NIH awards $21.8M for Centralized Omics Resource (CORE) Year 5 to Baylor College of Medicine

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,804,968 ($21.8M)

Contractor: Baylor College of Medicine

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2020-09-25

End Date: 2025-09-24

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: CENTRALIZED OMICS RESOURCE (CORE) YEAR 5

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $21.8 million to BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE for work described as: CENTRALIZED OMICS RESOURCE (CORE) YEAR 5 Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in biomedical research infrastructure. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The duration of nearly five years indicates a long-term need for these services. 5. The awardee, Baylor College of Medicine, is a prominent research institution. 6. The contract falls under scientific testing laboratories and services, a critical support function for NIH research.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $21.8 million over five years for the Centralized Omics Resource (CORE) Year 5 appears reasonable given the scope of services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale omics data management and analysis contracts is challenging due to the specialized nature of CORE. However, the fixed-price contract type suggests that the government has negotiated a set price for the defined services, which is a positive indicator of value. The per-year cost averages around $4.36 million, which is within the expected range for comprehensive omics resource support for a major federal research agency like NIH.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 6 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this significant research support contract. A competitive process generally leads to better pricing and service offerings as contractors vie for the award. The government's ability to attract numerous bidders for specialized services like omics resource management is a positive sign for price discovery and overall value.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovation among bidders. This competitive environment helps prevent overpayment and ensures the government secures the best possible services for its investment.

Public Impact

Researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will benefit from access to advanced omics data management and analysis capabilities. The contract supports the delivery of critical infrastructure for large-scale biological data generation and interpretation. The geographic impact is national, as NIH-funded research projects span across the United States. The contract supports a specialized workforce in bioinformatics, data science, and molecular biology.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if CORE becomes the sole platform for critical omics data, making future transitions difficult.
Reliance on a single awardee for such a critical research resource could pose a risk if performance falters or if the contractor faces unforeseen challenges.
The long-term nature of the contract may limit opportunities for incorporating newer, potentially more cost-effective technologies or approaches introduced by competitors in the future.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable institution like Baylor College of Medicine suggests a high likelihood of successful performance and expertise.
The fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty and incentivizes the contractor to manage resources efficiently.
Full and open competition with multiple bidders indicates a strong market interest and a potentially robust solution.
The contract's focus on omics resources aligns with NIH's strategic goals for advancing biomedical research.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Scientific Research and Development services sector, specifically focusing on biological testing and laboratory services. The market for omics data management and analysis is rapidly growing, driven by advancements in high-throughput sequencing and other 'omics' technologies. Federal agencies like NIH are major consumers of these services to support their extensive research portfolios. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to pinpoint precisely due to the unique nature of centralized resource centers, but large federal grants for research infrastructure often run into tens of millions of dollars over several years.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded as a full and open competition and does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications mandated by a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Baylor College of Medicine, may engage small businesses for specialized services or supplies as part of their overall project execution. The absence of a set-aside means that large businesses were eligible to compete and potentially win the entire contract, which is typical for large, complex research infrastructure awards.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is primarily managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. Specific oversight mechanisms would likely include regular performance reviews, milestone tracking, and adherence to reporting requirements outlined in the contract. Accountability is ensured through the fixed-price nature of the contract and the potential for contract modifications or termination if performance standards are not met. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, although detailed operational data may be considered proprietary.

Related Government Programs

National Institutes of Health Research Grants
Biomedical Research Infrastructure Programs
Genomic Data Analysis Services
High-Throughput Biological Data Management

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration may limit adoption of future innovations.
Single awardee dependency for critical research infrastructure.
Potential for performance issues impacting research continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $21.8 million to BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. CENTRALIZED OMICS RESOURCE (CORE) YEAR 5

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE.

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 $21.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-25. End: 2025-09-24.

What is the historical spending pattern for the Centralized Omics Resource (CORE) program at NIH?

While specific historical spending for 'CORE Year 5' is detailed in this award, understanding the broader historical context requires examining previous years of the CORE program. Federal contract databases would typically show prior awards for CORE, potentially to the same or different contractors, detailing their value, duration, and scope. Analyzing these past awards would reveal trends in NIH's investment in centralized omics resources, including fluctuations in funding levels, changes in contract types, and shifts in the competitive landscape. For instance, if previous years saw significantly lower or higher annual spending, it could indicate evolving research needs, budget adjustments, or changes in the program's scale. Without access to the specific historical award data for CORE prior to Year 5, a precise trend analysis is not possible, but such data would be crucial for assessing the long-term commitment and evolution of this resource.

How does the cost per year of this contract compare to similar large-scale omics data management initiatives at other federal agencies?

Directly comparing the per-year cost of $4.36 million for the CORE program to similar initiatives at other federal agencies is challenging due to the unique scope and specific services offered by each program. Agencies like the Department of Energy (DOE) or the National Science Foundation (NSF) also fund large biological data initiatives, but their focus, scale, and service delivery models can differ significantly. For example, one agency might focus heavily on raw data storage, while another emphasizes advanced computational analysis or specific omics technologies (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics). The CORE program's specific blend of services, as managed by Baylor College of Medicine, dictates its cost. A comprehensive benchmark would require a detailed analysis of the service level agreements, technical capabilities, and user base of comparable programs across the federal government, which is beyond the scope of this single contract's data.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of the CORE program and Baylor College of Medicine's performance?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a contract like the Centralized Omics Resource (CORE) are typically defined within the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS). While not explicitly detailed in the provided data, common KPIs for such a service would likely include metrics related to data accessibility and uptime, data processing turnaround times, the number of researchers supported, the volume and types of omics data managed, data quality and integrity, and user satisfaction. Performance evaluations would assess Baylor College of Medicine's ability to meet or exceed these defined targets. Failure to meet critical KPIs could lead to contractual remedies, including financial penalties or, in severe cases, contract termination. The NIH contracting officer and technical representatives would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs throughout the contract's duration.

What is Baylor College of Medicine's track record with NIH and similar federal contracts, particularly in managing large-scale research data resources?

Baylor College of Medicine has a well-established track record as a leading research institution, frequently receiving significant funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies. Their extensive experience in biomedical research, including genomics and bioinformatics, positions them as a capable contractor for managing large-scale omics data resources. While this specific award is for CORE Year 5, Baylor's history with NIH likely includes numerous grants and contracts supporting various research projects and infrastructure. Their ability to secure this multi-year, multi-million dollar contract, especially through full and open competition, suggests a strong performance history and demonstrated expertise in the required scientific and technical domains. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal the scale and nature of their previous federal engagements.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for a critical national omics resource like CORE?

Relying on a single contractor, such as Baylor College of Medicine for the CORE program, presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of performance degradation; if the contractor's capabilities decline or they face internal challenges, the entire resource could be compromised, impacting numerous research projects. Secondly, a sole-source dependency can limit innovation. The government might miss out on advancements or cost efficiencies offered by competing technologies or service providers that could emerge if the market were more open. Thirdly, there's a risk related to knowledge transfer and continuity. If the contract is not renewed or is transferred to a new vendor, ensuring a smooth transition of knowledge, data, and operations can be complex and costly. Finally, while this contract was competed, its long duration could lead to a form of 'vendor lock-in' if the CORE platform becomes deeply integrated into the NIH research ecosystem.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 75N92020R0034

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: ONE BAYLOR PLAZA, HOUSTON, TX, 77030

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,804,968

Exercised Options: $21,804,968

Current Obligation: $21,804,968

Actual Outlays: $21,804,968

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $21,676,662

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN268201600033I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline