NINDS awards $29.4M contract for DNA and cell line repository services to Coriell Institute

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,352,441 ($29.4M)

Contractor: Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2008-09-30

End Date: 2019-09-29

Contract Duration: 4,016 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TAS::75 0886::TAS NINDS HUMAN GENETICS RESOURCE CENTER (DNA AND CELL LINE REPOSITORY)

Place of Performance

Location: CAMDEN, CAMDEN County, NEW JERSEY, 08103

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $29.4 million to CORIELL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: TAS::75 0886::TAS NINDS HUMAN GENETICS RESOURCE CENTER (DNA AND CELL LINE REPOSITORY) Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in life sciences, focusing on genetic resources. 2. Long-term contract duration of over 10 years suggests a need for sustained services. 3. The contract type is 'Cost No Fee', indicating reimbursement of allowable costs without a fixed profit. 4. Services provided are critical for advancing human genetics research. 5. The awardee has a long history of managing biological repositories. 6. Geographic location of the contractor is New Jersey.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's 'Cost No Fee' structure is typical for research-oriented agreements where the exact costs are difficult to predict. Benchmarking value is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contracts for similar repository services. However, the sustained funding over a decade suggests a recognized value and necessity for the services provided by the Coriell Institute.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the government selects the most capable offeror. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and prevent price gouging.

Public Impact

Researchers in human genetics benefit from access to a reliable repository of DNA and cell lines. The contract supports the National Institutes of Health (NIH) mission to advance biomedical research. Services are crucial for studies on genetic diseases and the development of new therapies. The repository contributes to the broader scientific community's ability to conduct research. Workforce implications include specialized roles in sample management, data handling, and scientific support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in 'Cost No Fee' contracts if not closely monitored.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical research resource could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Long-term contract indicates a stable and reliable service provider.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
The nature of the service (repository) is essential for ongoing research.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences and biotechnology support. The market for biological repositories is specialized, serving academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and government research agencies. The value of such services is tied to the quality of sample preservation, data management, and accessibility for researchers. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within NIH or other federal agency grants supporting similar infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses is likely minimal unless the prime contractor engages them for specific services not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the awarding agency. As a 'Cost No Fee' contract, rigorous financial oversight and performance monitoring are crucial to ensure that costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract's objectives. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific performance metrics may not always be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Grants
Biotechnology Research Support
Genomic Data Repositories
National Human Genome Research Institute Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration
Cost-reimbursement contract type ('Cost No Fee')

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $29.4 million to CORIELL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH, INC.. TAS::75 0886::TAS NINDS HUMAN GENETICS RESOURCE CENTER (DNA AND CELL LINE REPOSITORY)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CORIELL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH, INC..

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 $29.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-30. End: 2019-09-29.

What is the historical spending trend for this specific contract or similar repository services at NIH?

The provided data shows a single award of $29,352,440.90 for this contract, spanning from September 30, 2008, to September 29, 2019. This represents the total obligated amount over the contract's life. To understand historical trends, one would need to examine annual expenditures within this contract period and compare them to previous or subsequent contracts for similar services at NIH. Without access to detailed annual financial reports for this specific contract, a precise spending trend analysis is limited to the total award value. However, the consistent funding over more than 10 years suggests a stable demand and budget allocation for these critical repository services.

How does the cost per sample or per service unit compare to industry benchmarks for biological repositories?

The contract is structured as 'Cost No Fee,' which means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs incurred in performing the contract, without a predetermined profit margin. This structure makes direct per-unit cost comparisons to industry benchmarks difficult, as the focus is on cost reimbursement rather than a fixed price per service. To assess value, one would need to analyze the contractor's actual costs, compare them to the scope of services provided (e.g., number of samples managed, retrieval rates, quality control metrics), and then benchmark these cost-efficiency metrics against similar services offered by other specialized biological repositories. The absence of specific performance data and unit cost breakdowns in the provided summary limits a precise CPU analysis.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the contractor's performance under this 'Cost No Fee' agreement?

While the provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract, 'Cost No Fee' agreements typically rely on robust performance standards and deliverables. For a DNA and cell line repository, critical KPIs would likely include sample integrity and viability rates, turnaround times for sample retrieval and distribution, data accuracy and accessibility, adherence to biosafety protocols, and inventory management accuracy. The NIH contracting officers would monitor these metrics to ensure the contractor is meeting the scientific and operational requirements necessary for advancing human genetics research. Regular reporting and potential site visits would supplement KPI tracking for oversight.

What is the Coriell Institute for Medical Research's track record with federal contracts, particularly with NIH?

The Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Inc. has a long-standing history of managing biological repositories and has been a recipient of federal funding, including from the NIH, for its services. Its specialization in handling and distributing DNA and cell lines for research purposes makes it a recognized entity in this field. While this specific contract represents a significant award, the Institute's sustained operations and its role in supporting major research initiatives suggest a generally positive track record in fulfilling its mission. A deeper analysis would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and other federal contract awards to Coriell.

What are the risks associated with a long-term 'Cost No Fee' contract for essential research infrastructure?

A primary risk with 'Cost No Fee' contracts is the potential for cost escalation if not adequately managed and monitored. The government bears the risk of actual costs incurred, which could exceed initial estimates. For essential research infrastructure like a biorepository, a long-term commitment also carries the risk of vendor lock-in or potential performance degradation over time if incentives for efficiency are not properly structured. Furthermore, if the contractor faces financial instability or operational challenges, it could disrupt critical research activities dependent on the repository. Robust oversight, clear performance expectations, and contingency planning are essential to mitigate these risks.

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: BASIC RESEARCH

Solicitation ID: NIHNINDS0803

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 403 HADDON AVE, CAMDEN, NJ, 08103

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: $29,352,441

Exercised Options: $29,352,441

Current Obligation: $29,352,441

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline