NIH awards $941,815 task order for nonhuman primate maintenance, extending services through March 2027

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $941,815 ($941.8K)

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: $369/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TASK ORDER 75N93020D00006/75N93020F00002: MAINTENANCE OF NONHUMAN PRIMATES IN AN ABSL2/3 FACILITY

Place of Performance

Location: LAFAYETTE, LAFAYETTE County, LOUISIANA, 70503

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $941,815 to UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE for work described as: TASK ORDER 75N93020D00006/75N93020F00002: MAINTENANCE OF NONHUMAN PRIMATES IN AN ABSL2/3 FACILITY Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in specialized animal care services. 2. Competition dynamics for this type of specialized research support warrant further examination. 3. Performance risk is moderate given the specialized nature of animal husbandry and facility maintenance. 4. The contract duration of nearly seven years suggests a long-term need for these services. 5. This spending falls within the broader Research and Development sector, specifically life sciences. 6. The cost-plus-no-fee contract type indicates that direct costs are reimbursed, but no fee is paid to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific task order is challenging due to its specialized nature and the lack of readily available comparable contract data for nonhuman primate maintenance in ABSL2/3 facilities. The Cost No Fee (CNF) contract type means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs but does not pay an additional fee. This structure is often used when the contractor is a non-profit or educational institution, and the primary goal is to facilitate research rather than generate profit. Without detailed cost breakdowns and performance metrics, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple interested parties had the opportunity to bid. However, the specific number of bidders is not provided, which limits the assessment of the competitive landscape. For highly specialized services like maintaining nonhuman primates in advanced biosafety facilities, the pool of qualified bidders may be inherently small, even under full and open competition. This could influence price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs than if a broader range of competitors were involved.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of offers, potentially leading to better pricing. However, the specialized nature of the service might mean that even with open competition, the number of viable bids is limited, impacting the extent of cost savings realized.

Public Impact

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health benefit from the continued availability of essential animal models for their studies. The contract ensures the provision of specialized care and maintenance for nonhuman primates, crucial for biomedical research. The geographic impact is primarily within Louisiana, where the contractor is located, but the research supported has national implications. The contract supports a specialized workforce skilled in animal husbandry, veterinary care, and biosafety protocols.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if direct costs are not meticulously managed and audited under the CNF structure.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical and specialized service could pose continuity risks if performance issues arise.
Limited transparency into the specific cost drivers without detailed financial reporting requirements.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process was initiated.
The long-term nature of the contract (nearly 7 years) indicates a stable and ongoing need, potentially leading to efficiencies through sustained operations.
The contractor, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, is an established institution, suggesting a degree of reliability and commitment to the service.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences. The market for specialized animal care and facility maintenance is niche, often dominated by academic institutions and specialized contract research organizations (CROs). Spending in this area is critical for advancing biomedical research, particularly in areas requiring complex animal models. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique requirements of ABSL2/3 facilities and nonhuman primate care.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any small business set-aside provisions, nor is the contractor identified as a small business. Given the specialized nature of maintaining nonhuman primates in high-containment facilities, it is unlikely that small businesses would be primary bidders or subcontractors unless they possess highly specific expertise. The absence of small business participation suggests that larger institutions or specialized firms are better positioned to fulfill these requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) contracting officer and program officials. Performance monitoring, adherence to facility standards, and financial accountability are key oversight areas. The Cost No Fee structure necessitates careful review of incurred costs to ensure reasonableness and allowability. While specific Inspector General (IG) involvement is not detailed, NIH's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has broad jurisdiction over federal spending and could investigate any reported irregularities.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Services
Animal Care and Use Programs
Biomedical Research Support Contracts
Biosafety Level Facilities Maintenance

Risk Flags

Cost Control Risk (CNF Contract Type)
Specialized Service Dependency
Limited Competition Pool

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $941,815 to UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE. TASK ORDER 75N93020D00006/75N93020F00002: MAINTENANCE OF NONHUMAN PRIMATES IN AN ABSL2/3 FACILITY

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 $941,815.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for nonhuman primate maintenance services at NIH?

Historical spending on nonhuman primate maintenance at NIH can vary significantly based on the specific research needs, the number of animals housed, and the complexity of the facilities. NIH, as a major biomedical research institution, consistently allocates substantial resources to animal care. Task orders for such services are often awarded through competitive processes, with durations and values fluctuating based on program requirements. Analyzing past contracts for similar services, even if not identical, can reveal trends in pricing, contractor performance, and the overall investment in animal models. Without access to a comprehensive database of all past NIH contracts for primate maintenance, a precise historical spending figure is difficult to ascertain, but it is understood to be a significant and ongoing expenditure critical to the agency's research mission.

How does the cost of maintaining nonhuman primates in ABSL2/3 facilities compare to other animal models or research support services?

Maintaining nonhuman primates, especially in advanced biosafety facilities like ABSL2/3, is considerably more expensive than housing rodents or other common laboratory animals. This is due to the higher costs associated with specialized housing, enriched environments, veterinary care, specialized diets, waste management, and stringent biosecurity protocols required for these species and containment levels. Furthermore, the personnel involved require specialized training and higher salaries. When compared to other research support services, such as basic laboratory equipment maintenance or general administrative support, primate maintenance represents a high-cost, high-value component of biomedical research, directly enabling studies that cannot be replicated with simpler models.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) typically used to evaluate contractors providing nonhuman primate maintenance?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for nonhuman primate maintenance contracts typically focus on animal welfare, facility compliance, and operational efficiency. These often include metrics such as adherence to veterinary care schedules, animal health status (e.g., incidence of disease), cleanliness and maintenance of enclosures and common areas, proper functioning of life support systems (HVAC, water), compliance with all federal regulations (e.g., Animal Welfare Act, PHS Policy), timely response to facility issues, and accurate record-keeping. For ABSL2/3 facilities, specific KPIs related to biosafety protocols and containment integrity are also critical. Contractor performance is usually assessed through regular site visits, review of logs and reports, and feedback from the scientific staff utilizing the animals.

What is the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's track record in managing federal contracts, particularly those involving animal care?

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) has a history of receiving federal funding and managing contracts, often related to research and development activities. As an academic institution, its primary focus is on research and education, and managing contracts is a function to support these missions. Information regarding UL Lafayette's specific track record with federal contracts, particularly those involving the complex and regulated area of nonhuman primate maintenance in high-containment facilities, would typically be available through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. Assessing their performance would involve reviewing past contract awards, any reported issues, contract close-outs, and potentially any past performance evaluations. Their experience in managing similar, albeit perhaps less specialized, animal care contracts would be a relevant indicator of their capability.

Are there any specific risks associated with the Cost No Fee (CNF) contract type for this service?

The Cost No Fee (CNF) contract type, while often used with non-profit or educational institutions to facilitate research, does carry specific risks. The primary risk for the government is ensuring that the contractor's costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable, as the government reimburses these direct costs without an additional profit margin. This requires robust government oversight and auditing of the contractor's financial records and expenditures. Without adequate controls and monitoring, there is a potential for inflated costs or inefficient resource utilization, as the contractor may have less direct financial incentive to control costs compared to a fixed-price contract. However, the 'no fee' aspect can sometimes lead to lower overall contract values compared to contracts that include profit.

What are the implications of a nearly seven-year contract duration for NIH's research planning and budget?

A contract duration of nearly seven years (2555 days) provides significant stability and predictability for NIH's research planning and budgeting related to nonhuman primate maintenance. This long-term commitment allows researchers to rely on the consistent availability of essential animal models and facilities, facilitating the planning of multi-year research projects. For budgeting purposes, it enables more accurate forecasting of expenditures for this critical support service. It also allows the contractor to make necessary investments in facilities, equipment, and personnel, potentially leading to greater efficiency and expertise over the contract's life. However, it also means that NIH is committed to this specific service provider and facility setup for an extended period, potentially limiting flexibility if research priorities shift dramatically or if a more cost-effective alternative emerges.

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: $941,815

Exercised Options: $941,815

Current Obligation: $941,815

Actual Outlays: $877,238

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