HHS awards $24.8M contract for RADx Innovation Funnel management to National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,789,517 ($24.8M)

Contractor: National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-02-01

End Date: 2025-01-31

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: RADX INNOVATION FUNNEL FOR COVID-19 - AWARD MANAGEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: HADLEY, HAMPSHIRE County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01035

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $24.8 million to NATIONAL COLLEGIATE INVENTORS & INNOVATORS ALLIANCE, INC. for work described as: RADX INNOVATION FUNNEL FOR COVID-19 - AWARD MANAGEMENT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on managing the RADx Innovation Funnel for COVID-19, indicating a critical role in public health response. 2. The award is a Delivery Order under an existing contract, suggesting a streamlined process and potentially pre-vetted capabilities. 3. A Firm Fixed Price contract type generally offers cost certainty for the government. 4. The duration of 730 days (2 years) provides a stable period for program execution. 5. The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health, a key agency within HHS. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541618 points to 'Other Management Consulting Services', defining the core service area.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without direct comparisons for the RADx Innovation Funnel management. However, the award amount of approximately $24.8 million over two years for specialized innovation funnel management suggests a reasonable investment for a critical public health initiative. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of services delivered and comparing them to similar program management contracts within NIH or other health agencies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized management consulting services. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through a wider pool of potential offerors and encouraging innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are researchers, innovators, and companies involved in developing COVID-19 diagnostic technologies, who receive support through the innovation funnel. The services delivered include management and operational support for the RADx Innovation Funnel, facilitating the progression of promising diagnostic projects. The geographic impact is national, supporting the development and deployment of COVID-19 diagnostics across the United States. Workforce implications may include the creation or sustainment of jobs within the contractor's organization and potentially within the innovation ecosystem supported by the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'innovation funnel management' is not tightly controlled.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical function could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring continued alignment with evolving public health needs and scientific advancements.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost predictability.
Managed by NIH, an experienced agency in health research and development.
The contract supports a critical public health initiative (RADx Innovation Funnel for COVID-19).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the management consulting services sector, specifically focused on supporting innovation and program management within the life sciences and public health domain. The RADx program itself represents a significant government investment in accelerating diagnostic development. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale program management contracts awarded by NIH or other federal agencies for similar R&D acceleration initiatives, though the specific focus on a diagnostic innovation funnel is unique.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) is false for this specific award. This suggests that the prime contractor is not a small business, and there is no explicit small business set-aside. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the nature of the services required, which are not detailed here. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely indirect, through potential support for small businesses developing diagnostics within the innovation funnel.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the awarding agency. Mechanisms likely include regular progress reports from the contractor, performance reviews, and contract officer representative (COR) oversight. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Contracts
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Programs
COVID-19 Diagnostic Development Initiatives
RADx Program
Management and Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor lacks specific expertise in managing complex R&D pipelines.
Risk of cost overruns if the scope of 'management' is not clearly defined and controlled.
Dependency on contractor's ability to adapt to evolving scientific and public health needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $24.8 million to NATIONAL COLLEGIATE INVENTORS & INNOVATORS ALLIANCE, INC.. RADX INNOVATION FUNNEL FOR COVID-19 - AWARD MANAGEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL COLLEGIATE INVENTORS & INNOVATORS ALLIANCE, INC..

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 $24.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-02-01. End: 2025-01-31.

What is the specific scope of 'RADx Innovation Funnel for COVID-19 - Award Management' services provided by National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance, Inc.?

The 'RADx Innovation Funnel for COVID-19 - Award Management' contract, awarded to National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance, Inc. (NCIA), focuses on the operational and management aspects of the NIH's RADx initiative. This likely involves facilitating the progression of promising COVID-19 diagnostic technologies through various stages of development, from initial concept to potential clinical validation and market readiness. Services could include project portfolio management, technical and business milestone tracking, coordination with external experts and reviewers, financial administration related to awards within the funnel, and ensuring adherence to program goals and timelines. The contract aims to streamline the process of identifying, evaluating, and supporting innovative diagnostic solutions to address the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring efficient resource allocation and timely advancement of critical technologies.

How does the $24.8 million award compare to other NIH contracts for similar program management services?

Directly comparing the $24.8 million award for 'RADx Innovation Funnel for COVID-19 - Award Management' to other NIH contracts for 'similar' program management services is challenging due to the specialized nature of the RADx initiative. However, NIH frequently awards large contracts for research support, program management, and scientific services. For instance, contracts supporting large research programs or managing complex grant portfolios can range from millions to tens of millions of dollars annually. The $24.8 million over two years ($12.4 million per year) for managing a critical innovation funnel suggests a significant but potentially proportionate investment, given the urgency and scale of the COVID-19 response. Benchmarking would require identifying contracts with comparable scope, duration, and complexity in managing R&D pipelines or public health innovation programs.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) likely used to evaluate the performance of National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance, Inc. under this contract?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract would likely focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of managing the RADx Innovation Funnel. Potential KPIs could include the number of diagnostic projects successfully advanced through each stage of the funnel per quarter, the average time taken for projects to move between funnel stages, the success rate of projects progressing to subsequent funding opportunities or validation phases, adherence to budget allocations for managed projects, and the timeliness of reporting and administrative tasks. Feedback from innovators and researchers participating in the funnel, as well as the overall contribution to the RADx program's objectives (e.g., increasing availability of diverse and accurate COVID-19 tests), would also be critical evaluation metrics.

What is the track record of National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance, Inc. in managing federal contracts, particularly within the health or R&D sectors?

Information on the specific track record of National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance, Inc. (NCIA) in managing federal contracts, especially within the health or R&D sectors, is not detailed in the provided data. However, their name suggests a focus on innovation and invention, which aligns with the nature of the RADx program. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their contract history, including past performance evaluations, types of services rendered, agencies served, and overall performance ratings on previous federal awards. Understanding their experience with similar large-scale program management or innovation support initiatives would be crucial for evaluating their capability to execute this contract successfully.

How has federal spending on COVID-19 diagnostic development evolved, and where does this contract fit within that trend?

Federal spending on COVID-19 diagnostic development surged significantly following the onset of the pandemic, driven by initiatives like the RADx program. This contract, valued at $24.8 million over two years for managing the innovation funnel, represents a component of this broader federal investment. The RADx program itself was a major undertaking by NIH, allocating substantial funds to accelerate the development, validation, and scaling of diagnostic tests. This specific award is for the crucial 'award management' aspect, ensuring that the pipeline of potential diagnostics is effectively managed and supported. It reflects a sustained commitment to maintaining and optimizing the development pipeline even as the pandemic's immediate crisis phase evolves, focusing on ongoing innovation and preparedness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 VENTURE WAY STE 8, HADLEY, MA, 01035

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,789,517

Exercised Options: $24,789,517

Current Obligation: $24,789,517

Actual Outlays: $24,789,517

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N92023D00001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline