ARIC Study Field Center contract awarded to University of Minnesota for $5M, supporting critical health research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,014,661 ($5.0M)

Contractor: Regents of the University of Minnesota

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-11-15

End Date: 2026-11-14

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: THE ATHEROSCLEROSIS RISK IN COMMUNITIES (ARIC) STUDY - FIELD CENTER - TASK ORDER 01, TASK AREA A

Place of Performance

Location: MINNEAPOLIS, HENNEPIN County, MINNESOTA, 55455

State: Minnesota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $5.0 million to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA for work described as: THE ATHEROSCLEROSIS RISK IN COMMUNITIES (ARIC) STUDY - FIELD CENTER - TASK ORDER 01, TASK AREA A Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through comparison to similar research support contracts. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, potentially driving competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low given the nature of research support services. 4. Performance context is within the established ARIC study, a long-term epidemiological research initiative. 5. Sector positioning is within the life sciences research and development domain.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $5 million over five years for research support services appears reasonable when benchmarked against similar contracts for large-scale epidemiological studies. The 'Cost No Fee' pricing structure suggests that the contractor will be reimbursed for allowable costs, which is standard for research grants and contracts. Further analysis would involve comparing the specific services provided and the overhead rates to similar institutions conducting NIH-funded research.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a robust process aimed at selecting the most qualified offeror at a fair price. This approach generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it fosters a competitive environment, which typically results in more cost-effective solutions and prevents potential price gouging.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are researchers and public health professionals who rely on the data and infrastructure provided by the ARIC study. Services delivered include essential field support for a major epidemiological study tracking cardiovascular disease risk factors. Geographic impact is centered in Minnesota, where the field center operates. Workforce implications include support for research staff and administrative personnel at the field center.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded to a reputable academic institution (University of Minnesota) with a track record in research.
Contract supports a long-standing, scientifically valuable research program (ARIC Study).
Utilizes a full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent procurement process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader sector of Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The specific NAICS code (541715) points to R&D in life sciences. The market for such services is characterized by academic institutions, research organizations, and specialized contract research organizations. Benchmarking would involve comparing this contract's value and scope to other large-scale, long-term epidemiological research support contracts funded by agencies like NIH.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. The University of Minnesota, as a large research institution, is likely to manage subcontracting opportunities, but there is no explicit information provided regarding a focus on small business subcontracting goals for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is primarily managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through contract officers and technical monitors. The 'Cost No Fee' structure requires diligent financial oversight to ensure that reimbursed costs are allowable and reasonable. Transparency is facilitated by the federal procurement data system, where contract details are publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Grants
Epidemiological Research Support Contracts
Life Sciences Research and Development

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $5.0 million to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA. THE ATHEROSCLEROSIS RISK IN COMMUNITIES (ARIC) STUDY - FIELD CENTER - TASK ORDER 01, TASK AREA A

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

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 $5.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-11-15. End: 2026-11-14.

What is the historical spending trend for the ARIC Study field center support?

Historical spending data for the ARIC Study field center support is not directly available in the provided snippet. However, the current contract awarded to the Regents of the University of Minnesota has a duration of 1825 days (5 years) and a value of $5,014,661. This suggests an average annual spending of approximately $1 million for this specific task order. To understand historical trends, one would need to access prior contract awards for the ARIC Study field center, potentially from the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or agency-specific databases. This would reveal if spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing over time and whether the same contractor has held awards previously.

How does the cost per participant or per data point compare to other similar epidemiological studies?

The provided data does not include specific metrics like cost per participant or cost per data point, making a direct comparison difficult. The contract value of $5,014,661 over five years is for 'Field Center - Task Order 01, Task Area A' supporting the ARIC study. To benchmark cost-effectiveness, one would need to know the number of participants managed by this field center, the volume of data collected, and the specific services rendered (e.g., participant recruitment, data collection, sample processing). Comparing these granular costs against similar large-scale, long-term epidemiological studies funded by NIH or other federal agencies would be necessary. Without these details, assessing the cost per unit is not feasible from the current information.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract and how is performance measured?

The provided contract data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this specific task order. However, for research support contracts of this nature, typical KPIs would likely revolve around the timely and accurate collection of data, adherence to study protocols, participant retention rates, and the quality of biological samples processed. Performance measurement would be conducted by the NIH Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or Technical Monitor, who would review progress reports, conduct site visits, and assess the contractor's ability to meet study milestones and objectives. The 'Cost No Fee' (Cost-Reimbursement) contract type implies that performance is closely tied to the efficient and effective use of funds to achieve research goals.

What is the contractor's track record with the NIH and similar federal agencies?

The contractor is identified as the 'Regents of the University of Minnesota.' As a major academic and research institution, the University of Minnesota has a well-established track record of receiving and managing federal grants and contracts, particularly from agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH). While specific details of their past performance on this exact study or similar contracts are not in the provided data, universities of this caliber typically have extensive experience in conducting federally funded research, adhering to compliance requirements, and managing large research projects. A deeper dive into their contract history with NIH would likely reveal a pattern of successful project execution and compliance.

Are there any identified risks associated with this contract, such as contractor performance issues or cost overruns?

Based on the limited information provided, there are no explicit risk flags or indications of performance issues or cost overruns associated with this contract. The contract is a 'Cost No Fee' type, which means the government reimburses allowable costs, and the contractor does not receive an additional fee. This structure, while common in research, requires careful monitoring of expenditures. The award was made under 'Full and Open Competition,' suggesting a competitive process that aims to mitigate risks by selecting a qualified contractor. The nature of the work (research support) is generally considered lower risk compared to complex system development or construction, but risks related to research integrity, data accuracy, and timely completion are always present and managed through contract oversight.

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

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 200 OAK ST SE # 224, MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 55455

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public)

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,080,313

Exercised Options: $5,014,661

Current Obligation: $5,014,661

Actual Outlays: $3,435,262

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N92022D00003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline