NIH Awards $4.58M to University of Mississippi Medical Center for Atherosclerosis Research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,581,060 ($4.6M)

Contractor: University of Mississippi Medical Center

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: $2.5K/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: JACKSON, HINDS County, MISSISSIPPI, 39216

State: Mississippi Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $4.6 million to UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER for work described as: THE ATHEROSCLEROSIS RISK IN COMMUNITIES (ARIC) STUDY - FIELD CENTER - TASK ORDER 01, TASK AREA A Key points: 1. This contract supports critical research into atherosclerosis, a major public health concern. 2. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, indicating ongoing program needs. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust price discovery process. 4. The sector is R&D, aligning with NIH's mission to advance medical knowledge.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract type is 'COST NO FEE', which is common for research and development. The total award amount is $4.58 million over five years. Without specific cost breakdowns or comparable contracts, a precise per-unit cost assessment is difficult, but the duration suggests a reasonable annual investment for this type of research.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically leads to competitive pricing. The use of a delivery order suggests that the base contract likely underwent a competitive process, and this order represents a specific task within that framework. This method generally ensures fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from research that could lead to better understanding and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, potentially reducing future healthcare costs.

Public Impact

Advances understanding of atherosclerosis, a leading cause of heart disease. Supports scientific research infrastructure in Mississippi. Potential for long-term public health benefits through improved disease prevention and treatment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed cost breakdown for specific research activities.
Potential for scope creep in long-term research projects.

Positive Signals

Supports a critical public health research area.
Awarded through full and open competition.
Long-term funding commitment for research continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area by agencies like NIH is substantial, focused on advancing scientific knowledge and developing new medical treatments. Benchmarks for similar R&D contracts vary widely based on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The awardee is the University of Mississippi Medical Center, a large institution. There is no explicit indication of small business subcontracting in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in supporting roles.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health, is responsible for overseeing this research grant. Standard grant reporting and review processes are expected to ensure accountability and proper use of funds.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration is long (5 years).
Awardee is a large institution, not a small business.
Research and Development contracts can have uncertain outcomes.
Specific cost details per research task are not provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $4.6 million to UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER. 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 UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER.

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 $4.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific research methodology and expected outcomes of this atherosclerosis study?

The provided data does not detail the specific research methodology or expected outcomes. The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study is a long-standing, multi-center epidemiological study. This task order likely supports field center activities related to data collection, participant follow-up, or specific experimental analyses within the broader ARIC framework. Detailed outcomes would be found in NIH research publications and the study's scientific reports.

How does the annual cost of this research compare to similar NIH-funded atherosclerosis studies?

The annual cost for this task order is approximately $916,212 ($4.58M / 5 years). Benchmarking this against similar NIH-funded atherosclerosis research requires access to detailed contract databases and specific project scopes. However, for a multi-year, multi-center epidemiological study component, this figure appears within a reasonable range, especially considering the 'COST NO FEE' contract type which often involves significant direct research expenses.

What are the potential long-term impacts on public health if this research is successful?

Successful research from the ARIC study, supported by this contract, can lead to a deeper understanding of the causes, progression, and risk factors of atherosclerosis. This knowledge can translate into more effective prevention strategies, earlier diagnostic tools, and improved treatment protocols for cardiovascular diseases, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality rates and lowering long-term healthcare burdens on the public.

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: 2500 N STATE ST, JACKSON, MS, 39216

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, Hospital, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,500,794

Exercised Options: $4,581,060

Current Obligation: $4,581,060

Actual Outlays: $3,202,737

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N92022D00004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline