NIH awards SRI International $1.2M for Animal Model Development and Efficacy Testing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,085,422 ($12.1M)

Contractor: SRI International

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-09-19

End Date: 2027-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,836 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ANIMAL MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND EFFICACY TESTING

Place of Performance

Location: MENLO PARK, SAN MATEO County, CALIFORNIA, 94025

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $12.1 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL for work described as: ANIMAL MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND EFFICACY TESTING Key points: 1. Contract awarded to SRI International for specialized research services. 2. Focus on animal model development and efficacy testing indicates a niche scientific need. 3. The contract duration of 5 years suggests a long-term research objective. 4. The Research and Development sector is characterized by innovation and high upfront costs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific pricing outcomes and whether the lowest price technically acceptable was achieved are not detailed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting critical research and development, with the potential for significant long-term health benefits, though the immediate return on investment is uncertain.

Public Impact

Supports advancement in medical research through animal model development. Potential for breakthroughs in understanding and treating diseases. Investment in scientific infrastructure and expertise within the US.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can be prone to cost escalation.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes precise value assessment challenging.
Efficacy testing can be subjective and results may not always translate to human trials.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Supports critical R&D in life sciences.
Long-term contract duration indicates sustained research effort.

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 innovation but often involves high risk and long lead times for tangible outcomes.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to SRI International, a large research organization. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a reputable agency with established oversight mechanisms for research grants and contracts. Further details on specific oversight activities would require deeper investigation.

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

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract structure.
Limited transparency on specific cost breakdowns.
Potential for animal models to not translate to human efficacy.
Long-term nature of R&D can delay immediate returns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $12.1 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL. ANIMAL MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND EFFICACY TESTING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SRI INTERNATIONAL.

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 $12.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-19. End: 2027-09-29.

What is the projected impact of this animal model development on future therapeutic advancements?

The projected impact hinges on the successful development of predictive animal models that accurately reflect human disease pathology. If achieved, these models can significantly accelerate drug discovery and efficacy testing, potentially leading to faster development of new treatments and a better understanding of disease mechanisms, ultimately benefiting public health.

What are the primary risks associated with the efficacy testing phase of this contract?

Key risks include the potential for animal models not accurately predicting human responses, leading to wasted resources. There's also the ethical consideration of animal use and the possibility of unforeseen biological complications. Furthermore, the interpretation of efficacy data can be subjective, requiring rigorous validation to ensure reliability and avoid misleading conclusions.

How does this investment align with broader NIH strategic goals for disease research?

This investment likely aligns with NIH's strategic goals by providing foundational research capabilities essential for tackling complex diseases. Developing robust animal models is a critical step in the translational research pipeline, enabling the study of disease progression and the testing of potential interventions. This supports the NIH's mission to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems.

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

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 333 RAVENSWOOD AVE, MENLO PARK, CA, 94025

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: $12,085,422

Exercised Options: $12,085,422

Current Obligation: $12,085,422

Actual Outlays: $6,277,375

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $6,701,126

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N93020D00011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline