NIH awards $24.5M for omics data analysis, focusing on precision medicine research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,477,069 ($24.5M)

Contractor: THE Broad Institute, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-09-23

End Date: 2026-09-22

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NHLBI TRANS-OMICS FOR PRECISION MEDICINE (TOPMED) FOR THE CENTRALIZED OMICS RESOURCE (CORE) - TASK AREAS 2, 3, AND 4 - 2024 TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02142

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $24.5 million to THE BROAD INSTITUTE, INC for work described as: NHLBI TRANS-OMICS FOR PRECISION MEDICINE (TOPMED) FOR THE CENTRALIZED OMICS RESOURCE (CORE) - TASK AREAS 2, 3, AND 4 - 2024 TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract supports a critical component of the TOPMED program, aiming to advance precision medicine. 2. The award leverages existing infrastructure and expertise for omics data processing. 3. Performance is tied to specific task areas, indicating a focused scope of work. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 5. The duration of the task order is two years, aligning with research project timelines. 6. The contractor, The Broad Institute, Inc., is a recognized leader in genomic research.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $24.5 million over two years for centralized omics resource management appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar large-scale omics data processing contracts is challenging due to the unique scope of the TOPMED program. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. The value is assessed in the context of supporting a significant national research initiative.

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 bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition process generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. This approach ensures that the government selects the most capable and cost-effective solution.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of providers to compete, potentially driving down costs and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

Researchers and scientists benefit from access to a centralized, high-quality omics data resource. The contract supports the generation and analysis of omics data crucial for understanding complex diseases. This initiative has broad implications for public health by advancing precision medicine. The project is based in Massachusetts, leveraging the strong biotech and research ecosystem there. The work contributes to a national effort to improve disease prevention and treatment strategies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if additional task areas are not clearly defined or managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical centralized resource could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

The Broad Institute's established expertise in omics and bioinformatics is a significant positive signal.
The firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs and manage budget predictability.
The task order is part of a larger, well-established NIH program (TOPMED), suggesting alignment with strategic goals.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the scientific research and testing services sector, specifically supporting advanced biological data analysis. The market for omics data processing and analysis is growing rapidly, driven by advancements in genomics and the increasing availability of large biological datasets. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the specialized nature of precision medicine research and the TOPMED program's unique goals. However, significant federal investment is directed towards biomedical research and data infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions. However, large research institutions like The Broad Institute often engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services or equipment, potentially creating opportunities within the broader research ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) program officials responsible for the TOPMED initiative. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency is generally maintained through public reporting of research findings and program updates. The specific Inspector General jurisdiction would typically be that of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Related Government Programs

NIH TOPMED Program
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Initiatives
Biomedical Data Science Research
Precision Medicine Research Grants

Risk Flags

Data Integrity Risk
Scalability of Infrastructure
Timeliness of Analysis Delivery
Interoperability of Diverse Datasets

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $24.5 million to THE BROAD INSTITUTE, INC. NHLBI TRANS-OMICS FOR PRECISION MEDICINE (TOPMED) FOR THE CENTRALIZED OMICS RESOURCE (CORE) - TASK AREAS 2, 3, AND 4 - 2024 TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BROAD INSTITUTE, 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 $24.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-23. End: 2026-09-22.

What is the historical spending pattern of the NIH on omics data analysis and precision medicine initiatives?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) consistently allocates substantial funding towards omics data analysis and precision medicine research, recognizing its critical role in advancing healthcare. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on appropriations and research priorities, federal spending in these areas has shown a steady upward trend over the past decade. Programs like the Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMED) initiative, of which this contract is a part, represent a significant investment. For instance, the NIH budget for fiscal year 2023 included billions allocated to institutes like the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which directly support such research. Historical data indicates a multi-million dollar annual expenditure specifically for large-scale omics data generation, processing, and analysis, with a growing emphasis on integrating diverse omics data types (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to gain a comprehensive understanding of disease mechanisms and identify personalized treatment strategies. This contract's $24.5 million value over two years aligns with the scale of funding typically seen for major components of such national research efforts.

How does the contractor's (The Broad Institute, Inc.) track record in similar large-scale bioinformatics projects influence the assessment of this contract's risk?

The Broad Institute, Inc. has a well-established and extensive track record in managing and executing large-scale bioinformatics and omics data projects, including significant contributions to national research initiatives. Their involvement in numerous high-profile genomics consortia and their development of widely used bioinformatics tools and platforms suggest a high level of technical expertise and project management capability. This strong background significantly mitigates risks associated with technical execution, data integrity, and scientific output. Given their deep experience with complex datasets and advanced analytical methodologies, the likelihood of encountering unforeseen technical hurdles or data quality issues is reduced. While any large project carries inherent risks, The Broad Institute's proven performance in similar complex environments provides a strong foundation for successful contract performance, making the risk profile for this specific contract relatively low from a technical and scientific execution standpoint.

Can the value of this $24.5 million contract be benchmarked against other federal contracts for similar omics data processing services?

Benchmarking the value of this $24.5 million contract for omics data processing against other federal contracts presents challenges due to the specialized and integrated nature of the TOPMED program's Centralized Omics Resource (CORE). This contract encompasses task areas 2, 3, and 4, implying a comprehensive scope that likely includes data generation, quality control, storage, and initial analysis pipelines for diverse omics data types. Federal contracts for more narrowly defined services, such as basic genomic sequencing or specific statistical analysis, might appear less expensive on a per-unit basis. However, when considering the full lifecycle management of large-scale, multi-omics datasets within a precision medicine framework, the $24.5 million over two years appears to be within a reasonable range for a leading research institution. The Broad Institute's established infrastructure and expertise contribute to the overall value proposition. Direct comparisons are difficult without detailed scope-of-work breakdowns for other federal omics contracts, but the scale and complexity suggest this award reflects the significant investment required for such a critical research resource.

What are the potential performance risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Potential performance risks for this contract include challenges in maintaining data quality and integrity across diverse omics datasets, ensuring timely delivery of analytical results, and managing the scalability of computational infrastructure to handle growing data volumes. Another risk could be the integration of data from various sources and ensuring interoperability. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust quality control protocols established by the NIH and The Broad Institute, adherence to strict data management plans, and the use of proven bioinformatics pipelines. The contractor's extensive experience in handling large omics datasets suggests established best practices are already in place. Furthermore, the task order structure with defined deliverables and the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provide clear performance expectations and financial incentives for timely and accurate completion. Regular progress reviews and communication between the NIH and the contractor are also crucial for identifying and addressing any emerging issues proactively.

How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness and goals of the NIH's Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMED) program?

This contract is integral to the effectiveness and success of the NIH's Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMED) program. The TOPMED program aims to generate large-scale, whole-genome sequencing data and associated clinical and environmental data from diverse populations to understand the genetic and environmental underpinnings of cardiovascular, pulmonary, and sleep (CPS) diseases. The Centralized Omics Resource (CORE) managed under this contract serves as a critical hub for processing, storing, and analyzing these vast and complex omics datasets. By ensuring high-quality, standardized omics data processing and providing analytical tools, this contract directly enables researchers to identify genetic variants, understand gene-environment interactions, and discover biomarkers associated with CPS diseases. The effectiveness of the entire TOPMED program hinges on the reliable and accurate management of its omics data, making the services provided under this contract foundational to achieving the program's goals of advancing precision medicine for these prevalent conditions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 75N92024R0272

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 415 MAIN ST, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02142

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: $24,910,369

Exercised Options: $24,477,069

Current Obligation: $24,477,069

Actual Outlays: $11,575,585

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N92023D00013

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline