NIH Awards $21.4M for Biomedical Clinical Trial on Systolic Blood Pressure
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,372,433 ($21.4M)
Contractor: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2009-09-15
End Date: 2020-03-20
Contract Duration: 3,839 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 15
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: BIOMEDICAL CLINICAL TRIAL TO STUDY SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE
Place of Performance
Location: WINSTON SALEM, FORSYTH County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27157
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $21.4 million to WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES for work described as: BIOMEDICAL CLINICAL TRIAL TO STUDY SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE Key points: 1. Significant investment in critical health research. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting fair pricing. 3. Long contract duration (over 10 years) may indicate evolving research needs. 4. Focus on R&D in life sciences, a key government priority.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $21.4M over 10 years for a clinical trial appears reasonable given the scope of biomedical research. Benchmarking against similar large-scale clinical trials would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically leads to competitive pricing and ensures the best value is obtained. The price discovery process was likely robust due to multiple bidders.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting vital medical research that could lead to improved public health outcomes.
Public Impact
Advancement of medical knowledge in cardiovascular health. Potential for new treatments or interventions for high blood pressure. Supports academic research institutions and their scientific endeavors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical public health research.
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Long-term commitment to a significant health issue.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation and addressing national challenges, with significant government investment typically seen in areas like health and biotechnology.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific involvement or benefit to small businesses in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were available or utilized.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services (NIH), a primary agency for health research oversight. The long duration suggests ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements are likely in place.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration
- Potential for participant attrition in clinical trials
- Evolving scientific landscape may impact research direction
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 $21.4 million to WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES. BIOMEDICAL CLINICAL TRIAL TO STUDY SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES.
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 $21.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-09-15. End: 2020-03-20.
What specific outcomes are expected from this clinical trial, and how will success be measured?
The trial aims to study systolic blood pressure, likely seeking to understand its mechanisms, identify risk factors, or test interventions. Success metrics would typically involve achieving specific research objectives, such as demonstrating the efficacy of a new treatment, identifying key biomarkers, or providing statistically significant data on blood pressure trends. The contract's objectives and reporting requirements would detail these measures.
Given the 10-year duration, what are the primary risks associated with long-term biomedical research contracts?
Long-term biomedical research contracts face risks such as evolving scientific understanding that could render initial hypotheses obsolete, changes in regulatory requirements, participant attrition, and the potential for cost escalation due to unforeseen research challenges. Effective risk mitigation involves adaptive research protocols, robust project management, and contingency planning for scientific and operational hurdles.
How does this investment align with current public health priorities for cardiovascular disease?
This investment directly aligns with public health priorities, as cardiovascular diseases, including those related to high blood pressure, remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Funding research into systolic blood pressure is crucial for developing preventative strategies and effective treatments, contributing to the broader goal of reducing the burden of heart disease on the population.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
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: 15
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Wake Forest University (UEI: 041418799)
Address: MEDICAL CENTER BLVD, WINSTON SALEM, NC, 27157
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,372,433
Exercised Options: $21,372,433
Current Obligation: $21,372,433
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-09-15
Current End Date: 2020-03-20
Potential End Date: 2020-03-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-09-01
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