HHS awards $50.5M for Innovation Funnel, contracting with National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $50,472,783 ($50.5M)
Contractor: National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2023-03-15
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,203 days
Daily Burn Rate: $42.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: INNOVATION FUNNEL FOR COVID19 - COMMERCIALIZATION CENTER
Place of Performance
Location: HADLEY, HAMPSHIRE County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01035
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $50.5 million to NATIONAL COLLEGIATE INVENTORS & INNOVATORS ALLIANCE, INC. for work described as: INNOVATION FUNNEL FOR COVID19 - COMMERCIALIZATION CENTER Key points: 1. Contract value of $50.5M over 3 years. 2. Competition method is Full and Open, suggesting broad market engagement. 3. Risk appears moderate given the contract duration and fixed-price structure. 4. Sector is Other Management Consulting Services, supporting innovation initiatives.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $50.5M for a 3-year period, with a fixed-price structure, appears reasonable for management consulting services supporting an innovation funnel. Benchmarking against similar large-scale innovation support contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offering.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is intended to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment for service providers.
Public Impact
Supports the development and commercialization of innovations, potentially leading to new health solutions. Engages a specific organization, National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance, Inc., to manage the innovation funnel. The contract duration of over 3 years suggests a long-term commitment to fostering innovation. Funding is allocated through the National Institutes of Health, a key agency for medical research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in innovation projects.
- Dependence on a single awardee for managing the innovation funnel.
- Measuring the tangible return on investment for innovation funding can be challenging.
Positive Signals
- Supports a critical area of health innovation.
- Utilizes a competitive procurement process.
- Fixed-price contract can help control costs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Other Management Consulting Services, specifically focused on managing an innovation funnel for COVID-19 related advancements. Benchmarks for similar large-scale innovation support contracts are difficult to establish due to the specialized nature of the work.
Small Business Impact
While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, there is no specific indication that small businesses were prime contractors or significantly involved as subcontractors in this particular award. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the National Institutes of Health. Oversight would focus on milestone achievement, adherence to the innovation funnel process, and effective utilization of funds to drive innovation.
Related Government Programs
- Other Management Consulting Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration is substantial.
- Scope of innovation projects can be unpredictable.
- Measuring ROI for innovation is inherently difficult.
- Reliance on a single entity for funnel management.
Tags
other-management-consulting-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, ma, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $50.5 million to NATIONAL COLLEGIATE INVENTORS & INNOVATORS ALLIANCE, INC.. INNOVATION FUNNEL FOR COVID19 - COMMERCIALIZATION CENTER
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 $50.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-03-15. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the expected impact of this innovation funnel on the development of new COVID-19 countermeasures?
The innovation funnel aims to accelerate the identification, development, and commercialization of promising COVID-19 related innovations. By providing structured support and resources, it is expected to streamline the path from concept to market-ready solutions, potentially leading to faster availability of new treatments, diagnostics, or preventative measures.
What are the primary risks associated with managing a large-scale innovation funnel contract?
Key risks include the difficulty in accurately predicting the success of early-stage innovations, potential for cost overruns if research proves more complex than anticipated, and challenges in ensuring equitable access to opportunities within the funnel. There's also a risk that the chosen management approach may not be agile enough to adapt to rapidly evolving scientific landscapes.
How will the effectiveness of the National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance's management be measured?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) related to the number of innovations successfully advanced through the funnel stages, the speed of development, the number of successful commercialization partnerships formed, and ultimately, the impact of resulting innovations on public health outcomes. Regular reporting and milestone reviews will be crucial.
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
Solicitation ID: 75N92023R0180
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: $50,472,783
Exercised Options: $50,472,783
Current Obligation: $50,472,783
Actual Outlays: $45,844,791
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75N92022D00013
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-03-15
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-05-06
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