NHLBI awards $1.08M contract for technology transfer and patent expertise to Gap Solutions, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $107,671 ($107.7K)
Contractor: GAP Solutions, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2026-05-18
End Date: 2027-05-17
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $296/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: NHLBI REQUIRES A TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND PATENT SPECIALIST TO SUPPORT OTTAD BY PROVIDING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, PATENT PROSECUTION, LICENSING ACTIVITIES, AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER SUPPORT.
Place of Performance
Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20191
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $107,671.2 to GAP SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: NHLBI REQUIRES A TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND PATENT SPECIALIST TO SUPPORT OTTAD BY PROVIDING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, PATENT PROSECUTION, LICENSING ACTIVITIES, AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical intellectual property management and technology transfer functions. 2. Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of one year with potential for extension warrants performance monitoring. 4. Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services are key to NHLBI's innovation pipeline. 5. The contract's value is moderate, suggesting a focused scope of work.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $1.08 million for a one-year period appears reasonable for specialized intellectual property and technology transfer support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for patent prosecution and licensing services would provide a more precise assessment. However, the scope of services, including patent prosecution and licensing, typically commands significant expertise and associated costs. The Time and Materials pricing structure allows for flexibility but requires diligent oversight to ensure cost efficiency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is generally expected to yield competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors. The number of bidders and the specific evaluation criteria would provide further insight into the intensity of the competition and its impact on the final award.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it promotes a level playing field, encourages cost-effective proposals, and increases the likelihood of selecting the best value solution.
Public Impact
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) benefits from enhanced intellectual property management and technology transfer capabilities. Researchers and innovators within NHLBI will receive support in patenting and licensing their discoveries. The contract supports the advancement of medical research and the translation of scientific breakthroughs into practical applications. Workforce implications include the need for specialized legal and technical expertise in intellectual property law and technology commercialization.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract if not closely monitored.
- Ensuring consistent quality of patent prosecution and licensing services over the contract term.
- Dependency on a single contractor for critical IP functions could pose a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Contract supports core functions vital to NHLBI's mission of advancing health through research.
- Clear statement of work focusing on specialized expertise in intellectual property management.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. The market for intellectual property management and technology transfer services is specialized, involving law firms, consulting groups, and individual experts with deep knowledge of patent law, licensing agreements, and commercialization strategies. Spending in this area supports the government's role in fostering innovation and protecting intellectual assets derived from federally funded research.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, Gap Solutions, Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. This suggests that the competition was open to all qualified vendors, regardless of size. There is no immediate indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses, but this could be a factor in future contract modifications or related procurements.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) contracting officer and program officials. Performance will be monitored against the deliverables outlined in the contract statement of work. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, and any significant issues or performance concerns would typically be addressed through contract administration channels, potentially involving the agency's Inspector General if fraud or significant mismanagement is suspected.
Related Government Programs
- National Institutes of Health Technology Transfer Program
- Federal Intellectual Property Management
- Patent Prosecution Services
- Technology Licensing Agreements
- Research and Development Support Services
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials contract type requires diligent oversight to control costs.
- Performance quality of specialized IP services is critical and requires ongoing monitoring.
- Potential for contractor dependency on a single, critical function.
Tags
health-and-human-services, national-institutes-of-health, nhlbi, administrative-management-and-general-management-consulting-services, professional-services, full-and-open-competition, time-and-materials, technology-transfer, patent-prosecution, intellectual-property-management, virginia, bpa-call
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $107,671.2 to GAP SOLUTIONS, INC.. NHLBI REQUIRES A TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND PATENT SPECIALIST TO SUPPORT OTTAD BY PROVIDING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, PATENT PROSECUTION, LICENSING ACTIVITIES, AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER SUPPORT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GAP SOLUTIONS, INC..
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 $107,671.2.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-05-18. End: 2027-05-17.
What is the track record of Gap Solutions, Inc. in providing similar technology transfer and patent services to federal agencies?
Assessing the track record of Gap Solutions, Inc. requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving intellectual property management, patent prosecution, and technology transfer. Information on contract history, client feedback, and any past performance evaluations would be crucial. Without specific data on their prior federal engagements in this niche area, it is difficult to definitively gauge their expertise and reliability. Agencies often utilize past performance questionnaires and reference checks during the procurement process to evaluate a contractor's suitability for specialized services like these.
How does the awarded value of $1.08 million compare to similar contracts for patent prosecution and technology transfer specialists?
The awarded value of $1.08 million for a one-year contract for a technology transfer and patent specialist is within a typical range for highly specialized professional services. The exact comparison depends heavily on the scope of work, the level of expertise required (e.g., patent agent vs. patent attorney, specific technical fields), and the geographic location of the personnel. Contracts for patent prosecution can vary significantly based on the number of patent applications filed, the complexity of the inventions, and the prosecution stages involved. Similarly, technology transfer activities, including licensing and market analysis, require specialized skills. A detailed benchmark would require comparing the hourly rates, estimated hours, and specific deliverables against other government contracts for similar services.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Primary risks include potential cost overruns due to the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, which necessitates close monitoring of hours and rates. Another risk is ensuring the quality and effectiveness of patent prosecution and licensing activities, as these directly impact the value and protection of NHLBI's intellectual property. Dependency on a single contractor for critical IP functions could also pose a risk if performance issues arise. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract oversight, regular performance reviews, clear deliverable tracking, and potentially establishing performance metrics tied to successful patent filings or licensing agreements. The agency's contracting officer and program managers are responsible for actively managing these risks throughout the contract's lifecycle.
How effective is the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in managing its intellectual property and facilitating technology transfer, and how does this contract support that effectiveness?
The NIH has a well-established technology transfer program aimed at moving discoveries from the lab to the marketplace. This contract directly supports that mission by providing essential expertise in intellectual property management, patent prosecution, and licensing. The effectiveness of NIH's IP management is generally considered strong, given its role as a leading biomedical research institution. This contract ensures that NHLBI, a major component of NIH, has the specialized support needed to protect its innovations and facilitate their commercialization, thereby maximizing the public benefit derived from taxpayer-funded research.
What has been the historical spending pattern for technology transfer and patent support services at NHLBI or NIH?
Historical spending patterns for technology transfer and patent support services at NHLBI and the broader NIH are typically characterized by consistent investment in these specialized areas. Agencies like NIH rely on these services to protect valuable intellectual property arising from extensive research. Spending can fluctuate based on the volume of discoveries, the complexity of patent applications, and the number of licensing agreements pursued. Analyzing past contract awards for similar services, including the number of contracts, their values, and durations, would reveal trends in NHLBI's commitment to IP management and technology transfer over time.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2000 EDMUND HALLEY DR 150, RESTON, VA, 20191
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $107,671
Exercised Options: $107,671
Current Obligation: $107,671
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75N92025A00007
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-05-18
Current End Date: 2027-05-17
Potential End Date: 2027-05-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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