NIH Awards $29.5M for NHLBI DNA Resequencing and Genotyping Services to University of Washington

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,541,682 ($29.5M)

Contractor: University of Washington

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2011-06-01

End Date: 2017-02-28

Contract Duration: 2,099 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NHLBI DNA RESEQUENCING AND GENOTYPING SERVICE: LABORATORY CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98105

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $29.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON for work described as: NHLBI DNA RESEQUENCING AND GENOTYPING SERVICE: LABORATORY CENTER Key points: 1. The contract supports critical research in genetics and life sciences. 2. University of Washington is the sole awardee for this definitive contract. 3. The contract duration is substantial, spanning over 6 years. 4. Spending falls within the Research and Development sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is 'Cost No Fee', which can make direct value assessment challenging without further performance metrics. The total award amount of $29.5M over nearly 7 years suggests a significant investment in research infrastructure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method is generally expected to yield fair pricing, though the 'Cost No Fee' structure requires careful monitoring of expenditures.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting advanced genetic research, which has the potential for long-term public health benefits, but direct cost-effectiveness is difficult to quantify at this stage.

Public Impact

Supports cutting-edge genetic research crucial for understanding diseases. Enhances the nation's capacity for large-scale DNA analysis. Potential for breakthroughs in personalized medicine and public health. University of Washington's expertise is leveraged for national research goals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration may lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes value assessment difficult.
Reliance on a single institution for a critical service.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports a vital area of scientific research.
Leverages established expertise at a leading research institution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending benchmarks for similar large-scale genetic sequencing and genotyping services can vary widely based on technological advancements and scope, but this award appears substantial for the period.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to a large research institution. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically involve regular reviews of research progress, budget adherence, and adherence to scientific protocols by NIH. The 'Cost No Fee' structure necessitates robust financial oversight to ensure funds are used appropriately.

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 increases risk of scope creep or changing research needs.
Cost-reimbursement nature requires diligent financial oversight.
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data hinders detailed value assessment.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized nature of services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $29.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON. NHLBI DNA RESEQUENCING AND GENOTYPING SERVICE: LABORATORY CENTER

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 $29.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-06-01. End: 2017-02-28.

What specific scientific outcomes or deliverables are expected from this contract, and how will they be measured to ensure value for money?

The contract likely expects the generation of significant DNA sequence data and genotyping results to support various NHLBI research projects. Measurement of value would involve assessing the quality, quantity, and timely delivery of this data, as well as its contribution to scientific publications and advancements in understanding cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases.

Given the long duration and 'Cost No Fee' structure, what are the primary financial risks to the government, and how are they mitigated?

The primary financial risks include potential cost overruns if research proves more complex or expensive than anticipated, and the possibility of inefficient resource allocation. Mitigation strategies would involve stringent financial reporting requirements, periodic budget reviews, and clear milestones for research progress to ensure accountability and control spending.

How does the University of Washington's performance on similar contracts inform the assessment of this award's effectiveness?

Effectiveness is presumed based on the university's established track record in genomics and large-scale research projects. A review of their past performance, including timely delivery, data quality, and scientific impact of previous grants or contracts, would provide a strong basis for assessing the likely effectiveness of this current award.

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: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4333 BROOKLYN AVE NE, SEATTLE, WA, 98195

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: $29,541,682

Exercised Options: $29,541,682

Current Obligation: $29,541,682

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline