PLACE F428, AURORA, CO, 80045
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,221,083
Exercised Options: $2,221,083
Current Obligation: $2,221,083
Actual Outlays: $1,700,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-18
Current End Date: 2026-10-17
Potential End Date: 2026-10-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-12
More Contracts from THE Regents of the University of Colorado
- This Effort IS the Extension of the Definition Phase (phase B) for the Earth Observing System (EOS) Solar Stellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment (solstice). the Output of the Phase B Extension Will BE a Conceptual Design Cost Review (cdcr). the Statement of Work IS Broken Down Into Three Sections: Instrument, Science, and Science Computing Facility. This IS a Principal Investigator (PI) Experiment to Make Long-Term Solar Observations With the EOS Solstice Instrument. the Measurements Will Contribute to an Improved Understanding of the Variable Energy Input to the Earth's Atmosphere With Special Emphasis on the Sun's Influence on the Temperature, Structure, Dynamics and Chemistry of the Atmospheric System. a Fundamental and Specific USE of EOS, Representing a Substantial Change From Past Practice, IS the Production and Archiving of Data Sets for General Scientific USE. These Data Sets Will Contribute to the Construction of Interdisciplinary Science Products. This Effort Will Include Management of the Complete Program and ITS Coordination. in Phase C/D/E, the University of Colorado (UC) Shall Provide the Facilities, Materials, Services, and Personnel Necessary to Continue the Sorce Mission. UC Shall BE Responsible for Mission Operations and Shall BE Responsible for the Safety of the Instruments and the Spacecraft BUS Through a Subcontract Arrangement With the Spacecraft Provider (orbital Sciences Corporation). UC Shall Develop/Maintain Algorithms for Producing the Science Data Products AS Proposed and Approved by Nasa HQ. After the Science Products Have Been Validated, These Products Will BE Transferred to the Gsfc Data Achieve for Achieve and Distribution. the Ground System Used in the Sorce Mission Shall Meet ALL Nasa Security Requirements — $144.0M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Nasa Headquarters (HQ) Manages the Mars Exploration Program (MEP), Which Selected the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (maven) Project AS a Mars Scout Mission. the Maven Principal Investigator (PI) IS DR. Bruce Jakosky, of the University of Colorado, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (lasp) in Boulder, CO. the PI Will Have Overall Control of the Maven Project. HE Will Provide Science Leadership for the Maven Mission and Manage Education and Public Outreach. This Effort Applies to Lasp and Covers Phases a, B, C, D, and E of the Maven Mission. Under Phase a of This Contract, the Contractor IS Responsible for Schedule Management, Providing Technical Progress Reports, and Mission Reviews. Under Phase B, the Contractor IS Responsible for Supporting Requirements Analysis, Project Plans, Preliminary Design Reviews, Monthly Status Reviews, Quarterly Team Meetings, E/PO Activities, and the Preliminary Science Data Management Plan. Under Phases C and D, the Contractor IS Responsible for Supporting Monthly Status Reviews, Quarterly Team Reviews, Responding to Action Items That Result From Meetings/Reviews, Supporting Formal Reviews and Launch Site Activities, and Management of E/PO Activities. Under Phase E, the Contractor IS Responsible for Providing Overall Management of the Maven Science Program and Data Analysis Activities, Ensuring Delivery of Maven Science Data Products, Mission Documentation, and Analytical Software Tools Into PDS, Participating in Analysis and Resolution of Spacecraft Anomalies, AS Necessary, Providing Overall Management of E/PO Activities PER E/PO Plan, Presenting Scientific Results AT National Conferences and in Scientific Literature, and Providing Contract Closeout Support — $117.3M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- TAS::80 0120::TAS This Contract IS for the Tasks Necessary to Design, Analyze, Develop, Fabricate, Integrate, Test, Evaluate and Support Launch of the Euvs XRS Irradiance Sensors (exis), Supply and Maintain the Instrument Ground Support Equipment (GSE), and Support the Satellite Operations Control Center (socc). the Exis IS Classified AS a Non-Primary Instrument Suite on the Goes-R Satellite and HAS a Risk Classification of B. the Contractor Shall Provide the Personnel, Materials, Facilities and Other Resources to Design, Develop, Deliver and Support Under the Basic Contract: A) Parts and Materials for 4 Flight Models B) ONE Exis Flight Model (FM) C) Three Sets of the Electrical System Test Equipment (este) D) TWO Exis Emulators (exises) E) TWO Flight Software Development Environments (fsdes) F) ONE Ground Processing Development System (gpds) G) Spares for the Four FMS H) ALL Additional Exis Mechanical and Electrical Ground Support Equipment (mgse and Egse) Called OUT Elsewhere in This Document I) ALL Items and Documents Specified in ALL Contract Documents the Contractor Shall Provide the Personnel, Materials, Facilities and Other Resources to Design, Develop, Deliver and Support: A) Option 1 for an Additional Flight Model (FM-2) B) Option 2 for an Additional Flight Model (FM-3) C) Option 3FOR an Additional Flight Model (FM-3) — $105.2M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (tsis). This Statement of Work (SOW) Defines the Effort Required by the Contractor for the Design, Engineering Analyses, Hardware and Software Development, Fabrication, Integration, Algorithm Development, Test, Evaluation, and Delivery of the Tsis Instrument, and Support for Integration of the Tsis Instrument With the Npoess C1 Mission, Support for Launch Preparations and Launch and Early Operations. Scope for the Development and Implementation of Tsis Routine On-Orbit Operations, Tsis Instrument On-Orbit Data Processing and Analysis, and Tsis Post-Launch Science Support IS NOT Included AT This Time — $90.4M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) for the Solar Dynamics Observatory(sdo) — $58.9M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
View all THE Regents of the University of Colorado federal contracts →
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 →