NIH Funds $25.8M Epilepsy Therapeutics Research at University of Utah Over 11 Years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,854,741 ($25.9M)
Contractor: University of Utah
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2004-07-30
End Date: 2015-02-27
Contract Duration: 3,864 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL THERAPEUTICS FOR THE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF EPILEPSY
Place of Performance
Location: SALT LAKE CITY, SALT LAKE County, UTAH, 84112
State: Utah Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $25.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF UTAH for work described as: IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL THERAPEUTICS FOR THE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF EPILEPSY Key points: 1. Significant long-term investment in a critical health area. 2. Focus on novel therapeutics suggests potential for breakthrough treatments. 3. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and price discovery. 4. Research and Development sector, particularly in life sciences, is a key government spending area.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract was awarded on a 'Cost No Fee' basis, which prioritizes research completion over strict cost control. Without comparable contracts, assessing the value is difficult, but the duration and scope suggest a substantial investment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This was a sole-source award, meaning there was no open competition. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs than a competitive process would yield. The justification for sole-source is not provided.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed to a single entity without competitive pressure, potentially leading to less efficient use of resources.
Public Impact
Potential for new epilepsy treatments impacting millions of patients. Investment in cutting-edge biomedical research. Long-term funding supports sustained scientific inquiry and development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type (Cost No Fee)
Positive Signals
- Addresses a significant public health need
- Long-term funding commitment
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically life sciences. Government spending in this area aims to foster innovation and address societal challenges, with benchmarks varying widely based on research scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses. The primary contractor is a university, suggesting large-scale research operations rather than small business engagement.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'Cost No Fee' award type and sole-source nature warrant scrutiny. Oversight would focus on ensuring research progress aligns with funding and that the lack of competition was indeed justified.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost No Fee contract type may reduce cost control incentives.
- Lack of clear performance metrics in provided data.
- Long contract duration without stated competitive re-evaluation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, ut, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $25.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF UTAH. IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL THERAPEUTICS FOR THE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF EPILEPSY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF UTAH.
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 $25.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-07-30. End: 2015-02-27.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?
The justification for a sole-source award is critical for understanding why competition was bypassed. Without this information, it's impossible to fully assess if taxpayer funds were used efficiently. Agencies typically require detailed justifications, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs, to deviate from competitive procurement.
How does the 'Cost No Fee' structure impact the government's ability to control expenditures and ensure value for money in this long-term research project?
A 'Cost No Fee' contract reimburses the contractor for allowable costs but does not include a fixed profit. While it can facilitate research by removing financial risk for the performer, it offers less incentive for cost efficiency compared to fixed-price contracts. Oversight is crucial to monitor spending and ensure research objectives are met within allocated budgets.
What are the measurable outcomes and milestones expected from this $25.8 million investment in epilepsy therapeutics research?
Defining clear, measurable outcomes and milestones is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of this significant R&D investment. Without specific performance metrics tied to the contract, it's challenging to assess whether the funding is yielding the desired advancements in epilepsy treatment and prevention.
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: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 201 PRESIDENTS CIR RM 408, SALT LAKE CITY, UT, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,854,741
Exercised Options: $25,854,741
Current Obligation: $25,854,741
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-07-30
Current End Date: 2015-02-27
Potential End Date: 2015-02-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-02-27
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