NIH awards $33M contract to University of Iowa for SEER Program research and development

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,008,434 ($33.0M)

Contractor: THE University of Iowa

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2018-05-01

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 2,921 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 20

Pricing Type: COST SHARING

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SURVEILLANCE, EPIDEMIOLOGY, AND END RESULTS (SEER) PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: IOWA CITY, JOHNSON County, IOWA, 52242

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $33.0 million to THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA for work described as: SURVEILLANCE, EPIDEMIOLOGY, AND END RESULTS (SEER) PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract supports critical public health surveillance and cancer statistics. 2. University of Iowa has a strong track record in health research. 3. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 4. Contract duration of nearly 8 years indicates a long-term need. 5. Focus on R&D in life sciences aligns with NIH mission. 6. Geographic impact is national, benefiting cancer research and public health initiatives.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $33 million over approximately 8 years for the SEER Program appears reasonable given the scope of work. Benchmarking against similar large-scale public health research contracts is challenging without more specific details on deliverables. However, the University of Iowa's established expertise in this area suggests a potentially good value for money. The contract type, 'COST SHARING', indicates a partnership where both the government and the contractor contribute resources, which can be an efficient model for long-term research.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 20 bids suggests a robust level of competition for this significant research program. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions, benefiting the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The extensive competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down costs and ensured the government received competitive proposals for the SEER Program.

Public Impact

The SEER Program, supported by this contract, provides essential data for cancer research and public health policy. Researchers nationwide will benefit from the data and analysis generated. The contract supports the development of advanced statistical methods for cancer surveillance. Workforce implications include support for researchers, data analysts, and administrative staff at the University of Iowa and potentially collaborating institutions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in long-term R&D contracts.
Reliance on a single awardee for a critical national program requires careful monitoring.
Ensuring continued innovation and adaptation to evolving research needs over the contract term.

Positive Signals

University of Iowa's established expertise in epidemiological research.
Full and open competition with a significant number of bidders.
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained focus and development.
Alignment with the critical public health mission of the NIH.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences. The SEER Program is a cornerstone of cancer surveillance in the United States, providing data that informs research, prevention, and treatment strategies. Comparable spending in this area involves other large-scale epidemiological studies and health data management contracts funded by agencies like the NIH and CDC. The market for such specialized research services is competitive, with academic institutions and research organizations being key players.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Given the nature of the research and the prime contractor being a large university, the direct impact on small businesses may be limited unless specific subcontracting opportunities arise. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in supporting roles.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the awarding agency. Mechanisms likely include regular progress reports, financial reviews, and performance evaluations to ensure the contractor meets the objectives of the SEER Program. The contract's 'COST SHARING' nature implies a shared responsibility for resource management. Transparency is generally maintained through public reporting of research findings derived from the SEER data.

Related Government Programs

Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program
National Cancer Institute (NCI) Research Grants
Public Health Surveillance Systems
Cancer Statistics Reporting
Health Services Research and Development

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Reliance on a single awardee for a critical national program.
Complexity of cost-sharing arrangements requires diligent financial monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $33.0 million to THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA. SURVEILLANCE, EPIDEMIOLOGY, AND END RESULTS (SEER) PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $33.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-05-01. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the historical spending trend for the SEER Program prior to this award?

Historical spending data for the SEER Program prior to this specific award would provide valuable context for assessing the current $33 million contract. Analyzing past expenditures would reveal if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable funding level for the program. It would also highlight any trends in contract duration, competition, and awardees over time. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively state if this award is consistent with past investment. However, the SEER Program's long-standing importance in cancer surveillance suggests a consistent need for funding, likely reflected in previous contract awards of significant value over extended periods.

How does the University of Iowa's track record in epidemiological research compare to other potential bidders?

The University of Iowa has a well-established reputation and significant experience in epidemiological research, particularly through its involvement with the SEER Program itself and other related health studies. Their track record likely includes extensive experience in data collection, statistical analysis, and dissemination of public health information. When compared to other potential bidders, such as other major research universities or specialized research organizations, Iowa's long-standing involvement and demonstrated capabilities in managing large-scale, complex data programs like SEER would be a key factor. The fact that they were awarded this contract under full and open competition suggests their proposal was deemed the most advantageous, likely due to a combination of technical merit, past performance, and cost.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this SEER Program contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a contract like the SEER Program would likely focus on the accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of cancer data collection and reporting. Specific KPIs could include metrics related to the percentage of eligible cases accurately captured, the turnaround time for data submission and analysis, the adherence to data quality standards, and the successful dissemination of statistical reports to researchers and policymakers. Other potential KPIs might involve the development and implementation of new methodologies for cancer surveillance, the successful integration of new data sources, and the overall impact of SEER data on cancer research and public health initiatives. The NIH would establish these KPIs to ensure the program effectively meets its objectives.

What is the potential risk associated with relying on a single contractor for such a critical national program over an extended period?

Relying on a single contractor for a critical national program like the SEER Program over an extended period presents several potential risks. One primary risk is contractor performance degradation; over time, motivation or capacity might wane, leading to decreased quality or innovation. Another risk is vendor lock-in, where the government becomes heavily dependent on the contractor's specific systems and expertise, making it difficult and costly to switch providers if necessary. There's also the risk of unforeseen challenges or emergencies that the contractor may not be equipped to handle, especially if their internal resources become strained. Furthermore, a lack of ongoing competitive pressure could stifle innovation. To mitigate these risks, robust oversight, clear performance standards, and contingency planning are essential.

How does the 'COST SHARING' contract type influence the value and risk for the government?

The 'COST SHARING' contract type implies that both the government and the contractor contribute resources towards the project's costs. For the government, this can potentially lead to better value by leveraging the contractor's investment, especially in long-term R&D where outcomes are uncertain. It can foster a stronger sense of partnership and shared commitment to the program's success. However, it also introduces complexity in cost tracking and auditing. The risk for the government lies in ensuring that the contractor's cost-sharing contributions are genuine and that the overall costs remain within reasonable bounds. Effective oversight is crucial to verify expenditures and ensure that the shared investment yields the expected public health benefits.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N01PC6500374

Offers Received: 20

Pricing Type: COST SHARING (T)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 105 JESSUP HALL, IOWA CITY, IA, 52242

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: $45,054,350

Exercised Options: $34,016,418

Current Obligation: $33,008,434

Actual Outlays: $17,116,776

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $286,182

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N91018D00012

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline