NIH awards $14.5M for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences to University of Alabama at Birmingham

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,473,287 ($14.5M)

Contractor: University of Alabama AT Birmingham

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2005-07-01

End Date: 2015-06-01

Contract Duration: 3,622 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: DESTROYERS

Place of Performance

Location: BIRMINGHAM, JEFFERSON County, ALABAMA, 35233, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $14.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM for work described as: DESTROYERS Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of over 10 years (3622 days) indicates a long-term research commitment. 3. The contract type 'COST NO FEE' suggests the government reimburses allowable costs without an additional fee to the contractor. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541710 points to significant investment in R&D services. 5. The award was made to a single entity, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, for specialized research.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables or comparable projects. The 'COST NO FEE' structure means the government covers expenses, but the total outlay of $14.5 million over a decade suggests substantial resource allocation. Further analysis would require understanding the specific research outcomes and their alignment with NIH's strategic goals to determine true value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this research and development opportunity. While multiple bids were received, the specific details of the bidding process and the nature of the research may influence the degree to which price discovery was optimized.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a more competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovative solutions. The receipt of multiple bids suggests that taxpayer funds were likely subjected to a degree of market pressure.

Public Impact

The University of Alabama at Birmingham, a key research institution, benefits from this funding to advance scientific knowledge. The contract supports research and development in critical areas of physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is primarily focused on Alabama, where the university is located, potentially fostering local scientific talent and infrastructure. The contract likely supports a workforce of researchers, technicians, and administrative staff at the university.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to cost overruns if research objectives shift or become less efficient over time.
The 'COST NO FEE' contract type might disincentivize cost control by the contractor if not rigorously monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the research.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a structured and potentially fair procurement process.
The significant funding amount suggests a commitment to important research areas with potential for high impact.
The long-term nature of the award provides stability for sustained research efforts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically NAICS code 541710, which covers R&D in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical sector for innovation and scientific advancement, often funded by government agencies like the NIH. Comparable spending in this sector can vary widely based on the specific research area and the scale of the project, but multi-year, multi-million dollar awards are common for significant scientific endeavors.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside or subcontracting goals for this contract. As a large research university, the University of Alabama at Birmingham is likely to conduct the majority of the research in-house. This contract does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Mechanisms likely include regular progress reports, financial reviews, and scientific peer review of research outcomes. Transparency would be facilitated through public research publications and NIH reporting requirements. The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction for investigating fraud, waste, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Institutes of Health Research Grants
Department of Health and Human Services Research Contracts
Federal Funding for Scientific Research
University Research Partnerships

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or changing research priorities.
Cost-reimbursement contract type requires diligent oversight to ensure cost efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $14.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM. DESTROYERS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM.

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 $14.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-07-01. End: 2015-06-01.

What specific research areas are being funded under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' under NAICS code 541710. However, the specific sub-disciplines or research projects are not detailed. Typically, NIH contracts of this nature fund a broad range of scientific inquiry, potentially including areas like biomedical engineering, materials science, computational biology, or basic science research relevant to public health. Further details would be found in the contract's statement of work or associated research proposals, which are not publicly available in this data extract.

How does the $14.5 million award compare to other similar R&D contracts awarded by NIH?

Comparing this $14.5 million award requires context on the specific research scope and duration. NIH funds a vast array of research, from small, targeted grants to large, multi-year center grants. A $14.5 million award over approximately 10 years averages to about $1.45 million per year. This falls within a common range for significant, multi-disciplinary research projects or centers of excellence funded by NIH. However, without knowing the precise research focus (e.g., basic science vs. applied development, specific disease areas), a direct comparison to 'similar' contracts is difficult. NIH's total annual budget for extramural research is in the tens of billions, indicating this award is a notable but not exceptionally large portion of their overall R&D investment.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected from this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this contract. For R&D contracts, especially those with a 'COST NO FEE' structure awarded to academic institutions, deliverables often include regular progress reports, scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at conferences, and potentially the development of new methodologies, technologies, or data sets. The ultimate success is often measured by the scientific merit and impact of the research findings, as assessed through peer review and the advancement of knowledge in the field, rather than strict, quantifiable performance metrics typical of service contracts.

What is the track record of the University of Alabama at Birmingham as a federal contractor, particularly with NIH?

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has a substantial track record as a recipient of federal research funding, particularly from the NIH. As a major academic medical center and research institution, UAB consistently secures significant grant and contract funding across various scientific disciplines. While this specific contract represents a large award, UAB's history suggests a capacity to manage complex research projects and meet federal requirements. Their success in obtaining such funding indicates a strong research infrastructure, competitive grant writing capabilities, and a history of producing valuable scientific output, making them a reliable partner for NIH's research objectives.

What is the historical spending pattern for NAICS code 541710 by the Department of Health and Human Services?

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is a major funder of research and development activities classified under NAICS code 541710. Historical spending patterns show a consistent and significant investment in this sector, reflecting the agency's mission to advance scientific understanding and improve public health. Annual outlays for 541710 by HHS typically run into the billions of dollars, supporting a wide array of basic, applied, and developmental research across universities, non-profits, and some private sector entities. This spending is crucial for addressing national health priorities and fostering innovation in the life sciences, engineering, and physical sciences.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 2600319

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: THE University of Alabama System (UEI: 808245794)

Address: 701 20TH ST SOUTH AB 990, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35294

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,698,276

Exercised Options: $19,698,276

Current Obligation: $14,473,287

Timeline