NIH awards $26.5M contract to University of Utah for epilepsy therapy screening research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,486,841 ($26.5M)

Contractor: University of Utah

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-03-22

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,745 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SCREENING OF INVESTIGATIONAL THERAPEUTICS TO TREAT, MODIFY OR PREVENT EPILEPSY FOR THE NINDS EPILEPSY THERAPY SCREENING PROGRAM (ETSP)

Place of Performance

Location: SALT LAKE CITY, SALT LAKE County, UTAH, 84112

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $26.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF UTAH for work described as: SCREENING OF INVESTIGATIONAL THERAPEUTICS TO TREAT, MODIFY OR PREVENT EPILEPSY FOR THE NINDS EPILEPSY THERAPY SCREENING PROGRAM (ETSP) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical research for epilepsy treatment development. 2. University of Utah, a known research institution, is the sole awardee. 3. The contract duration is substantial, spanning over 4.5 years. 4. Funding mechanism is 'Cost No Fee', common in early-stage R&D. 5. This award falls under the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' NAICS code. 6. The contract is a definitive contract, suggesting a long-term relationship for specific research objectives.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The 'Cost No Fee' contract type is typical for research and development where final costs are uncertain. While direct cost comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific research milestones and deliverables, the total award amount of $26.5 million over nearly five years for a specialized screening program appears reasonable for NIH-funded R&D. Benchmarking against similar NIH grants for therapeutic screening programs would provide further context, but the scale aligns with the complexity of such scientific endeavors.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple potential offerors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive process was initiated. This approach is generally favored to ensure the government receives the best value by considering a wide range of qualified sources.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services or research.

Public Impact

Patients suffering from epilepsy stand to benefit from the development of new treatments. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) program aims to accelerate the discovery of novel therapies. The research conducted will contribute to the broader scientific understanding of epilepsy. The contract supports research activities, potentially involving a scientific workforce at the University of Utah.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Cost No Fee' structure means the government bears the research costs without a pre-defined profit margin for the contractor, which is standard for R&D but requires careful monitoring of expenditures.
The long duration of the contract (over 4.5 years) necessitates ongoing performance monitoring to ensure research stays on track and within budget.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contract is for a critical research area (epilepsy therapy screening) aligned with the agency's mission.
The University of Utah is a reputable research institution with a track record in scientific endeavors.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' sector, specifically focusing on pharmaceutical and medical research. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a major funder of such research, with significant annual spending dedicated to discovering and developing new treatments for diseases. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other NIH grants and contracts for therapeutic screening programs, which can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars depending on the scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement for this award (ss: false, sb: false). As a research and development contract awarded to a large university, the primary focus is on scientific expertise rather than small business subcontracting goals. However, the University of Utah may engage small businesses for specific support services or supplies as needed during the contract performance, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). As a definitive contract for research and development, oversight would likely involve regular progress reports, financial reviews, and milestone assessments to ensure the research is proceeding as planned and funds are being utilized appropriately. Transparency is generally maintained through public reporting of research outcomes and grant information, though specific contract details beyond the award amount and duration may be limited.

Related Government Programs

National Institutes of Health Research Grants
NINDS Epilepsy Research Programs
Therapeutic Development Contracts
Biomedical Research and Development

Risk Flags

Potential for research delays or scientific setbacks.
Need for continuous monitoring of R&D expenditures under 'Cost No Fee' structure.
Evolving scientific landscape may impact long-term relevance of research objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $26.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF UTAH. SCREENING OF INVESTIGATIONAL THERAPEUTICS TO TREAT, MODIFY OR PREVENT EPILEPSY FOR THE NINDS EPILEPSY THERAPY SCREENING PROGRAM (ETSP)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF UTAH.

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 $26.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-22. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the specific scientific objective of the NINDS Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program (ETSP) funded by this contract?

The NINDS Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program (ETSP) aims to identify and characterize novel compounds and therapeutic strategies that could potentially treat, modify, or prevent epilepsy. This involves a systematic screening process to evaluate a wide range of potential anti-epileptic drugs and interventions. The program plays a crucial role in the drug discovery pipeline by providing early-stage validation and data that can inform further development by academic researchers or pharmaceutical companies. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the translation of promising scientific discoveries into effective treatments for individuals living with epilepsy.

How does the 'Cost No Fee' contract type function in the context of this R&D award?

The 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type is a variation of a cost-reimbursement contract commonly used for research and development efforts where the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset, and the final cost is uncertain. Under a CNF contract, the government reimburses the contractor (University of Utah, in this case) for all allowable costs incurred in performing the contract. However, unlike other cost-plus contracts, the contractor does not receive any additional fee or profit on top of the reimbursed costs. This structure is often employed when the primary objective is to achieve a specific research outcome rather than to generate profit, aligning the contractor's incentives with the government's goal of advancing scientific knowledge.

What is the significance of the University of Utah being awarded this contract?

The University of Utah's award for this significant epilepsy therapy screening contract highlights its established capabilities and reputation in biomedical research. As a major research institution, it possesses the necessary infrastructure, scientific expertise, and personnel to undertake complex R&D projects funded by agencies like the NIH. This award suggests that the university's research proposals and track record were deemed highly competitive and aligned with the specific scientific objectives of the NINDS ETSP. Such contracts are vital for universities to fund ongoing research, attract top scientific talent, and contribute to advancements in medical science.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-duration R&D contract like this?

Long-duration R&D contracts, such as this 4.5-year award, carry inherent risks. Scientific progress is not always linear; research may encounter unforeseen challenges, leading to delays or the need for significant course corrections. The 'Cost No Fee' structure, while common, requires diligent oversight to ensure that costs remain reasonable and allocable to the contract objectives. Furthermore, scientific priorities can evolve, and the relevance of the initial research goals might diminish over time. There's also a risk that the research may not yield the desired breakthroughs, despite significant investment. Effective risk mitigation involves robust project management, regular scientific reviews, and flexibility to adapt to emerging findings.

How does this contract contribute to the broader goal of developing new epilepsy treatments?

This contract is a critical component of the drug discovery and development pipeline for epilepsy treatments. By funding the systematic screening of investigational therapeutics, it aims to identify promising candidates that might otherwise remain undiscovered or undeveloped. The NINDS ETSP acts as a vital bridge, moving potential treatments from early-stage conceptualization or laboratory findings towards more advanced preclinical and clinical development. Successful identification of effective compounds through this program can significantly reduce the time and resources required for subsequent development phases, ultimately accelerating the availability of novel therapies for patients suffering from various forms of epilepsy.

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: 75N95022R00005

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 201 PRESIDENTS CIR, SALT LAKE CITY, UT, 84112

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: $45,233,724

Exercised Options: $26,486,841

Current Obligation: $26,486,841

Actual Outlays: $18,474,124

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $2,473,893

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline