NIAID awards $42.1M for influenza research, spanning a decade of surveillance and development

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $42,125,109 ($42.1M)

Contractor: Icahn School of Medicine AT Mount Sinai

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2007-03-30

End Date: 2017-05-23

Contract Duration: 3,707 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 22

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NIAID CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR INFLUENZA RESEARCH AND SURVEILLANCE

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 $42.1 million to ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI for work described as: NIAID CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR INFLUENZA RESEARCH AND SURVEILLANCE Key points: 1. Contract value represents significant, long-term investment in critical public health infrastructure. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust market for these specialized research services. 3. Contract duration of nearly 10 years indicates a stable, ongoing need for influenza research. 4. The awardee, Icahn School of Medicine, is a recognized leader in biomedical research. 5. Spending is concentrated in New York, highlighting regional expertise in this field. 6. This contract supports foundational research and development, crucial for pandemic preparedness.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $42.1 million over approximately 10 years averages to about $4.2 million annually. This appears reasonable for a large-scale, multi-year research initiative involving a Centers of Excellence. Benchmarking against similar large federal research grants for infectious diseases suggests this level of funding is within expected parameters for establishing and maintaining specialized research centers.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. With 22 proposals received, this suggests a healthy level of interest and a competitive environment for securing this significant research funding. The open competition likely contributed to achieving a fair price for the services rendered.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that helps ensure the government receives the best value for its investment in critical influenza research.

Public Impact

The public benefits from enhanced understanding and preparedness for influenza outbreaks and potential pandemics. Services delivered include advanced research, surveillance, and development of countermeasures against influenza. Geographic impact is primarily centered in New York, leveraging the expertise of the awardee. Workforce implications include support for researchers, technicians, and administrative staff at the awardee institution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to potential complacency if not actively managed.
Concentration of funding in one institution may limit broader geographic distribution of research capacity.
Reliance on a single 'Center of Excellence' model might be vulnerable to institutional challenges.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition indicates a strong market response and potential for innovation.
Awardee's established track record in biomedical research suggests a high likelihood of successful outcomes.
Long-term funding provides stability for sustained research efforts and complex projects.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences and public health. The market for infectious disease research is substantial, driven by ongoing public health needs and government funding priorities. Comparable spending benchmarks would include other large grants awarded by NIH and CDC for infectious disease surveillance and research, which often run into tens of millions of dollars over several years.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have explicit subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. Given the nature of advanced research centers, the primary awardee is likely a large institution. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist for smaller, specialized research firms or service providers within the broader ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through program managers and scientific review panels. Accountability measures would include regular progress reports, milestone achievements, and adherence to research protocols. Transparency is generally maintained through public reporting of research findings and grant award details, though specific internal oversight mechanisms are not detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Grants
CDC Influenza Surveillance Programs
Biomedical Research and Development
Public Health Infrastructure Funding
Centers of Excellence Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration
Potential for institutional dependency
Research focus concentration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $42.1 million to ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI. NIAID CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR INFLUENZA RESEARCH AND SURVEILLANCE

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 $42.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-03-30. End: 2017-05-23.

What is the historical spending trend for influenza research at NIAID?

Historical spending data for NIAID's influenza research would provide context for the $42.1 million award. Analyzing past funding levels, award sizes, and the number of active influenza research projects over the last decade or more would reveal whether this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. Trends might indicate shifts in research priorities, emerging threats, or the success of previous research initiatives. Without specific historical spending figures, it's difficult to definitively benchmark this award against past NIAID efforts, but the 10-year duration suggests a sustained commitment.

How does the performance of Icahn School of Medicine compare to other major recipients of NIH grants for infectious disease research?

Assessing Icahn School of Medicine's performance requires examining their track record with NIH grants, particularly in infectious diseases. Key metrics would include publication rates, citation impact, successful translation of research findings (e.g., new diagnostics, treatments, vaccines), and the ability to secure follow-on funding. Comparing these outcomes against peer institutions receiving similar large-scale grants from NIH would provide a benchmark for their effectiveness. While the 'Centers of Excellence' designation implies a high level of expected performance, a detailed comparative analysis of scientific output and impact is necessary for a full evaluation.

What are the primary risks associated with a long-term, sole-source-like (though competed) contract for specialized research?

While this contract was competed, its long duration (nearly 10 years) and focus on a specific 'Center of Excellence' model present certain risks. One risk is potential 'vendor lock-in,' where the government becomes heavily reliant on one institution's capabilities, making it difficult to pivot or incorporate new approaches if the chosen center underperforms or faces unforeseen challenges. Another risk is the potential for reduced innovation over time if competition is not continually fostered through follow-on efforts or if the awardee's research direction becomes too narrowly focused. Ensuring robust oversight and performance metrics are critical to mitigate these risks.

What specific advancements or public health impacts have resulted from previous NIAID Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research?

The impact of NIAID's Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research is measured by their contributions to understanding influenza viruses, improving surveillance methods, developing better diagnostic tools, and advancing vaccine and therapeutic strategies. Specific advancements could include the identification of novel viral mechanisms, the development of more effective vaccine candidates, improved predictive models for flu seasons, or enhanced rapid response capabilities during outbreaks. Public health impacts are seen in reduced morbidity and mortality from influenza, better preparedness for pandemics, and more informed public health policy decisions related to influenza control.

How does the $42.1M total award compare to the annual budget of the CDC's influenza division?

Comparing the $42.1 million total award to the CDC's annual influenza division budget provides perspective on its relative scale. The CDC's influenza budget typically encompasses a broader range of activities, including national surveillance, public health guidance, vaccine recommendations, and outbreak response coordination across the US. NIAID's funding, focused on research and development through Centers of Excellence, represents a significant investment in the scientific foundation supporting these public health efforts. While the CDC's overall budget might be larger, this specific NIAID award highlights a substantial commitment to deep scientific inquiry in a critical area.

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 › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 22

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mount Sinai Health System, Inc.

Address: 1 GUSTAVE L LEVY PRICE, NEW YORK, NY, 10029

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $42,132,619

Exercised Options: $42,132,619

Current Obligation: $42,125,109

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline