HHS awards $150K for Traumatic Brain Injury Forum to National Academy of Sciences via sole-source contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $150,000 ($150.0K)
Contractor: National Academy of Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2026-04-10
End Date: 2027-04-09
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $412/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES:1108676 [26-003793] THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROCURE FORUM ON TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AS DEFINED IN QUOTE NO. AWP-000591.
Place of Performance
Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $150,000 to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES for work described as: NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES:1108676 [26-003793] THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROCURE FORUM ON TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AS DEFINED IN QUOTE NO. AWP-000591. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on a specialized forum for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). 2. Competition was not pursued for this delivery order. 3. The primary risk is the lack of competitive pricing and potential for higher costs. 4. The sector is scientific and technical consulting services.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The $150,000 price for a 364-day forum on TBI is difficult to benchmark without more detail on deliverables. Given the sole-source nature, it's hard to assess if this represents fair value compared to potentially competitive options.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if multiple vendors had competed.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about the optimal use of taxpayer funds for this specialized consulting service.
Public Impact
Public health research on TBI will benefit from the insights generated by the forum. The National Academy of Sciences is a reputable organization for convening expert discussions. Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of a competitive bidding process.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
Positive Signals
- Reputable contractor
- Focus on critical health issue
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services. Benchmarks for similar specialized forums are not readily available, but the sole-source nature warrants scrutiny.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this procurement, as it was awarded directly to the National Academy of Sciences.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award suggests limited oversight in the initial procurement phase. Further oversight would focus on the execution and outcomes of the TBI forum.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits price competition.
- Potential for inflated costs due to lack of bidding.
- Limited transparency on justification for sole-source.
- No clear indication of small business participation.
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, delivery-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $150,000 to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES:1108676 [26-003793] THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROCURE FORUM ON TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AS DEFINED IN QUOTE NO. AWP-000591.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
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 $150,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2027-04-09.
What specific deliverables or outcomes are expected from the Traumatic Brain Injury forum to justify the $150,000 cost?
The provided data does not specify the exact deliverables. Typically, such forums result in reports, recommendations, or policy briefs. The value hinges on the quality and impact of these outputs in advancing TBI research, treatment, or policy, which requires further investigation beyond the contract's basic description.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what risks does this pose?
The justification for a sole-source award is not detailed here. Risks include a lack of competitive pricing, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers, and the missed opportunity to leverage diverse expertise and innovative solutions that a competitive process might uncover.
How will the effectiveness of the Traumatic Brain Injury forum be measured to ensure it meets its objectives and provides value?
Effectiveness measurement is not detailed in the provided data. Agencies typically assess effectiveness through post-forum surveys, review of published outcomes, and tracking the implementation of recommendations. Ensuring clear objectives and measurable outcomes from the outset is crucial for demonstrating value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2101 CONSTITUTION AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20418
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $150,000
Exercised Options: $150,000
Current Obligation: $150,000
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75N98024D00037
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-10
Current End Date: 2027-04-09
Potential End Date: 2027-04-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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