HHS awards $42.5M contract to National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance for RADx Innovation Funnel management

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $42,500,000 ($42.5M)

Contractor: National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-06-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $38.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

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 $42.5 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 strategic investment in pandemic preparedness and response. 2. The award is a Delivery Order under an existing contract, suggesting a streamlined process and potentially pre-vetted capabilities. 3. The contract duration of 1095 days (3 years) points to a medium-term commitment for program management services. 4. The Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541618 for Other Management Consulting Services aligns with the contract's objective. 6. The contract was awarded through Full and Open Competition, implying a broad search for qualified contractors.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $42.5 million over three years for managing an innovation funnel is substantial. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale innovation management contracts is difficult without more specific details on the scope of services. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to control costs. The award being a delivery order under a larger contract may indicate that pricing was established previously, potentially offering some level of established value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that the government sought proposals from all responsible sources. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings. The open competition suggests that multiple entities were capable of meeting the government's requirements for managing an innovation funnel.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and potentially lower prices.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely researchers, innovators, and small businesses involved in developing COVID-19 related technologies, who will receive support through the innovation funnel. The contract will deliver management and administrative services to facilitate the progression of innovations within the RADx program. The geographic impact is national, supporting the broader U.S. public health infrastructure and response capabilities. Workforce implications may include the creation of jobs within the contractor organization and indirectly supporting the innovation ecosystem.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'innovation funnel management' is not tightly defined.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical program management function could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring equitable access and opportunity for diverse innovators within the funnel management process.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost predictability.
The contract is a delivery order under an existing award, implying established processes and potentially a track record of performance.
Focus on a critical public health initiative (RADx Innovation Funnel for COVID-19).

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the management consulting services sector, specifically focused on program management for scientific and health innovation. The RADx program itself represents a significant government initiative to accelerate the development and commercialization of diagnostics. Spending in this area is crucial for national health security and preparedness, with comparable contracts often involving large sums for managing complex research and development pipelines.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) is false for this prime contract. This suggests that the primary award was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit indication of subcontracting goals for small businesses within this specific award notice. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist within the broader contract vehicle from which this delivery order was issued.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, and specifically the National Institutes of Health. The firm fixed-price nature provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting of program milestones and outcomes. The Inspector General of HHS would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any impropriety were suspected.

Related Government Programs

NIH RADx Program
COVID-19 Diagnostic Development
Management and Consulting Services
Federal Innovation Funding

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor lacks specific expertise in managing complex R&D pipelines.
Risk of the innovation landscape shifting, making some funded projects less relevant.
Ensuring equitable distribution and access to technologies emerging from the funnel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $42.5 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 $42.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the specific scope of services included in the 'RADx Innovation Funnel for COVID-19 - Award Management'?

The 'RADx Innovation Funnel for COVID-19 - Award Management' contract, awarded to National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance, Inc., likely encompasses a range of services aimed at facilitating the progression of COVID-19 related innovations. This could include administrative support for awardees, milestone tracking, financial management of sub-awards or grants, technical assistance coordination, and ensuring compliance with program objectives. The 'funnel' metaphor suggests managing projects from early-stage ideation through development, testing, and potential commercialization or deployment. The specific details would be outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) associated with the Delivery Order, which is not publicly available in this data snippet. The firm fixed-price nature implies that the contractor is responsible for delivering these defined management services within the agreed-upon budget.

How does the $42.5 million award compare to other federal contracts for innovation funnel management?

Directly comparing the $42.5 million award for 'RADx Innovation Funnel for COVID-19 - Award Management' to other federal innovation funnel management contracts is challenging without a standardized definition and scope across all such contracts. Federal agencies utilize various mechanisms, including grants, cooperative agreements, and management support contracts, to foster innovation. The RADx program is a large-scale, rapid response initiative, which may command higher funding than typical, smaller-scale innovation support programs. However, the value is substantial and reflects the critical nature and broad scope of managing a national-level innovation pipeline during a pandemic. Benchmarking would ideally involve comparing it to other large NIH or other agency programs focused on accelerating technology development in response to major health threats.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) expected for this contract?

While specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided data, contracts for managing innovation funnels typically focus on metrics related to the efficiency and effectiveness of the process. Expected KPIs could include the number of innovations entering and progressing through the funnel stages, the time taken for innovations to move between stages, the success rate of innovations reaching defined milestones (e.g., prototype development, clinical validation, regulatory submission), the number of successful technology transfers or commercialization partnerships facilitated, and potentially the diversity of participants or innovations supported. The government would likely establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals within the contract's Statement of Work to evaluate the contractor's performance.

What is the track record of National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in health innovation management?

Information regarding the specific track record of National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance, Inc. (NCIA) with federal contracts, especially in health innovation management, is not detailed in the provided data. NCIA is known for its role in fostering innovation among students and universities. To assess their track record for this specific $42.5 million contract, one would need to examine their past performance on similar government contracts, including their ability to manage large-scale programs, handle financial administration, and meet performance objectives. Databases like SAM.gov or FPDS might provide historical contract awards and performance information, which would be crucial for a thorough assessment of their suitability and past success in managing complex innovation pipelines.

What are the potential risks associated with managing a COVID-19 innovation funnel, and how might they be mitigated?

Managing a COVID-19 innovation funnel presents several risks. These include the rapidly evolving nature of the virus and scientific understanding, which can render certain innovations obsolete; the high failure rate inherent in R&D; potential for fraud or misuse of funds; challenges in scaling up promising technologies quickly; and ensuring equitable access to innovations. Mitigation strategies could involve adaptive management approaches that allow for flexibility in program goals, rigorous vetting processes for innovations and awardees, robust financial controls and audits, strong partnerships with industry and regulatory bodies to facilitate scaling, and clear criteria for ensuring broad benefit and accessibility. The contractor's role would be critical in identifying, assessing, and helping to manage these risks throughout the funnel process.

How does this contract contribute to the broader goals of the NIH RADx program?

This contract is integral to the broader goals of the NIH RADx (Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics) program, which aims to speed the development, manufacturing, and distribution of innovative diagnostic tests for COVID-19. The 'Innovation Funnel' managed under this contract serves as the pipeline for identifying, evaluating, and advancing promising diagnostic technologies. By providing dedicated management and administrative support, the contract ensures that the funnel operates efficiently, allowing promising ideas to move forward effectively. This directly supports RADx's mission to translate scientific breakthroughs into accessible diagnostic tools, thereby enhancing the nation's ability to detect, treat, and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and future infectious diseases.

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: 75N92023R0193

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: $42,500,000

Exercised Options: $42,500,000

Current Obligation: $42,500,000

Actual Outlays: $42,361,111

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