NIH awards $19.2M for Biotechnology R&D to University of Washington over 7 years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,212,117 ($19.2M)
Contractor: University of Washington
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2008-09-26
End Date: 2015-11-17
Contract Duration: 2,608 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 18
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: BIOMEDICAL (APPLIED/EXPLORATORY)
Place of Performance
Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98195
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $19.2 million to UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON for work described as: BIOMEDICAL (APPLIED/EXPLORATORY) Key points: 1. Significant investment in applied/exploratory biomedical research. 2. University of Washington is a leading research institution. 3. Long contract duration (2008-2015) suggests a complex, multi-phase project. 4. Focus on Biotechnology R&D aligns with national health priorities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract type is 'COST NO FEE', which is common for research and development where costs are reimbursed but no profit is made. The award amount of $19.2M over 7 years averages to approximately $2.7M annually, which seems reasonable for a significant R&D project.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust process to solicit bids from qualified entities. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed towards critical biomedical research, potentially leading to advancements in health and disease treatment.
Public Impact
Supports advancements in biotechnology with potential long-term health benefits. Investment in a prominent research university fosters innovation and scientific discovery. The research could lead to new diagnostic tools, therapies, or medical technologies.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 73 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Focus on a critical R&D area.
- Partnership with a reputable research institution.
Sector Analysis
Biotechnology R&D is a specialized sector within the broader scientific research and development landscape. Spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the highly variable nature of research projects, but this award appears substantial for a single contract.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to a large research institution (University of Washington) and does not appear to involve small business participation as a prime contractor. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not detailed in this data.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a well-established agency with robust oversight mechanisms for research grants and contracts. The 'COST NO FEE' structure implies financial controls are in place.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in Biotechnology
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
- Potential for cost overruns in R&D projects.
- Limited insight into small business involvement.
Tags
research-and-development-in-biotechnolog, department-of-health-and-human-services, wa, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $19.2 million to UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON. BIOMEDICAL (APPLIED/EXPLORATORY)
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 $19.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-09-26. End: 2015-11-17.
What specific research outcomes or milestones were achieved during the contract period?
The provided data does not detail specific research outcomes or milestones. Further investigation into NIH's project reports or the University of Washington's research publications from 2008-2015 would be necessary to assess the tangible scientific or medical advancements resulting from this funding.
Were there any significant cost variances or budget adjustments throughout the contract's lifecycle?
The 'COST NO FEE' contract type suggests that the government reimburses the university for actual costs incurred. While the total award was $19.2M, the exact spending pattern and any potential budget adjustments would require access to detailed financial reports from the NIH and the University of Washington.
How did the research conducted under this contract compare to other similar R&D efforts funded by NIH?
Benchmarking this specific contract against other NIH-funded R&D requires a comparative analysis of research scope, methodologies, and achieved outcomes. Without access to detailed project descriptions and performance metrics for other comparable contracts, it's challenging to definitively assess its relative effectiveness or innovation.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in 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: 18
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1959 NE PACIFIC, SEATTLE, WA, 98195
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $33,020,371
Exercised Options: $19,212,117
Current Obligation: $19,212,117
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-09-26
Current End Date: 2015-11-17
Potential End Date: 2015-11-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-11-20
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