NIH awards $33.3M for Centralized Omics Resource (CORE) to Baylor College of Medicine under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,282,900 ($33.3M)

Contractor: Baylor College of Medicine

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2016-09-26

End Date: 2018-06-25

Contract Duration: 637 days

Daily Burn Rate: $52.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF CENTRALIZED OMICS RESOURCE (CORE)

Place of Performance

Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77030

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $33.3 million to BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF CENTRALIZED OMICS RESOURCE (CORE) Key points: 1. The contract supports a critical research infrastructure for omics data. 2. Baylor College of Medicine is a leading research institution, suggesting strong technical capability. 3. The firm fixed-price contract type helps control costs. 4. The award falls within the broader IT and Healthcare sectors due to its data-intensive nature.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $33.3M over approximately two years appears reasonable for a centralized omics resource, given the complexity and specialized nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale bioinformatics or data management contracts would provide further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to yield fair pricing, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds invested in this research resource.

Public Impact

Enhances national biomedical research capabilities by providing centralized omics data services. Supports researchers across various institutions by offering access to advanced genomic and proteomic analysis. Potential for breakthroughs in understanding diseases and developing new treatments through integrated data analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if research needs evolve significantly.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical data infrastructure.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits cost overruns.
Award to a reputable institution suggests high-quality service delivery.
Full and open competition ensures market-driven pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the scientific research and development sector, specifically focusing on bioinformatics and data management for omics research. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing biomedical science and public health.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific subcontracting goals or participation by small businesses in this particular award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the supply chain or as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a primary agency for biomedical research funding. Standard NIH oversight processes for research grants and contracts would apply, focusing on scientific progress and financial accountability.

Related Government Programs

Testing Laboratories and Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in.
Dependence on a single entity for critical research infrastructure.
Risk of service disruption impacting multiple research projects.
Scope creep potential in a rapidly evolving research field.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $33.3 million to BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. IGF::OT::IGF CENTRALIZED OMICS RESOURCE (CORE)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE.

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 $33.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-26. End: 2018-06-25.

What is the projected impact of the CORE resource on the speed and cost of biomedical research discoveries?

The CORE resource is expected to significantly accelerate biomedical research by providing standardized, accessible omics data and analysis tools. This centralization can reduce redundant efforts and lower individual research project costs associated with data generation and processing. The long-term impact could be faster translation of research findings into clinical applications, though quantifying the exact speed and cost savings is complex and depends on usage patterns and subsequent discoveries.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on Baylor College of Medicine for this centralized resource?

Key risks include potential vendor lock-in, where transitioning to another provider later could be costly and disruptive. There's also a risk of service degradation or failure if Baylor faces internal challenges (e.g., funding, staffing, technical issues). Furthermore, if the resource becomes indispensable, any interruption in service could halt or significantly delay numerous research projects dependent on it, impacting the broader scientific community.

How effectively does the firm fixed-price contract manage potential cost escalations given the evolving nature of omics research?

The firm fixed-price contract provides a strong baseline for cost control, as the price is set upfront. However, the evolving nature of omics research presents a challenge. If the scope of work needs to expand significantly beyond the initial contract's definition to accommodate new research needs or technologies, change orders could lead to cost increases. Effective management requires clear initial scope definition and a robust process for evaluating and approving any necessary modifications.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: NHLBICSBHV201636JES

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: ONE BAYLOR PLAZA, HOUSTON, TX, 77030

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,282,900

Exercised Options: $33,282,900

Current Obligation: $33,282,900

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN268201600033I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline