Hutchinson Cancer Center awarded $10.2M for WHI Clinical Coordinating Center research through full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,225,386 ($10.2M)
Contractor: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2026-02-01
End Date: 2027-01-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $28.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: WOMEN'S HEALTH INITIATIVE (WHI) CLINICAL COORDINATING CENTER - TASK AREA A AND A2
Place of Performance
Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98109
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $10.2 million to FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER for work described as: WOMEN'S HEALTH INITIATIVE (WHI) CLINICAL COORDINATING CENTER - TASK AREA A AND A2 Key points: 1. The contract supports critical research in women's health, aligning with NIH's mission. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. The 'Cost No Fee' contract type indicates a focus on cost recovery rather than profit. 4. This award falls within the broad 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The 'Cost No Fee' contract type makes direct pricing comparisons difficult as it prioritizes cost reimbursement. Benchmarking is challenging without profit margins.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential women's health research, with competition aiming for efficient allocation.
Public Impact
Supports vital women's health research, potentially leading to improved health outcomes. The research conducted could inform public health policies and clinical guidelines. Long-term benefits include advancements in understanding and treating women's health conditions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract type 'Cost No Fee' limits profit potential, which could affect vendor engagement.
- Duration of 364 days is standard but may require extensions for complex research.
- Lack of specific small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a reputable cancer research center.
- Supports a critical area of public health research.
- Full and open competition promotes fairness and potential cost savings.
Sector Analysis
This award falls under the R&D sector, specifically life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for medical advancements and public health initiatives, often funded by agencies like NIH.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses (ss=false, sb=false). While the prime contractor is a large research institution, subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not detailed in this award notice.
Oversight & Accountability
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is responsible for oversight. The 'Cost No Fee' structure requires careful monitoring of expenditures to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep if research objectives evolve significantly.
- Reliance on a single coordinating center for critical national research.
- Limited visibility into subcontractor performance and small business utilization.
- The 'Cost No Fee' structure might disincentivize innovation if not managed carefully.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, wa, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $10.2 million to FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER. WOMEN'S HEALTH INITIATIVE (WHI) CLINICAL COORDINATING CENTER - TASK AREA A AND A2
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER.
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 $10.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-02-01. End: 2027-01-31.
What is the specific scope of work for Task Area A and A2 within the WHI Clinical Coordinating Center?
The specific scope for Task Area A and A2 is not detailed in the provided award notice. However, the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) generally focuses on the long-term health of postmenopausal women, investigating the effects of diet, hormone therapy, and calcium/vitamin D supplementation on major health outcomes like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis.
How will the 'Cost No Fee' structure impact the efficiency and quality of the research conducted?
The 'Cost No Fee' structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively, as they will be reimbursed for allowable costs but will not earn a profit. This can lead to efficient operations, but careful oversight is needed to ensure quality is not compromised in favor of cost-cutting. The focus remains on achieving research objectives within budget.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract to measure research effectiveness?
Key performance indicators are not explicitly stated in the award notice. However, effectiveness will likely be measured by the successful completion of research objectives, adherence to scientific protocols, timely data collection and analysis, and the dissemination of findings through publications and presentations, all contributing to the overall goals of the WHI program.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 75N92026R00018
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1100 FAIRVIEW AVE N, SEATTLE, WA, 98109
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: $20,634,996
Exercised Options: $10,225,386
Current Obligation: $10,225,386
Actual Outlays: $793,094
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75N92021D00001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-02-01
Current End Date: 2027-01-31
Potential End Date: 2028-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-29
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