HHS Awards $400K for Neuroscience Forum to National Academy of Sciences

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $400,000 ($400.0K)

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: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROCURE FORUM ON NEUROSCIENCE AND NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS AS DEFINED IN PROPOSAL NO. AWP-000637.

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $400,000 to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES for work described as: THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROCURE FORUM ON NEUROSCIENCE AND NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS AS DEFINED IN PROPOSAL NO. AWP-000637. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on neuroscience and nervous system disorders. 2. Competition was limited, raising potential price discovery concerns. 3. The fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risk. 4. This falls under Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $400,000 award for a 364-day duration appears reasonable for a specialized forum. Benchmarking against similar scientific consulting contracts would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This was not competed, suggesting a limited competition approach. The lack of open competition may have impacted the government's ability to secure the most competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a specialized scientific forum. The impact is likely minimal given the relatively small award amount.

Public Impact

Advances understanding of neurological disorders. Supports scientific collaboration and knowledge sharing. Potential for policy recommendations impacting public health. Engages leading experts in the field.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for sole-source justification issues

Positive Signals

Clear objective for the forum
Fixed-price contract type

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under scientific and technical consulting services, a broad category. Benchmarks for similar specialized advisory services would be relevant for a full assessment.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses. Analysis of small business participation is not possible with the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The award is a delivery order under an existing agreement, suggesting some level of prior vetting. However, the lack of competition warrants further oversight to ensure fair pricing.

Related Government Programs

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for price not being optimized
Lack of small business participation noted

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $400,000 to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROCURE FORUM ON NEUROSCIENCE AND NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS AS DEFINED IN PROPOSAL NO. AWP-000637.

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 $400,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2027-04-09.

What was the justification for not competing this requirement?

The justification for not competing this requirement is not provided in the data. Typically, agencies must demonstrate that only one source is capable of fulfilling the requirement, or that exceptional circumstances necessitate a limited competition. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess if the government received the best possible value.

How does the cost compare to similar neuroscience forums or consulting services?

A direct cost comparison is challenging without access to a database of similar contracts for specialized scientific forums. However, $400,000 for a year-long engagement involving leading experts suggests a potentially fair price, but a formal benchmark analysis against comparable services would be necessary for a definitive assessment.

What is the expected tangible outcome or deliverable from this forum?

The tangible outcome is expected to be a 'Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders' as defined in a proposal. This likely includes reports, recommendations, or a synthesis of current research and future directions, contributing to scientific advancement and potentially informing public health policy.

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: $400,000

Exercised Options: $400,000

Current Obligation: $400,000

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