NIH Spends $17.17M on Centralized Chemopreventive Agent Repository and Chemistry Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,170,665 ($17.2M)

Contractor: Mriglobal

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2019-07-01

End Date: 2023-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CENTRALIZED CHEMOPREVENTIVE AGENT REPOSITORY AND CHEMISTRY SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: KANSAS CITY, JACKSON County, MISSOURI, 64110

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $17.2 million to MRIGLOBAL for work described as: CENTRALIZED CHEMOPREVENTIVE AGENT REPOSITORY AND CHEMISTRY SUPPORT Key points: 1. The contract awarded to MRIGLOBAL for $17.17M supports a critical repository for chemopreventive agents. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process for this scientific consulting service. 3. The contract duration of 1460 days (4 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' sector is broad, but this contract focuses on a specific niche. 5. The cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type may lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount is $17.17M over four years. Benchmarking against similar scientific consulting contracts is difficult without more specific service details, but the amount appears substantial for specialized chemistry support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. The fixed-fee component aims to control costs, but the cost-plus nature allows for reimbursement of allowable costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure necessary scientific services at a reasonable price, though the cost-plus structure warrants monitoring.

Public Impact

Ensures availability of critical chemopreventive agents for research. Supports advancements in cancer prevention research through specialized chemistry services. Provides a centralized resource for the scientific community. Potential for long-term public health benefits through improved cancer prevention strategies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type can lead to cost uncertainty.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to assess value.
Potential for scope creep in a long-term scientific support contract.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Supports critical NIH research mission.
Long-term contract provides stability for research continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services,' a broad category. Spending in this area supports various government research and development initiatives. The specific focus on a chemopreventive agent repository suggests a specialized, high-value scientific niche.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to MRIGLOBAL, a large business. There is no indication of small business participation or subcontracting in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of HHS. Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance, costs, and adherence to scientific objectives to ensure value for taxpayer money.

Related Government Programs

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type.
Long contract duration (4 years).
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Potential for high cost if not managed effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $17.2 million to MRIGLOBAL. CENTRALIZED CHEMOPREVENTIVE AGENT REPOSITORY AND CHEMISTRY SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MRIGLOBAL.

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 $17.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-07-01. End: 2023-06-30.

How does the cost of maintaining this centralized repository compare to decentralized approaches, and what is the overall value proposition for NIH research?

The value proposition lies in consolidating expertise and resources for chemopreventive agents, potentially leading to cost efficiencies and accelerated research compared to fragmented efforts. A detailed cost-benefit analysis would be needed to quantify savings and research acceleration, considering factors like specialized equipment, personnel, and inventory management.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the effectiveness of MRIGLOBAL's chemistry support and repository management?

Effectiveness is likely measured by the availability and quality of the chemopreventive agents, the timeliness of chemistry support provided to researchers, and adherence to safety and storage protocols. Specific KPIs might include agent purity levels, turnaround time for sample requests, and successful completion of chemistry support tasks as defined in the statement of work.

Given the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, what mechanisms are in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensure the government receives fair pricing?

The fixed-fee component provides some cost control by capping the contractor's profit. Robust oversight by NIH contracting officers, regular audits of incurred costs, and clear definition of allowable expenses in the contract are crucial. Performance reviews and potential incentives or penalties tied to milestones can also help manage costs and ensure value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › LABORATORY TESTING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: N02CN7501445

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 425 VOLKER BLVD, KANSAS CITY, MO, 64110

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,170,665

Exercised Options: $17,170,665

Current Obligation: $17,170,665

Actual Outlays: $7,891,058

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 30

Total Subaward Amount: $2,799,856

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N91018D00026

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline