NIH awards $12.6M for International Clinical Sciences Support to Family Health International over 7 years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,576,487 ($12.6M)
Contractor: Family Health International
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2005-09-01
End Date: 2012-08-31
Contract Duration: 2,556 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL SCIENCES SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27713
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $12.6 million to FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL for work described as: INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL SCIENCES SUPPORT Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $12.6M awarded over a 7-year period. 2. Family Health International is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 4. Awarded by the National Institutes of Health, a major federal research agency.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is 'COST NO FEE', indicating that the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs but receives no fee. This is common for research and development contracts where the outcome is uncertain. Benchmarking per-unit cost is not applicable due to the nature of the contract.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the data only shows one awardee, Family Health International. Further investigation may be needed to confirm the extent of competition and its impact on price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for research and development, which can have long-term benefits but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.
Public Impact
Supports international clinical research, potentially leading to advancements in global health. The long duration of the contract suggests a sustained commitment to a specific research area. Funding for research and development can stimulate innovation and economic growth in related sectors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of transparency on specific deliverables and outcomes.
- Potential for cost overruns in long-term R&D projects.
- Limited information on the specific impact of the research.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical international health research.
- Long-term commitment to a research area.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Federal spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement and innovation, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific research field and agency.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific involvement or set-aside for small businesses in this contract. The primary awardee is Family Health International, which is likely a larger organization. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health, a reputable agency with established oversight mechanisms for research grants and contracts. However, the long duration necessitates ongoing monitoring to ensure adherence to objectives and responsible 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 contract duration increases risk of cost escalation and scope creep.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes effectiveness difficult to assess.
- Potential for limited transparency in R&D spending.
- Sole awardee raises questions about the extent of competition achieved.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, nc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $12.6 million to FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL. INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL SCIENCES SUPPORT
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 $12.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-09-01. End: 2012-08-31.
What specific clinical research areas does this contract support, and what are the expected outcomes?
The contract, 'INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL SCIENCES SUPPORT,' awarded to Family Health International by NIH, likely focuses on a broad range of international clinical research initiatives. Without specific task orders or detailed project descriptions, the exact research areas and expected outcomes remain unspecified. This lack of detail makes it difficult to assess the direct impact and value derived from the $12.6 million investment.
Given the 'COST NO FEE' contract type and the 7-year duration, what are the primary risks associated with cost control and project scope creep?
The 'COST NO FEE' structure, while common for R&D, carries inherent risks. The primary risk is cost control, as the government reimburses allowable costs without a fixed profit margin, potentially leading to higher-than-expected expenditures. Project scope creep is another significant risk over a 7-year period, where research objectives may expand or shift, increasing costs and potentially delaying or altering the intended outcomes without adequate justification or oversight.
How effectively does this contract leverage Family Health International's expertise to achieve its stated research goals, and what metrics are used to measure success?
The effectiveness of this contract hinges on Family Health International's demonstrated expertise in international clinical sciences and the metrics employed by NIH to track progress. While FHI is a known entity in global health, the provided data lacks details on specific performance metrics, milestones, or evaluation frameworks. Assessing effectiveness requires understanding how FHI's capabilities align with the contract's objectives and the rigor of NIH's monitoring and evaluation processes.
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: NIHNIAIDDMID0507
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2224 CHAPEL HILL-NELSON HIGHWAY, DURHAM, NC, 27713
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $30,609,583
Exercised Options: $22,657,128
Current Obligation: $12,576,487
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-09-01
Current End Date: 2012-08-31
Potential End Date: 2012-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-01-20
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