NIH awards $2.03M for R&D support to University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,027,471 ($2.0M)
Contractor: University of Louisiana AT Lafayette
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2020-04-01
End Date: 2027-03-31
Contract Duration: 2,555 days
Daily Burn Rate: $794/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TASK ORDER 75N93020D00008/75N93020F00001: CORE ACTIVITIES: ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: LAFAYETTE, LAFAYETTE County, LOUISIANA, 70503
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.0 million to UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE for work described as: TASK ORDER 75N93020D00008/75N93020F00001: CORE ACTIVITIES: ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for administrative and technical support services. 2. Research and Development sector, specifically physical, engineering, and life sciences. 3. Full and open competition ensures broad market access. 4. Long duration (7 years) suggests a need for sustained support.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is 'COST NO FEE', indicating the government reimburses costs but pays no fee. This is common for research-oriented contracts where the exact costs are difficult to predict. Benchmarking is difficult without specific cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. The 'COST NO FEE' structure may limit direct price negotiation advantages.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are allocated for essential administrative and technical support for NIH research initiatives.
Public Impact
Supports critical research infrastructure at the National Institutes of Health. University of Louisiana at Lafayette will provide specialized support services. Long-term contract ensures continuity for ongoing research projects. Funding allocated for administrative and technical functions, not direct research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 79 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration may lead to cost inefficiencies if not managed closely.
- Lack of fee structure could impact contractor motivation for cost control.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports vital government research functions.
- Long-term commitment provides stability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement and innovation, with typical contracts varying widely based on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, which is not typically classified as a small business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting requirements in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a transparent process. The long duration necessitates ongoing oversight to ensure performance and cost-effectiveness.
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
- Long contract duration (7 years)
- Cost-reimbursable contract type without fee
- Potential for evolving support needs over contract term
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, la, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.0 million to UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE. TASK ORDER 75N93020D00008/75N93020F00001: CORE ACTIVITIES: ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE.
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 $2.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.
What specific administrative and technical support activities are included in this task order?
The task order focuses on 'CORE ACTIVITIES: ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT'. While not detailed here, this typically encompasses functions like project management, data management, logistical support, procurement assistance, and technical assistance related to research operations. Specifics would be found in the detailed SOW.
How does the 'COST NO FEE' structure impact the government's ability to control spending?
The 'COST NO FEE' structure means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs but pays no additional profit. This can simplify initial contract negotiation but requires robust oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and necessary. It may offer less incentive for aggressive cost reduction compared to fixed-price contracts.
What is the potential impact of the 7-year duration on the relevance of the support provided?
A 7-year duration suggests a need for stable, long-term support for ongoing research programs. However, it also poses a risk that the specific technical or administrative needs may evolve significantly over time. Regular reviews and potential modifications to the scope of work will be crucial to maintain relevance and efficiency.
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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: NIAIDDAIDSNIHAI201800011
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 104 E UNIVERSITY CIR 3RD FL, LAFAYETTE, LA, 70503
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,027,471
Exercised Options: $2,027,471
Current Obligation: $2,027,471
Actual Outlays: $1,416,029
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75N93020D00008
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-04-01
Current End Date: 2027-03-31
Potential End Date: 2027-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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