University of Washington awarded $13.1M for epidemiological research support on health disparities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,152,838 ($13.2M)

Contractor: University of Washington

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-03-25

End Date: 2027-03-24

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: BASE AWARD: NIMHD US BURDEN OF HEALTH DISPARITIES PROVIDING EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH SUPPORT ON HOW DISEASES, INJURIES AND RISK FACTORS ARE DISTRIBUTED IN THE US BIOSTATISTICAL CONSULTATION COMPUTATIONAL APPROACHES AND PUBLIC PLATFORM THAT ALLOWS F

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $13.2 million to UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON for work described as: BASE AWARD: NIMHD US BURDEN OF HEALTH DISPARITIES PROVIDING EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH SUPPORT ON HOW DISEASES, INJURIES AND RISK FACTORS ARE DISTRIBUTED IN THE US BIOSTATISTICAL CONSULTATION COMPUTATIONAL APPROACHES AND PUBLIC PLATFORM THAT ALLOWS F Key points: 1. Contract focuses on understanding disease distribution and risk factors in the U.S. 2. Services include biostatistical consultation and computational approaches. 3. The award supports a public platform for data dissemination. 4. This contract is crucial for informing public health strategies. 5. The duration of the contract is four years. 6. The base award amount is over $13 million.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The base award of $13.1 million for epidemiological research support appears reasonable given the scope of work, which includes biostatistical consultation and the development of a public platform. Benchmarking against similar large-scale public health research grants suggests this is within a typical range for multi-year, complex data analysis and dissemination projects. The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. While sole-source awards can sometimes lead to higher prices due to a lack of competition, they are often justified when a specific entity possesses unique qualifications, expertise, or has already established critical infrastructure for the project. The justification for this sole-source award would need to be thoroughly reviewed to ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have benefited from potentially lower prices that could have been achieved through a competitive bidding process. However, if the University of Washington is uniquely qualified, this award could represent the best value for achieving the specific research objectives.

Public Impact

The public benefits from a better understanding of health disparities and disease distribution across the U.S. Services delivered include advanced biostatistical analysis and the creation of accessible public health data platforms. The geographic impact is national, aiming to inform health policies and interventions across all regions of the United States. The contract supports research personnel and potentially data scientists and public health professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing opportunities for taxpayers.
Lack of competition may reduce transparency in the selection process.

Positive Signals

University of Washington is a reputable institution with significant research capabilities.
The contract addresses a critical public health need related to health disparities.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Health and Scientific Research sector, specifically focusing on epidemiological studies and public health data. The market for such services involves academic institutions, research organizations, and specialized consulting firms. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a major funder of health research, and contracts of this nature are common to advance understanding of diseases and health outcomes. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale epidemiological research grants awarded by NIH and similar agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements mentioned in the provided data. The award to a large university suggests the focus was on specialized research capabilities rather than small business participation. Further review of the contract details would be needed to confirm any subcontracting plans or opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. Accountability measures would be established through performance metrics and reporting requirements outlined in the contract. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of the research findings and the potential for public access to the data platform, though the initial award process lacked broad transparency due to its sole-source nature.

Related Government Programs

National Center for Health Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention research grants
Public Health Surveillance Systems
Epidemiological Research Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award justification requires scrutiny.
Potential for cost overruns due to lack of competition.
Dependence on a single entity for critical research infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $13.2 million to UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON. BASE AWARD: NIMHD US BURDEN OF HEALTH DISPARITIES PROVIDING EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH SUPPORT ON HOW DISEASES, INJURIES AND RISK FACTORS ARE DISTRIBUTED IN THE US BIOSTATISTICAL CONSULTATION COMPUTATIONAL APPROACHES AND PUBLIC PLATFORM THAT ALLOWS F

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON.

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 $13.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-25. End: 2027-03-24.

What is the University of Washington's track record with federal research grants, particularly in epidemiology and public health?

The University of Washington has a strong and extensive track record with federal research grants, consistently ranking among the top public universities for research and development expenditures. Its schools of Public Health, Medicine, and Public Policy are highly regarded and frequently receive substantial funding from agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Specifically in epidemiology and public health, the university has been involved in numerous large-scale studies, including those focused on disease burden, health disparities, infectious disease outbreaks, and chronic disease prevention. Their established research infrastructure, experienced faculty, and history of successful grant management make them a well-qualified entity for complex projects like the one awarded here.

How does the $13.1 million base award compare to similar epidemiological research support contracts?

The $13.1 million base award for epidemiological research support is within the expected range for significant, multi-year federal research initiatives. Large-scale epidemiological studies, especially those involving national scope, complex data analysis, and public platform development, often require substantial funding. For instance, major grants from the NIH for cohort studies, disease surveillance, or health disparities research can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars over their lifespan. The firm fixed-price nature of this contract provides a clear budget ceiling. While specific comparisons require detailed analysis of contract scope and duration, this award appears commensurate with the stated objectives of understanding disease distribution and risk factors across the U.S.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract, and how might they be mitigated?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source contract is the potential for inflated costs due to the absence of competitive bidding, which could lead to a suboptimal value for taxpayers. Another risk is the potential for less innovation or efficiency compared to what might emerge from a competitive process. Mitigation strategies would include rigorous oversight by the contracting agency (NIH), clear performance metrics and deliverables, and potentially incorporating mechanisms for performance-based adjustments or reviews. Ensuring the justification for the sole-source award was robust and that the University of Washington's proposed costs are thoroughly vetted against independent benchmarks are also crucial mitigation steps. Regular progress reviews and open communication channels can help address any emerging issues proactively.

How effective is the planned public platform likely to be in disseminating information on health disparities?

The effectiveness of the planned public platform will largely depend on its design, accessibility, and the quality of the data it presents. Given the University of Washington's expertise in biostatistics and computational approaches, there is a strong likelihood that the platform will be technically sound and capable of handling complex epidemiological data. For maximum effectiveness, the platform should prioritize user-friendliness for diverse audiences, including researchers, policymakers, healthcare providers, and the general public. Features such as interactive data visualizations, clear explanations of findings, and options for data download (where appropriate) will enhance its utility. The success will also hinge on ongoing maintenance, updates, and promotion to ensure it becomes a recognized and utilized resource for understanding and addressing health disparities.

What are the historical spending patterns for epidemiological research support by the NIH?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) consistently allocates significant portions of its budget to epidemiological research, recognizing its critical role in understanding disease patterns, risk factors, and health outcomes. Historical spending patterns show a steady investment in areas such as chronic diseases, infectious diseases, environmental health, and health disparities. The NIH funds a vast array of projects, from small, focused studies to large, multi-center cohort studies and national surveillance efforts. Awards can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the scale, duration, and complexity of the research. The trend has been towards increasingly sophisticated data analysis, integration of 'omics' data, and the use of advanced computational methods, reflecting the evolving landscape of biomedical research and the need to address complex public health challenges like health disparities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: NIH-NIMHD-2023-7

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4333 BROOKLYN AVE NE, SEATTLE, WA, 98195

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public)

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,791,945

Exercised Options: $13,152,838

Current Obligation: $13,152,838

Actual Outlays: $8,810,251

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline