NIAID awards $12.5M for HIV vaccine research and education, with a focus on marketing consulting services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,509,148 ($12.5M)

Contractor: Family Health International

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2006-09-30

End Date: 2011-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: TAS::75 0885::TAS NIAID HIV VACCINE RESEARCH EDUCATION INITIATIVE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20009

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $12.5 million to FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL for work described as: TAS::75 0885::TAS NIAID HIV VACCINE RESEARCH EDUCATION INITIATIVE Key points: 1. The contract's value of $12.5 million over five years suggests a significant investment in public health initiatives. 2. The use of a competitive delivery order indicates a structured procurement process, though specific competition details are limited. 3. The contract's duration of 1825 days (5 years) allows for sustained effort in research and education. 4. The primary service category, Marketing Consulting Services, points to a strategic approach in disseminating research findings and educational materials. 5. The contract was awarded to Family Health International, a known entity in global health, suggesting a degree of contractor reliability. 6. The contract's performance period spans a critical phase for HIV vaccine development and public health campaigns.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $12.5 million for five years of marketing consulting services related to HIV vaccine research and education appears reasonable given the scope. While direct comparisons are difficult without more specific service details, the per-year average of $2.5 million falls within expected ranges for large-scale public health communication campaigns. The contract type (Time and Materials) can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully, but the overall value seems aligned with the project's importance and duration.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' indicating that it was subject to full and open competition. This suggests that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid on the requirement. The presence of 3 bids, as indicated by 'no': 3, further supports a competitive environment. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a full and open competition typically results in more cost-effective awards, as vendors are incentivized to offer competitive pricing to win the contract. This process helps ensure that federal funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are individuals and communities at risk of HIV infection, who will receive crucial information and educational materials. The services delivered are expected to support the advancement of HIV vaccine research and promote public awareness and understanding. The geographic impact is likely broad, potentially covering national and international efforts related to HIV prevention and education. The contract may indirectly impact the public health workforce by providing them with updated information and resources for their outreach efforts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials contract type carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not closely monitored.
The effectiveness of marketing consulting services can be difficult to quantify directly, posing a potential challenge in performance assessment.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The award to Family Health International, an experienced organization, provides a positive signal regarding contractor capability.
The substantial funding allocated indicates a high priority placed on HIV vaccine research and education by the NIH.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically marketing and public relations consulting. The market for such services is vast, with numerous firms capable of supporting large-scale public health initiatives. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) frequently procures these types of services to disseminate critical health information and support research endeavors. Benchmarking against similar public health communication contracts would provide further context on the value proposition.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through this particular award is not evident. However, the prime contractor, Family Health International, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on their procurement practices and the specific needs of the project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the awarding agency. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, there are likely established reporting requirements and performance metrics. The contract's Time and Materials nature necessitates diligent monitoring of hours and costs to ensure accountability and prevent overspending. Transparency would be facilitated through contract databases and public reporting mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

NIAID HIV Vaccine Research Programs
NIH Public Health Communication Initiatives
Global Health Security and Development Programs
Marketing and Public Relations Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type risk
Effectiveness measurement of marketing services
Potential for cost overruns without strict oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $12.5 million to FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL. TAS::75 0885::TAS NIAID HIV VACCINE RESEARCH EDUCATION INITIATIVE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL.

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 $12.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-09-30. End: 2011-09-29.

What is the specific track record of Family Health International in managing large-scale public health communication contracts for the NIH or similar agencies?

Family Health International (FHI) has a long history of working on global health initiatives, including those funded by the U.S. government. While specific details on their track record with NIH for marketing consulting services on HIV vaccines are not detailed in this summary, FHI has extensive experience in program implementation, research support, and communication strategies for various health issues, including HIV/AIDS. Their work often involves community engagement, educational material development, and dissemination campaigns. A deeper dive into FHI's past performance reports and client testimonials, particularly for contracts of similar size and scope, would provide a more precise assessment of their capabilities and past successes in this specific domain.

How does the $12.5 million award compare to other federal spending on HIV vaccine research and education initiatives?

The $12.5 million award represents a significant, but not unprecedented, investment in HIV vaccine research and education. Federal spending on HIV/AIDS research, including vaccine development, is substantial, often running into hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars annually across various agencies like NIH and CDC. This particular contract focuses on the marketing and education aspect, which is a crucial component of any public health initiative but typically receives a smaller portion of the overall research budget compared to direct laboratory research or clinical trials. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze historical spending data for similar marketing and education components within broader HIV/AIDS research portfolios over the contract's five-year period.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this marketing consulting contract?

Key performance indicators for marketing consulting services in public health typically focus on reach, engagement, and impact. For this contract, potential KPIs could include the number of educational materials distributed, website traffic to HIV vaccine information portals, social media engagement rates, attendance at educational workshops or events, media impressions generated, and potentially pre- and post-campaign surveys measuring changes in public knowledge, attitudes, or behaviors related to HIV prevention and vaccine awareness. The specific KPIs would be defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and would be crucial for assessing the contractor's performance and the overall effectiveness of the campaign.

What is the risk assessment associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this project?

The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, used here, carries a moderate to high risk for cost overruns if not managed diligently. In a T&M contract, the government pays the contractor for the actual labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials used. The primary risk is that the contractor may not be incentivized to control costs as effectively as they would be under a fixed-price contract. To mitigate this risk, the contracting agency (NIH) must implement robust oversight, including detailed tracking of hours, verification of material costs, and regular performance reviews to ensure that the work is progressing efficiently and that the costs incurred are reasonable and allocable to the contract's objectives. The 'br': 6854 value might represent a ceiling or estimated cost, which requires careful monitoring.

How does the geographic location of the contractor (District of Columbia) influence the execution of this national/international HIV vaccine education initiative?

The contractor's location in the District of Columbia (DC) is noted ('st': 'DC', 'sn': 'DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA'). While the prime contractor might be based in DC, the nature of marketing and public health education initiatives, especially concerning HIV vaccine research, often requires a national or even global reach. The DC location could be advantageous for proximity to federal agencies and policymakers, facilitating communication and coordination. However, the execution of the actual outreach, material distribution, and educational programs would likely involve activities far beyond DC, potentially requiring the establishment of regional offices, partnerships with local organizations, or extensive travel. The effectiveness of the program's geographic impact will depend more on the contractor's operational strategy and network than solely on their headquarters' location.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 359 BLACKWELL ST STE 200, DURHAM, NC, 27701

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: $12,527,557

Exercised Options: $12,509,148

Current Obligation: $12,509,148

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F0007M

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline