NIH awards $7.6M for novel mRNA vaccine research to prevent triple-negative breast cancer
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $764,880 ($764.9K)
Contractor: University of Oklahoma
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2024-06-17
End Date: 2026-06-16
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TO TITLE: A NOVEL MRNA VACCINE TO PREVENT TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER IDIQ TITLE: PREVENT CANCER PRECLINICAL DRUG DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: PRECLINICAL EFFICACY AND INTERMEDIATE ENDPOINT BIOMARKERS
Place of Performance
Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA County, OKLAHOMA, 73104
State: Oklahoma Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $764,880 to UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA for work described as: TO TITLE: A NOVEL MRNA VACCINE TO PREVENT TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER IDIQ TITLE: PREVENT CANCER PRECLINICAL DRUG DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: PRECLINICAL EFFICACY AND INTERMEDIATE ENDPOINT BIOMARKERS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on preclinical drug development, aiming to establish efficacy and identify biomarkers. 2. Research and Development in Biotechnology sector, specifically focusing on vaccine technology. 3. Single award indicates a targeted approach to a specific research need. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 5. Long-term duration of 729 days allows for comprehensive study and analysis. 6. Geographic focus on Oklahoma for this specific research initiative.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $7.6 million for a preclinical drug development program appears reasonable given the specialized nature of mRNA vaccine research. Benchmarking against similar early-stage biotechnology research contracts would provide a more precise assessment, but the scope suggests a significant investment in a novel therapeutic approach. The firm fixed-price structure helps manage cost risks for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified entities had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition mechanism is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive proposals for specialized research services.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and a wider pool of innovative solutions.
Public Impact
Patients with triple-negative breast cancer stand to benefit from the development of a novel preventative vaccine. The research aims to advance the understanding and development of mRNA vaccine technology. The geographic impact is concentrated in Oklahoma, supporting local research institutions. This contract supports highly skilled researchers and technicians in the biotechnology field.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for long development timelines inherent in early-stage drug research.
- Success is contingent on complex scientific breakthroughs in a rapidly evolving field.
Positive Signals
- Focus on a critical unmet medical need (triple-negative breast cancer).
- Leverages cutting-edge mRNA technology with demonstrated potential.
- Awarded to a research institution with a stated focus on preclinical drug development.
- Firm fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Biotechnology sub-sector of Research and Development. The market for biotechnology R&D is characterized by high innovation, significant investment, and long development cycles. Spending in this area is driven by the need for novel therapeutics and diagnostics to address complex diseases. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other federal grants and contracts awarded for early-stage drug discovery and vaccine development.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As a research and development award to a university, the focus is likely on specialized scientific expertise rather than broad subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. NIH typically employs program officers and contracting officers to monitor progress, ensure compliance with terms, and review deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases and potential publication of research findings.
Related Government Programs
- National Institutes of Health Research Grants
- Biotechnology Research and Development Programs
- Cancer Research Initiatives
- Vaccine Development Programs
Risk Flags
- Scientific Risk
- Long Development Timeline
- Translational Risk
Tags
research-and-development, biotechnology, vaccine-development, cancer-research, mrna-technology, preclinical-studies, department-of-health-and-human-services, national-institutes-of-health, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, university-research, oklahoma
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $764,880 to UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA. TO TITLE: A NOVEL MRNA VACCINE TO PREVENT TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER IDIQ TITLE: PREVENT CANCER PRECLINICAL DRUG DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: PRECLINICAL EFFICACY AND INTERMEDIATE ENDPOINT BIOMARKERS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA.
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 $764,880.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-06-17. End: 2026-06-16.
What is the track record of the University of Oklahoma in securing and successfully completing federal research and development contracts, particularly in biotechnology?
The University of Oklahoma has a history of receiving federal funding for research and development. While specific details on their track record for biotechnology contracts of this magnitude are not immediately available in this dataset, universities are generally experienced in managing federal grants and contracts. A deeper analysis would involve reviewing the university's past performance on similar NIH or other agency awards, including their success rates in achieving research milestones, adherence to budgets, and timely completion of projects. Their ability to secure this award suggests a positive assessment of their capabilities by the NIH.
How does the $7.6 million award compare to typical funding levels for preclinical mRNA vaccine development programs?
The $7.6 million award for preclinical mRNA vaccine development is within a reasonable range for early-stage research. Preclinical studies, especially those involving novel technologies like mRNA for complex diseases such as triple-negative breast cancer, require significant investment in laboratory work, animal studies, biomarker analysis, and formulation development. Funding for such programs can vary widely, from a few million dollars for initial feasibility studies to tens of millions for more extensive preclinical packages. This award suggests a commitment to a comprehensive preclinical evaluation phase.
What are the primary scientific risks associated with developing an mRNA vaccine for triple-negative breast cancer at the preclinical stage?
Key scientific risks in preclinical mRNA vaccine development for triple-negative breast cancer include: 1) Efficacy: Demonstrating that the vaccine can elicit a robust and protective immune response against cancer cells in preclinical models is a primary challenge. 2) Immunogenicity: Ensuring the vaccine is immunogenic without causing undue or harmful immune reactions. 3) Stability and Delivery: Developing a stable mRNA formulation and an effective delivery system (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) that can safely and efficiently reach target cells. 4) Biomarker Identification: Successfully identifying reliable intermediate endpoint biomarkers that correlate with vaccine efficacy. 5) Translation: The inherent risk that promising preclinical results may not translate into clinical success in human trials.
What is the significance of 'intermediate endpoint biomarkers' in this research contract?
Intermediate endpoint biomarkers are crucial in preclinical and early clinical research as they provide measurable indicators of a drug's or vaccine's activity or effect. In this context, identifying intermediate endpoint biomarkers for a triple-negative breast cancer mRNA vaccine means finding measurable biological signals that suggest the vaccine is working as intended, even before definitive outcomes like tumor shrinkage or long-term survival can be assessed. These biomarkers can help researchers determine if the vaccine is successfully engaging the immune system, modulating specific cellular pathways, or showing early signs of anti-cancer activity. Their identification can accelerate the research process by providing early validation and guiding further development decisions.
What historical spending patterns exist within the NIH for similar biotechnology research, specifically vaccine development for cancer?
The NIH is a major funder of biomedical research, including vaccine development for cancer. Historical spending patterns show a significant and increasing investment in cancer research and vaccine technologies, particularly with the advancements in mRNA platforms. While specific figures for 'preclinical mRNA vaccines for triple-negative breast cancer' are not readily available without deep database queries, the NIH consistently awards substantial grants and contracts to academic institutions and biotech companies for oncology and infectious disease vaccine research. This contract aligns with broader NIH priorities to combat cancer and advance innovative vaccine technologies.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)
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: TORFP 2024 E-01
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 865 RESEARCH PKWY, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 73104
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: $1,891,140
Exercised Options: $764,880
Current Obligation: $764,880
Actual Outlays: $437,072
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $693,916
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75N91024D00005
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-06-17
Current End Date: 2026-06-16
Potential End Date: 2026-06-16 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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