HHS awards $341,391 for cognitive change diagnostics workshop support to National Academy of Sciences

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $341,391 ($341.4K)

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: $938/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES:1108676 [26-002599] THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROCURE SUPPORT FOR THE WORKSHOP ON IMPROVING DIAGNOSTICS OF COGNITIVE CHANGE AS DEFINED IN PROPOSAL NO. AWP-000649.

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $341,391 to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES for work described as: NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES:1108676 [26-002599] THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROCURE SUPPORT FOR THE WORKSHOP ON IMPROVING DIAGNOSTICS OF COGNITIVE CHANGE AS DEFINED IN PROPOSAL NO. AWP-000649. Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. The duration of 364 days suggests a focused, project-specific need. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. The task order falls under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'. 5. The awardee, National Academy of Sciences, is a non-profit organization. 6. The contract is for support of a workshop on improving diagnostics of cognitive change.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific task order is challenging without comparable sole-source contracts for similar workshop support. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government, but the lack of competition means the price may not reflect the lowest achievable market rate. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of work and the specific expertise required for the workshop.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This approach is typically used when only one responsible source is available or authorized by statute. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to solicit multiple bids and potentially secure a lower price through a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to drive down prices. This necessitates a strong justification for the sole-source determination to ensure fair value is obtained.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are researchers and policymakers involved in understanding and diagnosing cognitive change. The services delivered will support a workshop aimed at improving diagnostic methods. The geographic impact is likely national, given the nature of scientific workshops and the awardee's location in Maryland. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a support contract for a specific event rather than a large-scale service delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to a higher price than a competed award.
Limited transparency into the justification for sole-source award without further documentation.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable non-profit organization with expertise in scientific matters.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Clear definition of the task order's purpose: supporting a workshop on cognitive change diagnostics.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Scientific and Technical Consulting Services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide range of expert advisory services. The market for such services is diverse, with many firms and non-profit organizations capable of providing specialized knowledge. The value of this specific contract is relatively small within the broader federal spending landscape for consulting services, which can range from millions to billions of dollars annually.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. As a sole-source award, it bypasses the typical competitive processes where small businesses might have opportunities to bid or subcontract. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its relevant contracting officers. The firm-fixed-price nature simplifies some aspects of oversight by focusing on deliverable acceptance. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature, and further oversight details would depend on internal HHS policies and any specific reporting requirements outlined in the task order.

Related Government Programs

National Institutes of Health Research Grants
Cognitive Health Research Programs
Scientific Workshop Funding

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Potential for higher cost due to lack of competitive bidding.
Limited transparency on justification for sole-source.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $341,391 to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES:1108676 [26-002599] THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROCURE SUPPORT FOR THE WORKSHOP ON IMPROVING DIAGNOSTICS OF COGNITIVE CHANGE AS DEFINED IN PROPOSAL NO. AWP-000649.

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 $341,391.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific expertise of the National Academy of Sciences that justifies a sole-source award for this task order?

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a private, non-profit institution that provides independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology. Its charter mandates it to advise the federal government. For this specific task order, the justification for a sole-source award likely stems from the NAS's unique convening authority, established reputation, and expertise in organizing high-level scientific workshops and consensus studies. The proposal number AWP-000649 suggests a pre-existing relationship or a specific project scope that the NAS is uniquely positioned to support, potentially involving a complex synthesis of scientific information or policy recommendations that requires their specific methodology and broad scientific network. Without access to the full justification document, it is presumed that the NAS's role in convening experts and producing authoritative reports on scientific matters is the primary driver for this sole-source determination.

How does the $341,391 cost compare to similar workshops or consulting services for cognitive change diagnostics?

Directly comparing the $341,391 cost to similar federal contracts for cognitive change diagnostics workshops is difficult due to the sole-source nature of this award and the specificity of the task. Federal procurement data often lacks granular detail on the exact scope and deliverables for individual workshops, especially when awarded non-competitively. However, for context, federal agencies frequently fund scientific workshops and consulting services. Costs can vary widely based on duration, number of participants, complexity of the topic, and the reputation of the organizing body. A $341,391 award for a 364-day support task order for a workshop suggests a significant undertaking, potentially involving extensive planning, expert engagement, and report generation. Without competitive bids, it's challenging to ascertain if this represents optimal value for money, but it falls within a range for specialized, high-level scientific advisory services.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for scientific consulting services?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for scientific consulting services is the potential for a higher cost to the government compared to a competitively procured contract. Without multiple bids, there is no market pressure to ensure the lowest possible price is achieved. Another risk is the potential for reduced innovation or a narrower range of approaches, as the government is limited to the solutions proposed by the single awarded contractor. Furthermore, sole-source awards can raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity for other qualified entities that may have been capable of performing the work. Robust justification and oversight are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure that the chosen contractor is indeed the only responsible source and that the price is fair and reasonable.

What is the expected outcome or deliverable from this contract?

The expected outcome from this contract is the successful support for a workshop focused on improving the diagnostics of cognitive change. While the specific deliverables are not detailed in the provided data, such support typically includes logistical arrangements for the workshop (venue, catering, travel for participants), administrative assistance, and potentially the compilation and dissemination of workshop findings. The ultimate goal is to advance the understanding and methods for diagnosing cognitive changes, which could lead to improved healthcare outcomes for individuals experiencing cognitive decline. The National Academy of Sciences is known for producing comprehensive reports and recommendations following such workshops, which would likely be a key output.

How does this contract align with the broader mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)?

This contract directly aligns with the mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), particularly its focus on advancing the understanding of human health and disease, including neurological and cognitive disorders. The NIH supports a vast array of research aimed at preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions that affect cognitive function. By funding a workshop dedicated to improving diagnostics of cognitive change, the NIH is investing in the foundational knowledge and methodologies that can lead to earlier and more accurate identification of cognitive impairments. This, in turn, can facilitate timely interventions, improve patient care, and support the development of new therapeutic strategies, all of which are central to the NIH's overarching goals.

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: $341,391

Exercised Options: $341,391

Current Obligation: $341,391

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