Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center awarded $49.7M for women's health research, a significant investment in life sciences

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $49,681,704 ($49.7M)

Contractor: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2016-04-01

End Date: 2021-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,766 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF WOMEN'S HEALTH INITIATIVE - CLINICAL COORDINATING CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98109

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $49.7 million to FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF WOMEN'S HEALTH INITIATIVE - CLINICAL COORDINATING CENTER Key points: 1. The contract focuses on critical women's health research, aligning with national health priorities. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market for these specialized research services. 3. The contract type (Cost No Fee) indicates that the government reimburses allowable costs without a fixed profit margin, potentially managing risk for complex research. 4. The duration of the contract (1766 days) suggests a long-term commitment to the research objectives. 5. The award to a prominent research institution highlights the government's reliance on established expertise for complex scientific endeavors. 6. The specific NAICS code (541712) points to a specialized segment within the R&D sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $49.7 million over nearly five years represents a substantial investment in women's health research. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale, multi-year research grants or contracts within the life sciences sector would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the Cost No Fee contract type suggests a focus on covering research expenses rather than a fixed price, which is common for R&D where outcomes can be uncertain. The absence of a fixed profit margin may indicate a focus on maximizing research funding.

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. This competitive process is generally expected to yield fair market pricing and encourage innovation. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation implies a healthy level of interest and capability within the research community for this type of work.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives efficiency and potentially lower costs through market forces, ensuring that federal funds are used effectively for critical research.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include women who will gain from advancements in health understanding and treatment. The services delivered are critical clinical coordinating center functions for a major women's health initiative. The geographic impact is national, supporting a large-scale research study. Workforce implications include employment for researchers, clinicians, and support staff at the awardee institution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in long-term research projects if not closely monitored.
Reliance on a single institution for critical coordinating functions could pose a risk if institutional capacity is strained.

Positive Signals

Award to a reputable research institution with a proven track record.
Full and open competition suggests a well-defined scope and market readiness.
The Cost No Fee structure aligns costs directly with research activities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) sector, specifically NAICS code 541712. This is a highly specialized area focused on scientific research and experimentation. The market for such services is typically dominated by academic institutions, non-profit research organizations, and specialized R&D firms. Federal spending in this sector is crucial for driving innovation and addressing complex societal challenges, such as public health.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the nature of large-scale, complex research coordination, it is likely that the prime contractor, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, will manage the contract. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist for specialized services, but this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The primary focus appears to be on the core research capabilities of the awardee.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the awarding agency. Mechanisms likely include regular progress reports, financial reviews, and site visits to ensure compliance with research protocols and budget adherence. The Cost No Fee structure necessitates careful monitoring of allowable costs. Transparency is generally maintained through public reporting of research findings and contract award data.

Related Government Programs

National Institutes of Health Research Grants
Women's Health Initiatives
Clinical Trials Coordination
Biomedical Research Funding

Risk Flags

Long-term research contract duration
Cost No Fee contract type requires close financial oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $49.7 million to FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER. IGF::CL::IGF WOMEN'S HEALTH INITIATIVE - CLINICAL COORDINATING CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER.

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 $49.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-04-01. End: 2021-01-31.

What is the historical spending pattern of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on women's health research initiatives?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a primary source of federal funding for biomedical research, including significant investment in women's health. Historically, NIH has allocated substantial resources to understanding diseases and conditions that disproportionately affect women or manifest differently in women. Specific initiatives, like the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), have received multi-year funding commitments, often in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, to support large-scale, long-term studies. Spending patterns can fluctuate based on emerging health priorities, scientific breakthroughs, and congressional appropriations. Analyzing NIH's budget justifications and program announcements reveals a consistent, albeit variable, focus on advancing women's health research across various institutes and centers within the NIH.

How does the value of this contract compare to other large R&D contracts awarded by the NIH?

The $49.7 million awarded to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is a significant sum, indicative of a major research undertaking. The NIH frequently awards large contracts and grants for complex R&D projects, particularly those involving multi-year clinical trials or large-scale data coordination. Contracts in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars are not uncommon for major federal research initiatives. For instance, other large-scale epidemiological studies, cancer research centers, or drug development programs funded by NIH often fall within or exceed this range. The specific value is commensurate with the scope of coordinating a national women's health initiative, suggesting it is within the expected range for such critical, long-term scientific endeavors.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) likely used to assess the success of this contract?

For a contract focused on a Women's Health Initiative clinical coordinating center, key performance indicators (KPIs) would likely revolve around the successful execution of research protocols, data integrity, participant recruitment and retention, and timely reporting. Specific KPIs might include: adherence to study timelines, number of participants enrolled and retained, quality and completeness of data collected, compliance with regulatory and ethical standards, efficiency of communication among study sites, and the timely dissemination of research findings. The 'Cost No Fee' structure also implies that financial management and adherence to budget will be critical performance metrics, ensuring that funds are used efficiently for research objectives.

What is the track record of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in managing large federal research grants?

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Fred Hutch) has a well-established and extensive track record in managing large-scale federal research grants, particularly from agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As a leading cancer research institution, it consistently secures significant funding for a wide array of research programs, including clinical trials, basic science, and public health initiatives. Fred Hutch is known for its expertise in areas such as cancer, infectious diseases, and public health sciences. Its history includes managing complex, multi-year projects that require robust administrative and scientific oversight, making it a highly credible recipient for substantial federal research awards like this Women's Health Initiative contract.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'Cost No Fee' contract for R&D?

A 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract, while common in R&D, carries specific risks. The primary risk for the government is that the contractor may not have a strong financial incentive to control costs beyond ensuring allowable expenses are met, as profit is not tied to performance or cost savings. This can potentially lead to higher overall expenditures if not managed diligently. For the contractor, the risk lies in absorbing unexpected cost increases that exceed the estimated budget, as they are reimbursed for allowable costs but do not earn a profit. Effective oversight and rigorous auditing of expenditures are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

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

Solicitation ID: NHLBICSBWH201602CM

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1100 FAIRVIEW AVE N J6-300, SEATTLE, WA, 98109

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $60,294,852

Exercised Options: $49,681,704

Current Obligation: $49,681,704

Actual Outlays: $133,435

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline