NIH awards $5.3M for RadX administrative support, highlighting need for coordination in biomedical imaging research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,328,658 ($5.3M)
Contractor: THE General Hospital Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2022-12-16
End Date: 2026-08-31
Contract Duration: 1,354 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL IMAGING AND BIOENGINEERING (NIBIB) RADX ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT - COORDINATION CENTER
Place of Performance
Location: SOMERVILLE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02145
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $5.3 million to THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION for work described as: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL IMAGING AND BIOENGINEERING (NIBIB) RADX ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT - COORDINATION CENTER Key points: 1. Contract supports the NIH's National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) RadX program. 2. Administrative support is crucial for coordinating complex research initiatives like RadX. 3. The contract's firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the government. 4. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term need for these services. 5. The awardee, The General Hospital Corporation, is a significant healthcare provider in Massachusetts. 6. This contract falls under consulting services for process, physical distribution, and logistics.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $5.3M over approximately 3 years appears reasonable for specialized administrative and coordination support for a large-scale research program. Benchmarking against similar administrative support contracts for federal research initiatives would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests an expectation of predictable costs. The awardee's status as a major hospital corporation may indicate efficient operational capabilities.
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 competitive process is expected to drive favorable pricing and ensure the government receives the best value. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation is a positive indicator of a robust competition.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and higher quality services, maximizing the return on public investment.
Public Impact
Researchers and staff involved in the NIBIB RadX program will benefit from streamlined administrative support. The contract facilitates the coordination of complex biomedical imaging research projects. The geographic impact is primarily within Massachusetts, where the awardee is located, but the research supported is national. The contract supports the operational efficiency of a key federal research agency, indirectly benefiting the scientific community and public health.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for administrative inefficiencies if coordination is not expertly managed.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical administrative functions.
- Scope creep could lead to cost overruns if not carefully monitored.
Positive Signals
- Awardee's established presence in healthcare administration suggests operational competence.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive pricing structure.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on administrative and logistical support for biomedical research. The market for such services is competitive, with many firms offering specialized support to government agencies and research institutions. The total federal spending on management and financial consulting services (NAICS 541614) is substantial, and this contract represents a small but critical component supporting a specific NIH initiative.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The focus appears to be on securing specialized administrative support, and the impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless subcontracting opportunities arise.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within NIBIB. The firm-fixed-price contract structure provides a degree of financial oversight by fixing the total cost. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Grants
- Biomedical Research Support Services
- Federal Administrative Support Contracts
- National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration exceeds 3 years, requiring careful monitoring of performance and potential for scope creep.
- Awardee's primary expertise may be in healthcare operations rather than specialized federal research administration, requiring close oversight.
- Lack of specific performance metrics or KPIs in the provided data necessitates further investigation into contract terms.
Tags
healthcare, biomedical-research, administrative-support, consulting-services, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, department-of-health-and-human-services, national-institutes-of-health, massachusetts, delivery-order, research-coordination
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $5.3 million to THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL IMAGING AND BIOENGINEERING (NIBIB) RADX ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT - COORDINATION CENTER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION.
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 $5.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-12-16. End: 2026-08-31.
What is the specific role of the RadX Administrative Support Coordination Center?
The RadX Administrative Support Coordination Center plays a vital role in facilitating and managing the administrative and logistical aspects of the NIH's Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RadX) initiative. This includes tasks such as coordinating communication among research teams, managing data flow, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, processing financial documentation, and providing overall organizational support to keep the complex research program running smoothly. Effective coordination is essential for the timely advancement of diagnostic technologies and their implementation.
How does the firm-fixed-price contract structure benefit the government in this context?
A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract structure benefits the government by establishing a ceiling price that will not be increased except in unusual circumstances. This provides cost certainty and predictability for the NIH's budget concerning this administrative support service. The contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns, incentivizing them to manage resources efficiently. For services like administrative support, where the scope of work is generally well-defined, an FFP contract is often preferred to control expenditures and ensure value for taxpayer money.
What is the significance of the awardee, The General Hospital Corporation, in relation to this contract?
The General Hospital Corporation, based in Massachusetts, is a large healthcare provider. Its selection for this administrative support contract suggests that the NIH values the organization's experience in managing complex operations, potentially including research administration, within a healthcare setting. This background may equip them with the necessary expertise in logistics, process management, and coordination relevant to supporting a large-scale biomedical research initiative like RadX. Their established infrastructure could also contribute to efficient service delivery.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for this administrative support?
Relying on a single contractor for critical administrative support carries several potential risks. Firstly, there's a risk of vendor lock-in, making it difficult and costly to switch providers if performance issues arise. Secondly, if the contractor experiences financial instability or operational disruptions, it could directly impact the continuity of the RadX program's administrative functions. Thirdly, a lack of ongoing competition might reduce the incentive for the contractor to continuously improve service quality or efficiency over the contract's duration. Robust performance monitoring and contingency planning are crucial to mitigate these risks.
How does this contract contribute to the broader goals of the NIBIB RadX program?
This contract is fundamental to the successful execution of the NIBIB RadX program's goals. The RadX initiative aims to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative diagnostic technologies. Effective administrative support and coordination are essential for managing the diverse research projects, ensuring data integrity, facilitating collaboration among researchers, and navigating the regulatory landscape. By providing these crucial backend services, the contract enables the scientific and technical teams to focus on their core research objectives, ultimately speeding up the translation of research into clinical practice.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics 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: 75N92023R0163
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Mass General Brigham Incorporated
Address: 55 FRUIT ST, BOSTON, MA, 02114
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Hospital, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,328,658
Exercised Options: $5,328,658
Current Obligation: $5,328,658
Actual Outlays: $4,460,503
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75N92022D00014
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-12-16
Current End Date: 2026-08-31
Potential End Date: 2026-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-13
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