NIH Awards $5.7M Contract for Bioinformatics Resource Centers to University of Pennsylvania

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,573,154 ($29.6M)

Contractor: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2019-09-15

End Date: 2024-09-14

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: PURPOSE: AWARD BASE CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,747,432 FOR THE SERVICE ENTITLE "BIOINFORMATICS RESOURCE CENTERS FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES."

Place of Performance

Location: PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19104

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $29.6 million to TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE for work described as: PURPOSE: AWARD BASE CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,747,432 FOR THE SERVICE ENTITLE "BIOINFORMATICS RESOURCE CENTERS FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES." Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical infectious disease research infrastructure. 2. University of Pennsylvania, a known entity in the field, is the awardee. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is 5 years, indicating a long-term need for these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5,747,432 over 5 years appears reasonable for specialized bioinformatics services. Benchmarking against similar NIH contracts for research support centers 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, which typically fosters competitive pricing and allows for the best value to be identified. The specific pricing discovery mechanisms within the solicitation are not detailed here.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing competitive pricing for essential research services.

Public Impact

Supports critical research into infectious diseases, potentially leading to public health advancements. Enhances the nation's capacity for biological data analysis and interpretation. Provides resources for researchers, fostering innovation and collaboration in the scientific community.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in long-term research support contracts.
Reliance on a single awardee for a critical resource center.

Positive Signals

Supports a vital area of public health research.
Awarded through a competitive process.
Long-term commitment to a critical research infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in Biotechnology sector. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing medical science and public health. Benchmarks for similar NIH bioinformatics contracts would be relevant for a detailed comparison.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard NIH oversight procedures for research support contracts would apply, including performance monitoring and financial accountability.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration is long (5 years).
Potential for single point of failure if awardee underperforms.
Specialized nature of services may limit future competition.
No explicit mention of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $29.6 million to TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE. PURPOSE: AWARD BASE CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,747,432 FOR THE SERVICE ENTITLE "BIOINFORMATICS RESOURCE CENTERS FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES."

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE.

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 $29.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-15. End: 2024-09-14.

What specific deliverables are expected from the Bioinformatics Resource Centers, and how will their performance be measured against these?

The contract likely outlines specific deliverables such as data management, analysis tools, user support, and training materials. Performance will be measured through metrics like user satisfaction, availability of resources, timely support, and successful project contributions. The NIH contracting officer's technical representative (COTR) would monitor adherence to these performance standards throughout the contract period.

What is the potential risk of vendor lock-in or lack of innovation given the 5-year duration and specialized nature of the services?

While a 5-year contract provides stability, the risk of vendor lock-in can be mitigated by clear performance expectations and regular reviews. The competitive award process should have selected a vendor capable of innovation. Continued engagement and potential for future competitive re-solicitation can incentivize ongoing development and prevent stagnation.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar bioinformatics support services provided by other federal agencies or academic institutions?

A direct cost comparison is difficult without specific details on the scope and services provided by other centers. However, the contract's value of approximately $1.15 million per year for a comprehensive resource center appears within a reasonable range for specialized scientific support. A detailed benchmark analysis against comparable NIH or NSF awards would be necessary for a definitive assessment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)

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: NIHAI201800005

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3451 WALNUT ST STE 440A, PHILADELPHIA, PA, 19104

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Hospital, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,267,611

Exercised Options: $29,573,154

Current Obligation: $29,573,154

Actual Outlays: $19,549,600

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 8

Total Subaward Amount: $5,605,871

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline