HHS awards $8.5M contract for NHP breeding colony to University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,535,393 ($8.5M)

Contractor: University of Louisiana AT Lafayette

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-03-16

End Date: 2027-03-15

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: NHP BREEDING COLONY FOR VACCINE RESEARCH CENTER (VRC)

Place of Performance

Location: NEW IBERIA, IBERIA County, LOUISIANA, 70560

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $8.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE for work described as: NHP BREEDING COLONY FOR VACCINE RESEARCH CENTER (VRC) Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential non-human primate breeding colony services. 2. University of Louisiana at Lafayette selected for this critical research support. 3. Contract duration extends through March 2027, ensuring continuity. 4. Services support vaccine research and development at NIH. 5. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.5 million over approximately four years appears reasonable for specialized non-human primate breeding services supporting critical research. Benchmarking against similar contracts for NHP colonies is challenging due to the highly specialized nature of the work and specific research requirements. However, the fixed-price contract type suggests an effort to establish clear cost expectations. The awarded amount is within the expected range for such a specialized service, especially considering the long-term commitment required for breeding programs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the full and open nature suggests a competitive process was intended to yield the best value. This approach typically allows for a wider range of potential contractors to participate, fostering a more robust price discovery mechanism.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and ensures that the government explores all available options to secure the best value for public funds.

Public Impact

Benefits the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by ensuring a reliable supply of non-human primates for vaccine research. Supports the development of new vaccines and medical countermeasures. Geographic impact is primarily within Louisiana, where the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is located. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for researchers, animal care specialists, and support staff at the university.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions impacting critical research timelines.
Reliance on a single contractor for a specialized and essential service.
Long-term sustainability of NHP breeding programs can be complex.

Positive Signals

University of Louisiana at Lafayette has a track record in research support.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Long-term contract duration allows for program stability and planning.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader healthcare and life sciences sector, specifically supporting biomedical research. The market for specialized non-human primate breeding colonies is niche, with a limited number of institutions possessing the necessary expertise, facilities, and regulatory compliance. Spending in this area is critical for federal agencies like NIH to advance public health initiatives and develop new medical treatments. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of NHP colonies and their specific research applications.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. The nature of specialized NHP breeding services often requires significant infrastructure and expertise, which may limit the pool of eligible small business contractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities were pursued or available.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

NIH Vaccine Research Center Support Contracts
Non-Human Primate Research Support
Biomedical Research Infrastructure
Animal Care and Use Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruption
Reliance on specialized contractor
Long-term program sustainability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $8.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE. NHP BREEDING COLONY FOR VACCINE RESEARCH CENTER (VRC)

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 $8.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-16. End: 2027-03-15.

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

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) has a history of engaging in research and receiving federal funding. While specific details on their track record with federal contracts, especially those involving complex animal research like NHP breeding, are not fully detailed in the provided data, universities of this caliber typically have established administrative and compliance processes for managing grants and contracts. UL Lafayette's capacity to secure this contract suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. A deeper dive into their past performance on similar federal awards, including any reported issues or successes, would provide a more comprehensive assessment of their reliability for this specific NHP breeding colony requirement.

How does the awarded value of $8.5 million compare to other federal contracts for similar NHP breeding colony services?

Directly comparing the $8.5 million award to other federal contracts for NHP breeding colonies is challenging due to the highly specialized nature of these services and the variability in contract scope, duration, and specific primate species. Contracts can range significantly based on the number of animals, breeding intensity, specific research protocols, and the required level of veterinary care and genetic management. However, for a multi-year contract supporting a dedicated breeding program for research purposes, $8.5 million over approximately four years appears to be within a reasonable range. The fixed-price nature of this contract also suggests a defined scope, which aids in cost predictability compared to cost-reimbursement contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks for this contract include potential disruptions to the NHP supply chain, which could impact critical vaccine research timelines. Reliance on a single contractor for such a specialized service also presents a risk if performance issues arise. Furthermore, the long-term sustainability and ethical considerations of NHP breeding programs require careful management. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by NIH, clear contractual requirements, and contingency planning for unforeseen events. The fixed-price nature of the contract incentivizes the contractor to manage risks effectively to maintain profitability. Regular communication and site visits by government officials would also be crucial for oversight.

How effective is the full and open competition process in ensuring value for money for this specialized NHP breeding service?

The full and open competition process is designed to maximize value for money by encouraging a wide range of qualified bidders to submit proposals, thereby fostering price competition and innovation. For specialized services like NHP breeding colonies, this approach allows the government to solicit proposals from institutions with unique capabilities and potentially discover the most cost-effective solutions. While the number of bidders isn't specified, the process itself increases the likelihood that the selected contractor offers competitive pricing and meets the stringent technical requirements. The effectiveness is ultimately measured by the quality of service delivered and the overall cost-effectiveness over the contract's life.

What are the historical spending patterns for NHP breeding colonies or similar research support services by the NIH?

Historical spending patterns for NHP breeding colonies and similar research support services by the NIH are substantial, reflecting the critical role these animals play in biomedical research, particularly for vaccine development and infectious disease studies. NIH consistently allocates significant funds towards maintaining and expanding research infrastructure, including specialized animal facilities and breeding programs. While specific figures for NHP breeding colonies alone are not readily available without detailed database queries, overall federal spending on non-human primates for research purposes runs into hundreds of millions of dollars annually across various agencies. This $8.5 million award represents a component of that larger investment aimed at ensuring a consistent and ethically sourced supply for critical research needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting › Other Animal Production › All Other Animal Production

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $12,679,021

Exercised Options: $8,535,393

Current Obligation: $8,535,393

Actual Outlays: $5,318,793

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N93019D00033

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline