NIH awards $2.4M to Boston University for Framingham Heart Study protocol development

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,433,276 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Trustees of Boston University

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2027-04-02

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: FRAMINGHAM HEART STUDY (FHS), TASK AREA B - PROTOCOL DEVELOPMENT AND BASIC EXAMINATION, YEAR 2

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.4 million to TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY for work described as: FRAMINGHAM HEART STUDY (FHS), TASK AREA B - PROTOCOL DEVELOPMENT AND BASIC EXAMINATION, YEAR 2 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized research support. 2. Sole-source award limits price discovery and potential for innovation. 3. Contract duration is standard for this type of research task. 4. Performance risk is mitigated by contractor's established role in FHS. 5. This contract supports critical public health research infrastructure. 6. Spending aligns with NIH's mission to advance health knowledge.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.43 million over one year for protocol development and basic examination for the Framingham Heart Study is within a reasonable range for specialized research support. Given the long-standing nature of the Framingham Heart Study and Boston University's established role, the pricing is likely benchmarked against historical costs and the unique expertise required. Without direct comparable contracts for this specific task area, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the cost appears justified by the critical nature of the research and the contractor's proven capabilities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating that the agency identified Boston University as the only responsible source capable of performing the required work. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which means there were no other offerors considered. While this can expedite the award, it limits the agency's ability to explore alternative solutions or achieve potentially lower prices through open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the benefits of competition, such as price reduction and innovation, are not realized.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are researchers and public health professionals who rely on the Framingham Heart Study data. The services delivered include essential protocol development and basic examination procedures for a vital longitudinal study. The geographic impact is national, as the study's findings inform public health policies across the United States. Workforce implications include continued employment for researchers, technicians, and administrative staff involved in the study at Boston University.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Sole-source nature limits opportunities for new entrants or innovative approaches.
Dependence on a single contractor could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Contractor has a long-standing and established relationship with the Framingham Heart Study.
The work directly supports a critical, high-impact public health research initiative.
The contract is for a well-defined research support task, reducing execution uncertainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences. The market for specialized research support services for large-scale, long-term epidemiological studies like the Framingham Heart Study is relatively niche. Spending in this area is driven by federal agency priorities in public health and medical research. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large NIH-funded research grants and contracts requiring similar scientific expertise and data management.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve a small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of the research and the sole-source award to a large academic institution, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mentioned. The focus is on the primary contractor's capacity to fulfill the research requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. Accountability measures are embedded within the research grant and contract management processes, including regular progress reports and adherence to scientific protocols. Transparency is maintained through public reporting of study findings and contract award data. The NIH's Office of the Inspector General would have jurisdiction in cases of fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Framingham Heart Study
National Institutes of Health Research Grants
Longitudinal Cohort Studies
Cardiovascular Disease Research

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Potential for cost efficiencies missed due to lack of competitive bidding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.4 million to TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY. FRAMINGHAM HEART STUDY (FHS), TASK AREA B - PROTOCOL DEVELOPMENT AND BASIC EXAMINATION, YEAR 2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY.

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 $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2027-04-02.

What is the historical spending trend for the Framingham Heart Study with Boston University?

Historical spending data for the Framingham Heart Study with Boston University indicates a consistent, long-term relationship. While specific year-over-year figures for this exact task area are not provided in the current data snippet, the study itself has been ongoing for decades, implying substantial cumulative investment. Previous awards would likely reflect the evolving needs of the study, including data collection, analysis, and protocol updates. The current $2.43 million award for a one-year period for protocol development and basic examination appears to be a continuation of this established funding pattern, reflecting the ongoing operational costs required to maintain such a critical research asset. Further analysis would require access to historical contract databases to track the total value and scope of work awarded to Boston University for the FHS over time.

How does the current contract value compare to similar research protocol development contracts?

Comparing the current contract value of $2.43 million for protocol development and basic examination to similar research protocol development contracts is challenging without access to a broader dataset of comparable NIH or other federal agency awards. However, for a large-scale, long-term epidemiological study like the Framingham Heart Study, this annual value seems reasonable. Protocol development and maintenance require specialized expertise and significant effort to ensure data integrity and scientific rigor. If this contract represents a portion of the overall FHS budget, it aligns with the substantial resources typically allocated to maintaining such a vital public health research program. The sole-source nature, however, prevents a direct benchmark against competitively bid contracts for similar services, which might offer a more precise value-for-money comparison.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract would likely focus on the successful development and implementation of updated or new research protocols, the accurate and timely execution of basic examination procedures, and adherence to scientific and ethical standards. Specific metrics could include the timely delivery of revised protocol documents, the successful training of personnel on new procedures, the quality and completeness of data collected during examinations, and compliance with all relevant federal regulations and institutional review board (IRB) requirements. The contractor's ability to maintain the integrity and continuity of the Framingham Heart Study's data collection process, which is crucial for its longitudinal validity, would also be a critical performance measure.

What is the track record of Trustees of Boston University in managing NIH research contracts?

Trustees of Boston University has a long and extensive track record of managing numerous research contracts and grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies. As a major research institution, Boston University has consistently secured significant funding for a wide range of scientific endeavors, including public health, biomedical research, and clinical studies. Their experience with the Framingham Heart Study specifically spans many years, demonstrating a deep understanding of the study's objectives, methodologies, and operational requirements. This established history suggests a high level of competence in research administration, scientific execution, and compliance with federal regulations, making them a reliable partner for complex, long-term research projects.

Are there any identified risks associated with this sole-source award?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source award is the potential for reduced value for money due to the lack of competition. Without competing bids, there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest possible price, and the agency may not benefit from innovative approaches or efficiencies that could arise from a competitive process. Another risk is vendor lock-in; the agency becomes dependent on Boston University for this specific aspect of the Framingham Heart Study, which could be problematic if performance issues arise or if future needs change significantly. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance expectations is crucial to mitigate these risks.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 SILBER WAY, BOSTON, MA, 02215

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,433,276

Exercised Options: $2,433,276

Current Obligation: $2,433,276

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N92025D00012

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline