Army awards $12.16M contract for medical research management support to American Registry of Pathology

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,165,582 ($12.2M)

Contractor: American Registry of Pathology

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2003-09-29

End Date: 2009-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,010 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: 200312!001630!2100!MD17 !US ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH ACQ ACT!DAMD1703C0113 !A!N! !Y! !20030929!20040928!114400633!114400633!114400633!N!AMERICAN REGISTRY OF PATHOLOGY!14TH STREET AND ALASKA AVE!WASHINGTON !DC!20306!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA !D.C. !+000001535206!N!N!000000000847!AN96!RDTE/OTHER MEDICAL - MANAGEMENT SUPPORT !S1 !SERVICES !1000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541690!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !B!U!S!1!001!N!5A!C!N!Z! ! !N!Z!N! ! ! ! ! !A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20306

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $12.2 million to AMERICAN REGISTRY OF PATHOLOGY for work described as: 200312!001630!2100!MD17 !US ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH ACQ ACT!DAMD1703C0113 !A!N! !Y! !20030929!20040928!114400633!114400633!114400633!N!AMERICAN REGISTRY OF PATHOLOGY!14TH STREET AND ALASKA AVE!WASHINGTON !DC!20306!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTR… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential medical research management support services. 2. The contract value represents a significant investment in the medical research sector. 3. Performance is concentrated within the District of Columbia, impacting local resources. 4. The contract duration spans over six years, indicating a long-term need. 5. The specific nature of the services suggests a focus on administrative and technical support for research initiatives.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $12.16 million over six years for medical research management support appears reasonable given the duration and the specialized nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative and technical support in R&D is challenging without more specific service details. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) or cost-no-fee (CNF) contract type, if applicable, can sometimes lead to higher costs if not tightly managed. The absence of detailed performance metrics makes a definitive value assessment difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating that only one vendor, the American Registry of Pathology, was considered capable of fulfilling the requirement. This approach bypasses the competitive bidding process, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government. The justification for a sole-source award needs to be robust to ensure fair pricing and avoid potential overspending.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit opportunities for other businesses and can result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to competitively bid contracts.

Public Impact

The American Registry of Pathology directly benefits from this contract, enabling its continued operation and services. The contract supports the management and administrative functions crucial for medical research initiatives. Services are geographically concentrated in Washington D.C., potentially impacting local workforce and infrastructure. The contract likely sustains specialized administrative and technical roles within the organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and potentially increases costs.
Lack of detailed service description makes performance and value assessment difficult.
Contract duration of over six years requires careful monitoring for sustained value.

Positive Signals

Award to a specialized organization suggests a need for specific expertise.
Long-term contract indicates a stable and ongoing requirement for these services.
Focus on medical research support aligns with national health priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader scientific and technical consulting services sector, specifically supporting medical research. The market for such services is driven by government funding for health and defense-related research. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more granular data on the specific management and support functions provided. However, the U.S. government consistently invests billions in medical R&D annually, making this contract a small but important component of that ecosystem.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. As a sole-source award to a specific organization, it is unlikely to have direct implications for the small business ecosystem unless the prime contractor engages small businesses for support. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities were pursued.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) and potentially the Department of Defense's Inspector General. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the lack of publicly available detailed performance reports. Accountability would be managed through contract clauses and performance reviews, but the effectiveness of these mechanisms is not fully discernible from the provided data.

Related Government Programs

Medical Research and Development Contracts
Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Department of Defense Research Support
Army Medical Research Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of detailed service description
Potential for cost inefficiency due to lack of competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $12.2 million to AMERICAN REGISTRY OF PATHOLOGY. 200312!001630!2100!MD17 !US ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH ACQ ACT!DAMD1703C0113 !A!N! !Y! !20030929!20040928!114400633!114400633!114400633!N!AMERICAN REGISTRY OF PATHOLOGY!14TH STREET AND ALASKA AVE!WASHINGTON !DC!20306!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA !D.C. !+000001535206!N!N!000000000847!AN96!RDTE/OTHER MEDICAL - MANAGEMENT SUPPORT !S1 !SERVICES !1000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541690!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN REGISTRY OF PATHOLOGY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-09-29. End: 2009-03-31.

What specific management and technical support services are being provided under this contract?

The contract description indicates 'RDTE/OTHER MEDICAL - MANAGEMENT SUPPORT' and 'SERVICES' with a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 541690 for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'. While the exact deliverables are not detailed in the provided data, this suggests services related to the administration, coordination, and technical oversight of medical research and development projects. This could include tasks such as project planning, data management, logistical support, regulatory compliance assistance, and reporting for research initiatives funded by the Army.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar medical research management support contracts by the Department of the Army?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar contracts requires access to a comprehensive database of federal procurement data. However, generally, the Department of the Army, through its various research commands like the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), consistently awards significant contracts for research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E). These often include support services for managing complex research portfolios, especially in areas like medical countermeasures, combat casualty care, and infectious diseases. Spending in this category can fluctuate based on strategic priorities and emerging threats, but it represents a substantial and ongoing investment.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to the American Registry of Pathology?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or a critical need that only one entity can fulfill. For the American Registry of Pathology (ARP), its long-standing mission and established infrastructure in managing and archiving pathological specimens and data for research purposes may have made it the sole qualified entity for this specific requirement. Without the official justification document, it's presumed that the Army determined ARP possessed unique expertise or resources essential for the contract's objectives, making a competitive process impractical or detrimental to mission success.

How does the performance of the American Registry of Pathology on previous contracts compare to industry benchmarks?

Assessing the performance of the American Registry of Pathology (ARP) requires access to historical performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) and comparison with industry benchmarks for similar services. The provided data does not include performance metrics or past performance ratings. Generally, organizations like ARP, which often operate under specific research mandates or partnerships, are evaluated on their ability to manage data, maintain archives, support research continuity, and adhere to scientific and administrative standards. A thorough assessment would involve reviewing their track record on similar government contracts, including timeliness, quality of deliverables, and responsiveness.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source contract of this duration for medical research support?

Sole-source contracts, especially those with longer durations like this six-year award, carry inherent risks. Firstly, the lack of competition can lead to reduced price efficiency, meaning the government might pay more than it would in a competitive environment. Secondly, without the pressure of competition, there might be less incentive for the contractor to innovate or improve service delivery over time. Thirdly, there's a risk of vendor lock-in, making it difficult and costly to switch providers if performance issues arise or needs change. Finally, sole-source awards can raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity for other potential vendors.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14TH STREET AND ALASKA AVE, WASHINGTON, DC, 98

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline