NIH Spends $19.4M on Simian Vaccine Research with University of Washington

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,938,605 ($19.9M)

Contractor: University of Washington

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2006-06-22

End Date: 2014-06-21

Contract Duration: 2,921 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SIMIAN VACCINE EVALUATION UNIT (SVEU)

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98105

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $19.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON for work described as: SIMIAN VACCINE EVALUATION UNIT (SVEU) Key points: 1. Significant investment in vaccine research for simian diseases. 2. University of Washington is a key player in this specialized research area. 3. Long contract duration (8 years) suggests a complex, multi-phase project. 4. Focus on R&D in life sciences, a critical but often high-risk sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's cost-plus-no-fee structure for R&D can be difficult to benchmark against similar contracts due to inherent research uncertainties and variable costs. The total award of $19.4M over 8 years averages to approximately $2.4M annually, which may be reasonable for specialized biological research.

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 specific pricing mechanisms for cost-plus-no-fee contracts can make direct price discovery challenging compared to fixed-price awards.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting critical vaccine research, with the potential for significant public health benefits if successful. The competitive award process aims to ensure reasonable allocation of these funds.

Public Impact

Supports development of vaccines against simian diseases, potentially benefiting human health through zoonotic disease prevention. Invests in advanced scientific research capabilities at a leading university. Long-term funding commitment allows for sustained research efforts and potential breakthroughs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-no-fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
Long duration may indicate potential for scope creep or evolving research needs.
Reliance on a single institution for such a critical research area.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports a critical area of public health research.
Long-term funding provides stability for research.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector (NAICS 541710). Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but often involves high uncertainty and long development cycles. Benchmarks are difficult due to the specialized nature of R&D projects.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to the University of Washington, a large research institution, and there is no indication of small business participation in this specific award. The nature of this specialized research may not lend itself to subcontracting with small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a reputable agency with established oversight mechanisms for research grants and contracts. The long duration necessitates ongoing monitoring of progress and expenditures.

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

Cost-plus-no-fee contract
Long contract duration (8 years)
High R&D uncertainty
Sole awardee is a large institution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $19.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON. SIMIAN VACCINE EVALUATION UNIT (SVEU)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON.

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 $19.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-06-22. End: 2014-06-21.

What specific simian diseases is the vaccine targeting, and what is the potential public health impact?

The specific simian diseases targeted are not detailed in the provided data. However, research into simian diseases is crucial due to the potential for zoonotic transmission to humans (e.g., Simian Immunodeficiency Virus - SIV, related to HIV). Successful vaccine development could prevent outbreaks, protect primate populations, and safeguard human health by mitigating risks of novel pathogen emergence.

What are the primary risks associated with the cost-plus-no-fee contract structure for this long-term R&D project?

The primary risks with a cost-plus-no-fee structure in long-term R&D include potential for cost overruns if research proves more expensive than anticipated, and challenges in ensuring efficient resource utilization without a direct profit incentive tied to cost savings. The government bears the financial risk of research expenses, requiring robust oversight to manage expenditures effectively.

How will the effectiveness of the vaccine research be measured and validated over the 8-year contract period?

Effectiveness measurement will likely involve a phased approach, starting with in-vitro and in-vivo preclinical studies within the university's labs. Milestones would be set for achieving specific research objectives, such as demonstrating immune response in animal models. Regular progress reports and potential peer reviews by NIH scientists or external experts would validate the research's scientific merit and progress towards vaccine efficacy.

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: 6

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4311 11TH AVE NE STE 600, SEATTLE, WA, 98105

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,435,112

Exercised Options: $19,938,605

Current Obligation: $19,938,605

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline