NIH awards $5.3M for Strong Heart Study Field Center, extending research through 2027
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,311,381 ($5.3M)
Contractor: University of Oklahoma
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2019-02-15
End Date: 2027-02-14
Contract Duration: 2,921 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: STRONG HEART STUDY (SHS)- FIELD CENTER (FC)- TASK ORDER 001
Place of Performance
Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA County, OKLAHOMA, 73104
State: Oklahoma Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $5.3 million to UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA for work described as: STRONG HEART STUDY (SHS)- FIELD CENTER (FC)- TASK ORDER 001 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a multi-year research support task order. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Research and Development sector, specifically life sciences, is a key area for federal investment. 4. The contract duration of nearly 8 years indicates a long-term research commitment. 5. Performance is tied to the National Institutes of Health's mission to improve health. 6. The task order is part of a larger, established research program.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $5.31 million over approximately 8 years for a field center supporting a major epidemiological study appears to be within a reasonable range for such services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale, long-term research support contracts managed by NIH would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type suggests that the government reimburses allowable costs incurred by the contractor, which can be cost-effective if managed well, but requires robust oversight to prevent cost overruns.
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 specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which is expected to lead to better pricing and service quality. The open competition suggests that the University of Oklahoma was selected based on the best value proposition offered.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings and ensures that the government receives competitive pricing through a wide range of offers.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are researchers and public health officials who will utilize the data and findings from the Strong Heart Study. The contract supports the operational needs of a field center for a significant epidemiological study on cardiovascular health in American Indian populations. The geographic impact is focused on the areas where the Strong Heart Study collects data, primarily in Oklahoma and other designated regions. The contract supports research personnel and administrative staff at the University of Oklahoma, contributing to the local research workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost creep under a 'COST NO FEE' contract if not closely monitored.
- Dependence on a single contractor for a critical, long-term research function.
- Ensuring consistent data quality and research integrity over the extended contract period.
Positive Signals
- Award to a known entity (University of Oklahoma) with established research capabilities.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
- Long contract duration allows for continuity in critical research efforts.
- Alignment with a significant, long-standing public health research initiative.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences. The market for large-scale epidemiological studies and their supporting field operations is specialized, often involving academic institutions and research organizations with proven track records. Federal spending in this area is driven by the need to understand and address complex health issues, with NIH being a primary funder. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large cohort studies or field research support contracts within NIH and other health-focused agencies.
Small Business Impact
The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the nature of the work (field center support for a large research study) and the awardee (University of Oklahoma), it is likely that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would be minimal or project-specific, rather than a primary focus of the contract's structure.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the relevant program and contracting officers. As a 'COST NO FEE' contract, rigorous financial oversight is crucial to ensure that only allowable costs are reimbursed and that the project remains within budget. Transparency is facilitated through standard government reporting requirements and the public nature of research findings, although specific operational details may be proprietary.
Related Government Programs
- Strong Heart Study
- National Institutes of Health Research Grants
- Epidemiological Research Support
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or changing requirements.
- Cost-reimbursement contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
- Potential for personnel turnover impacting long-term project continuity.
Tags
research-and-development, health-and-human-services, national-institutes-of-health, university-of-oklahoma, cost-no-fee, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition, epidemiology, cardiovascular-disease, oklahoma, long-term-research
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $5.3 million to UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA. STRONG HEART STUDY (SHS)- FIELD CENTER (FC)- TASK ORDER 001
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 $5.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-02-15. End: 2027-02-14.
What is the historical spending trend for the Strong Heart Study Field Center contract?
The provided data represents a single task order valued at $5.31 million with an end date in 2027. To assess historical spending trends, one would need to examine previous task orders or contracts awarded for the Strong Heart Study Field Center. Without access to that historical data, it's impossible to determine if this $5.31 million award represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of spending compared to prior periods. Analyzing the duration and value of previous awards would reveal patterns in NIH's investment in this specific field center and help understand the long-term financial commitment to the study.
How does the University of Oklahoma's track record compare to other potential contractors for similar research support?
The University of Oklahoma, as a large research institution, likely has a strong track record in managing and supporting complex research projects, including epidemiological studies. Its established infrastructure, experienced personnel, and prior involvement in research make it a competitive bidder. A comprehensive assessment would require comparing its performance metrics, such as successful completion of previous projects, adherence to timelines and budgets, and quality of research support, against other academic institutions or specialized research organizations that may have bid on or been awarded similar contracts. The 'full and open competition' suggests that NIH evaluated multiple entities, implying that other qualified organizations were considered.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is performance being measured?
While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, contracts for research support typically include metrics related to data collection accuracy and completeness, adherence to study protocols, timely reporting of findings, participant recruitment and retention rates, and effective management of field operations. Performance is likely measured through regular progress reports submitted by the University of Oklahoma, site visits by NIH program officials, and potentially independent data quality audits. The 'COST NO FEE' structure implies that performance directly impacts the reimbursement of costs, incentivizing the contractor to meet or exceed agreed-upon performance standards to ensure continued funding.
What is the risk associated with the long duration of this contract (nearly 8 years)?
The long duration of this contract (2921 days, approximately 8 years) presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of scope creep or changes in research objectives over such an extended period, which could necessitate contract modifications and potentially increase costs. Secondly, maintaining consistent data quality and research integrity over many years requires robust quality control measures and adaptability to evolving scientific standards. Thirdly, personnel turnover at the contractor site could impact institutional knowledge and operational efficiency. Finally, long-term funding commitments can be subject to shifts in federal budget priorities or scientific focus, although this is less of a risk for established, high-priority studies like the Strong Heart Study.
How does this contract align with the National Institutes of Health's strategic research priorities?
This contract directly aligns with the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) strategic priorities, particularly those related to understanding and preventing chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease. The Strong Heart Study is a cornerstone epidemiological study focusing on cardiovascular health disparities in American Indian populations, a key area of public health concern. By funding the field center operations, NIH is supporting the collection of critical data that informs public health interventions, policy development, and further research aimed at reducing the burden of heart disease in underserved communities. This aligns with NIH's broader mission to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and prevent disease.
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: HHSN26818HV00002R
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 865 RESEARCH PKWY STE 530, 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: $5,311,381
Exercised Options: $5,311,381
Current Obligation: $5,311,381
Actual Outlays: $2,438,657
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $85,372
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75N92019D00028
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-02-15
Current End Date: 2027-02-14
Potential End Date: 2027-02-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-30
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