NIH Awards $168M Contract to Icahn School of Medicine for Biodefense Immunity Modeling
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,812,225 ($16.8M)
Contractor: Icahn School of Medicine AT Mount Sinai
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2005-09-29
End Date: 2010-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MODELING IMMUNITY FOR BIODEFENSE
Place of Performance
Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10029
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $16.8 million to ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI for work described as: MODELING IMMUNITY FOR BIODEFENSE Key points: 1. Significant investment in biodefense research, focusing on modeling immunity. 2. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process. 3. Long-term contract (5 years) indicates a sustained need for this research. 4. Potential for breakthroughs in understanding and combating biological threats.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract type is 'COST NO FEE', which is common for research and development where costs are reimbursed but no profit is made. The award amount of $168M over 5 years suggests a substantial but potentially reasonable investment for the scope of R&D.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being invested in critical biodefense research, aiming to enhance national security and public health preparedness.
Public Impact
Enhances national security by advancing biodefense capabilities. Supports cutting-edge scientific research in immunology and infectious diseases. Potential to develop new strategies for vaccines and treatments against biological threats. Fosters collaboration between government and academic research institutions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Research scope may be broad and subject to evolving scientific understanding.
- Long-term nature of the contract requires continuous monitoring of progress and relevance.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical national security need.
- Utilizes a competitive award process.
- Focuses on fundamental scientific advancement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (NAICS 541710). Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation and addressing complex challenges like biodefense, with significant government investment typically seen in areas with high societal impact.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract. Full and open competition allows for participation, but the nature of large-scale R&D contracts often favors established research institutions.
Oversight & Accountability
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard government oversight mechanisms for R&D contracts, including progress reports and milestone reviews, would be in place to ensure accountability and effective use of funds.
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
- Long-term commitment of funds.
- Complexity of biological systems and R&D uncertainty.
- Potential for scope creep in research.
- Reliance on scientific breakthroughs.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, ny, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $16.8 million to ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI. MODELING IMMUNITY FOR BIODEFENSE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI.
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 $16.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-09-29. End: 2010-09-29.
What specific biological threats does this immunity modeling aim to address, and how will the research translate into actionable biodefense strategies?
The research likely focuses on understanding the complex immune responses to various pathogens relevant to biodefense, such as viruses and bacteria. The goal is to identify key immunological mechanisms that confer protection or susceptibility. This knowledge can then inform the development of novel vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostic tools, ultimately strengthening the nation's preparedness and response capabilities against biological attacks or naturally occurring outbreaks.
Given the 'COST NO FEE' contract type, what are the primary mechanisms for ensuring the research remains on track and delivers value without a profit motive driving efficiency?
The 'COST NO FEE' structure is typical for basic research where outcomes are uncertain. Value is ensured through rigorous scientific oversight by NIH program managers, adherence to detailed research plans and milestones, regular progress reporting, and peer review of findings. The absence of a fee shifts the focus from profit to scientific advancement and fulfilling the research objectives outlined in the contract.
How will the effectiveness of the immunity modeling be measured, and what are the key performance indicators for this long-term R&D effort?
Effectiveness will likely be measured by the scientific validity and impact of the research findings, such as publications in high-impact journals, successful prediction of immune responses, and the development of novel hypotheses or experimental models. Key performance indicators could include the successful completion of research phases, the generation of predictive models that are validated experimentally, and the contribution of the research to broader biodefense initiatives and public health preparedness goals.
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
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Mount Sinai Hospital
Address: 1 GUSTAVE L LEVY PL, NEW YORK, NY, 10029
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,517,489
Exercised Options: $20,310,652
Current Obligation: $16,812,225
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-09-29
Current End Date: 2010-09-29
Potential End Date: 2010-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-11-23
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