NIH awards $509K contract for non-human primate tissue bank development and maintenance to University of Wisconsin System

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $509,428 ($509.4K)

Contractor: University of Wisconsin System

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $465/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF A NON-HUMAN PRIMATE TISSUE BANK

Place of Performance

Location: MADISON, DANE County, WISCONSIN, 53715

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $509,428 to UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM for work described as: DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF A NON-HUMAN PRIMATE TISSUE BANK Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical research infrastructure for biological studies. 2. University of Wisconsin System selected through full and open competition. 3. Potential for long-term research impact through tissue preservation. 4. Contract duration of three years suggests ongoing need for services. 5. Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type allows for flexibility in research projects. 6. Performance period aligns with current federal fiscal year and beyond.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $509,428 over three years for a specialized tissue bank appears reasonable given the niche nature of the service. Benchmarking against similar contracts for biological sample repositories is challenging due to the specific focus on non-human primate tissues. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure suggests that NIH will monitor costs closely while allowing for the necessary flexibility in research and development activities. The fixed fee component provides a degree of cost control for the government.

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 bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized services. This process is designed to ensure the government receives competitive pricing and the best value by allowing a wide range of potential contractors to participate.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and ensuring that the most capable and cost-effective provider is selected.

Public Impact

Researchers in biomedical fields requiring access to preserved non-human primate tissues will benefit. The contract supports the development and maintenance of a critical research resource. Geographic impact is primarily national, supporting NIH-funded research across the US. Workforce implications include specialized roles in tissue banking, cryopreservation, and laboratory management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for tissue degradation if maintenance protocols are not rigorously followed.
Reliance on a single institution for a critical research resource could pose a risk if institutional capacity is compromised.

Positive Signals

Selection through full and open competition indicates a robust evaluation process.
The University of Wisconsin System has a strong track record in research and development.
The contract's focus on tissue banking supports long-term scientific advancement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically under NAICS code 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). This category encompasses a broad range of scientific inquiry. The market for specialized biological tissue banking is niche, often involving academic institutions or specialized bio-repository companies. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific details on the scale and scope of the tissue bank.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of developing and maintaining a non-human primate tissue bank, it is likely that the primary contractors are larger institutions or established research organizations. There is no explicit information on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) necessitates close monitoring of expenditures and adherence to the fixed fee. Transparency is expected through regular reporting requirements and performance evaluations. The HHS Office of Inspector General would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any improprieties were suspected.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Grants
Biomedical Research Infrastructure
National Primate Research Centers
Biological Sample Repositories

Risk Flags

Potential for long-term viability issues of banked tissues.
Dependence on institutional capacity and stability.
Ensuring adequate scientific relevance and accessibility for researchers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $509,428 to UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM. DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF A NON-HUMAN PRIMATE TISSUE BANK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM.

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 $509,428.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the track record of the University of Wisconsin System in managing similar research infrastructure contracts?

The University of Wisconsin System, as a large public university system, has extensive experience in managing research grants and infrastructure projects funded by federal agencies, including NIH. While specific details on past contracts for non-human primate tissue banks are not readily available in this context, the system's overall research portfolio suggests a capacity for managing complex scientific endeavors. Their established research administration processes, including financial management and compliance, are designed to handle federal funding effectively. Further investigation into their specific experience with bio-repositories and primate research would provide a more granular assessment of their suitability for this particular contract.

How does the awarded amount compare to the typical cost of developing and maintaining a specialized tissue bank?

The awarded amount of $509,428 over three years for the development and maintenance of a non-human primate tissue bank is difficult to benchmark precisely without detailed specifications of the bank's size, scope, and preservation methods. Specialized bio-repositories can incur significant costs related to infrastructure (e.g., ultra-low temperature freezers, liquid nitrogen storage), specialized personnel (e.g., cryopreservation specialists, lab technicians), quality control, inventory management systems, and regulatory compliance. For a niche resource like a non-human primate tissue bank, this funding level may represent a foundational investment or support for ongoing operations rather than a comprehensive, large-scale facility. Comparisons to general biological sample repositories might not be directly applicable due to the unique biological and ethical considerations surrounding primate tissues.

What are the primary risks associated with the development and maintenance of this specific tissue bank?

Key risks include the potential for sample degradation due to failures in cryopreservation or storage equipment, or human error in handling and inventory management. Ensuring long-term viability and accessibility of the banked tissues is paramount. Another risk is the scientific relevance and utility of the banked tissues; if the samples do not meet the evolving needs of researchers or if the tissue bank's cataloging and accessibility are poor, its value diminishes. Furthermore, reliance on a single institution for this critical resource could pose a risk if the institution faces funding cuts, operational disruptions, or changes in research priorities. Ensuring robust quality control and disaster recovery plans are essential mitigation strategies.

What is the expected program effectiveness and impact of this tissue bank on future research?

The effectiveness of this tissue bank will be measured by its ability to preserve valuable non-human primate tissues in a viable state for future scientific study. Its impact on research is expected to be significant, providing a critical resource for studies in areas such as infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, emerging viruses), neuroscience, immunology, and toxicology. By preserving tissues, the bank can reduce the need for new animal studies, promoting ethical research practices and potentially lowering overall research costs. The availability of well-characterized tissues can accelerate discovery, enable longitudinal studies, and support the development of new diagnostics and therapeutics by allowing researchers to access valuable biological materials without the need for new animal procurement and experimentation.

How has NIH's spending on biological sample repositories and tissue banking evolved over the past five years?

NIH's spending on biological sample repositories and tissue banking has likely seen a steady increase over the past five years, driven by the growing recognition of their importance in precision medicine, drug development, and disease research. While specific aggregate data for 'tissue banking' contracts is not easily isolated, NIH's overall budget for research infrastructure and specific disease-focused initiatives often includes allocations for sample management and bio-banking. Trends indicate a move towards more sophisticated data management, standardization of protocols, and integration of 'omics' data with stored samples. Funding often supports both the establishment of new repositories and the maintenance and expansion of existing ones, reflecting a sustained commitment to these critical research resources.

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 › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 75N95023R00017

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 21 N PARK ST STE 6301, MADISON, WI, 53715

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: $1,058,553

Exercised Options: $509,428

Current Obligation: $509,428

Actual Outlays: $305,899

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline