HHS Awards $82M to MIT for mRNA Manufacturing Facility Development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $82,182,000 ($82.2M)
Contractor: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2022-09-28
End Date: 2026-09-28
Contract Duration: 1,461 days
Daily Burn Rate: $56.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED CONTINUE CGMP FACILITY FOR MRNA MANUFACTURING - BAA-PMQWP#364
Place of Performance
Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02139
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $82.2 million to MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED CONTINUE CGMP FACILITY FOR MRNA MANUFACTURING - BAA-PMQWP#364 Key points: 1. Significant investment in critical mRNA manufacturing infrastructure. 2. MIT's expertise likely a key factor in selection. 3. Potential for long-term public health benefits. 4. Focus on R&D suggests early-stage development. 5. No small business participation noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $82.2 million for a 4-year development period appears reasonable for establishing a complex CGMP facility. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D infrastructure projects would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. The use of a definitive contract indicates a clear scope of work.
Taxpayer Impact: This investment aims to bolster domestic mRNA manufacturing capabilities, potentially leading to faster vaccine and therapeutic development, which is a significant long-term benefit for taxpayers.
Public Impact
Enhances national capacity for producing mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics. Supports advanced research and development in biotechnology. Could lead to quicker responses to future public health emergencies.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of small business involvement.
- Long project duration.
Positive Signals
- Strategic investment in critical infrastructure.
- Leverages leading research institution.
- Addresses a key national need.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced biotechnology and manufacturing. Spending benchmarks for similar large-scale facility development projects are difficult to ascertain without more specific details on the facility's scope.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this award, which is common for large, specialized R&D infrastructure projects. Future opportunities may arise for small businesses in supporting roles or subsequent phases.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Department of Health and Human Services (FDA), suggesting oversight through established federal procurement and research grant processes. The definitive contract structure implies clear deliverables and milestones for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Food and Drug Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns despite fixed-price contract.
- Dependency on a single institution (MIT).
- Long timeline for facility operationalization.
- Unclear long-term utilization plan post-development.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-health-and-human-services, ma, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $82.2 million to MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED CONTINUE CGMP FACILITY FOR MRNA MANUFACTURING - BAA-PMQWP#364
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Food and Drug Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $82.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-28. End: 2026-09-28.
What is the specific technological innovation or capability this facility is intended to enable beyond current mRNA manufacturing standards?
The provided data does not specify the unique technological advancements this integrated facility aims to achieve. Further details on the project's objectives would be needed to understand if it pushes beyond existing CGMP standards for mRNA production, potentially offering novel manufacturing processes or enhanced scalability for next-generation therapeutics.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and risk mitigation strategies for ensuring the successful and timely completion of this complex facility?
The data does not detail specific KPIs or risk mitigation plans. Given the project's complexity and duration, robust project management, regular progress reviews, and contingency planning for potential supply chain or technical challenges would be crucial. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests the contractor bears significant risk for cost overruns.
How will the output and capabilities of this facility be leveraged to accelerate the development and deployment of new mRNA-based medical countermeasures?
The data implies the facility's purpose is to support the development and manufacturing of mRNA products. Its specific impact on acceleration depends on its integration with research pipelines, regulatory pathways, and potential partnerships. The facility's existence is a foundational step, but its effective utilization will determine the speed of countermeasure deployment.
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 › N – Health R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: FDABAA-22-00123
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02139
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $82,182,000
Exercised Options: $82,182,000
Current Obligation: $82,182,000
Actual Outlays: $75,156,858
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 4
Total Subaward Amount: $1,467,140
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-28
Current End Date: 2026-09-28
Potential End Date: 2026-09-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-06-06
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