NIH funds Tulane University $6.6M for novel pneumonia vaccine research, aiming for advanced R&D

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,592,393 ($6.6M)

Contractor: THE Administrators of Tulane Educational Fund

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-09-23

End Date: 2027-03-06

Contract Duration: 1,625 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NOVEL MUCOSAL VACCINE APPROACHES FOR PNEUMONIA.

Place of Performance

Location: NEW ORLEANS, ORLEANS County, LOUISIANA, 70118

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $6.6 million to THE ADMINISTRATORS OF TULANE EDUCATIONAL FUND for work described as: NOVEL MUCOSAL VACCINE APPROACHES FOR PNEUMONIA. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on cutting-edge research and development in life sciences, specifically vaccine technology. 2. The award represents a significant investment in addressing respiratory illnesses through innovative approaches. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust selection process for the most promising research. 4. The contract duration of over 5 years indicates a long-term commitment to the research objectives. 5. Geographic focus on Louisiana highlights potential regional economic and scientific development impacts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.6 million for a 5-year R&D project appears reasonable given the specialized nature of vaccine development. Benchmarking against similar NIH grants for early-stage biomedical research suggests this funding level is within expected parameters. The 'Cost No Fee' contract type indicates that the government will reimburse allowable costs incurred by the contractor, which is standard for research grants where final costs can be uncertain.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple entities were likely solicited and had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to ensure the government receives the best value by fostering a competitive environment. The presence of 10 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this research area.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and ensuring that the most innovative and cost-effective solutions are selected.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are patients who may eventually benefit from a new pneumonia vaccine, improving public health outcomes. The research delivered will advance scientific understanding and technological capabilities in vaccine development. The geographic impact is centered in Louisiana, potentially fostering local scientific expertise and economic activity. Workforce implications include support for researchers, technicians, and administrative staff at Tulane University.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for research delays impacting the timeline for vaccine development.
Uncertainty in research outcomes inherent in R&D projects.
Reliance on specific scientific expertise which may be difficult to replace.

Positive Signals

Strong institutional backing from Tulane University, a reputable research institution.
Clear alignment with NIH's mission to advance health and reduce disease burden.
The project addresses a critical public health need for effective pneumonia prevention.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader biotechnology and life sciences sector, a rapidly growing area driven by advancements in biological understanding and technological innovation. The market for vaccine development is substantial, with significant government and private investment focused on infectious disease prevention. This specific contract targets a niche within R&D, focusing on novel mucosal vaccine approaches, which represents a frontier in immunology and delivery systems.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication of small business set-asides for this contract, as it is a research grant awarded to a large educational institution. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but could arise if specialized services or materials are required during the research phase. The primary impact is on the academic and research ecosystem rather than the small business contracting landscape.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through program officers and grant management specialists. Accountability measures are tied to research milestones and reporting requirements outlined in the grant agreement. Transparency is facilitated through public research publications and NIH's public databases, though specific day-to-day operational details may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Grants
Vaccine Development Programs
Biomedical Research Funding
Infectious Disease Research

Risk Flags

Research Uncertainty
Long Project Duration
Dependence on Specific Expertise

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $6.6 million to THE ADMINISTRATORS OF TULANE EDUCATIONAL FUND. NOVEL MUCOSAL VACCINE APPROACHES FOR PNEUMONIA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE ADMINISTRATORS OF TULANE EDUCATIONAL FUND.

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 $6.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-23. End: 2027-03-06.

What is the specific scientific approach being funded for the novel mucosal vaccine?

The contract aims to develop novel mucosal vaccine approaches for pneumonia. While the specific details of the 'novel' approach are proprietary to the research proposal, mucosal vaccines typically aim to induce immunity at the body's entry points (like the respiratory tract lining) rather than through systemic injection. This could involve intranasal sprays or other non-invasive delivery methods, potentially leading to more targeted and effective immune responses against pathogens entering through the airways. The research will likely explore new antigen formulations, adjuvant strategies, or delivery platforms to achieve this goal.

How does this contract's value compare to other pneumonia vaccine research grants?

Comparing the $6.6 million value requires context on the stage of research. For early-stage, fundamental research and development (as indicated by the NAICS code 541715), this funding level is substantial but not unusual for a multi-year project at a major research institution like Tulane. NIH funds a wide range of vaccine research, from basic discovery to clinical trials. Grants for preclinical development and early-stage research can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars over 3-5 years. Larger sums are typically reserved for later-stage clinical trials involving human subjects and extensive manufacturing scale-up.

What are the primary risks associated with this research and development contract?

The primary risks are inherent to research and development: scientific risk (the research may not yield the desired results or a viable vaccine), technical risk (challenges in developing and testing the novel approach), and timeline risk (research progress may be slower than anticipated, delaying potential breakthroughs). There's also the risk of funding reallocation or changes in research priorities within the funding agency, although this is less common for established grants. Furthermore, the complexity of immunology and the specific pathogen targets for pneumonia present significant biological hurdles that could impede progress.

What is the track record of The Administrators of Tulane Educational Fund in vaccine R&D?

The Administrators of Tulane Educational Fund, representing Tulane University, has a well-established track record in biomedical research, including infectious diseases and vaccine development. Tulane's School of Medicine and its research centers have been involved in numerous federally funded projects, including those related to public health challenges. While specific details on past pneumonia vaccine projects funded by NIH would require a deeper dive into their grant history, Tulane has demonstrated capacity in conducting complex biological research, managing large grants, and producing scientific publications, indicating a strong foundation for undertaking this new initiative.

How does this contract contribute to the broader NIH mission?

This contract directly aligns with the NIH's overarching mission to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and lessen the burdens of disease. Specifically, it supports the NIH's focus on infectious diseases and the development of countermeasures, such as vaccines, to prevent illness and improve public health. By funding innovative research into mucosal immunity and vaccine delivery, the NIH is investing in cutting-edge science that could lead to next-generation vaccines, addressing a critical unmet medical need for pneumonia prevention.

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: PHS-2021-1

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6823 SAINT CHARLES AVE, NEW ORLEANS, LA, 70118

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private)

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,524,335

Exercised Options: $6,592,393

Current Obligation: $6,592,393

Actual Outlays: $2,844,277

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline