NIAID awards $20.5M for Virology Quality Assurance to Rush University Medical Center
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,506,319 ($20.5M)
Contractor: Rush University Medical Center
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2012-09-21
End Date: 2019-09-20
Contract Duration: 2,555 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF "NIAID VIROLOGY QUALITY ASSURANCE"
Place of Performance
Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60612
State: Illinois Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $20.5 million to RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF "NIAID VIROLOGY QUALITY ASSURANCE" Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Rush University Medical Center for $20.5M. 2. Competition type: Full and Open. 3. Contract duration: 2555 days. 4. Sector: Research and Development in Life Sciences. 5. Primary agency: National Institutes of Health (HHS).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $20.5M over 7 years suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns, but the per-year average is approximately $2.7M.
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 generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by selecting the best value offer.
Public Impact
Supports critical research in virology quality assurance. Enhances the capabilities of the National Institutes of Health. Potential for advancements in disease prevention and treatment. Long-term contract indicates sustained need for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is long (7 years).
- No small business participation indicated.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition.
- Supports critical R&D mission.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement and public health initiatives, with significant government investment.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor is Rush University Medical Center, a large institution. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health, part of HHS. Standard oversight mechanisms for federal contracts would apply, including performance monitoring and financial reporting.
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 (7 years).
- No indication of small business participation.
- Cost-No-Fee structure may reduce cost-efficiency incentives.
- Potential for scope misalignment due to long duration.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, il, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $20.5 million to RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER. IGF::OT::IGF "NIAID VIROLOGY QUALITY ASSURANCE"
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL 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 $20.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-09-21. End: 2019-09-20.
What specific quality assurance metrics are being addressed by this contract, and how do they align with NIAID's research goals?
This contract likely focuses on ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of virology research conducted or funded by NIAID. This includes validating experimental methods, data integrity, and adherence to regulatory standards. The alignment with NIAID's goals would be in supporting its mission to conduct and fund research to understand, prevent, and treat infectious diseases.
Given the 7-year duration, what are the potential risks associated with technological obsolescence or shifts in research priorities?
A long contract duration carries the risk that the technologies or methodologies used for quality assurance may become outdated. Additionally, shifts in scientific understanding or NIAID's strategic research priorities could render the original scope of work less relevant. Mitigation strategies might include built-in review periods or flexible contract modifications.
How does the cost-no-fee contract structure impact the incentive for the contractor to optimize efficiency and deliver high-value services?
A Cost-No-Fee (CNF) contract means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs but pays no fee or profit. This structure is typically used for research or development where the outcome is uncertain. It incentivizes the contractor to perform the work diligently to meet the research objectives, but the primary financial incentive for cost efficiency is reduced compared to fixed-price contracts.
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: NIHAI2010106
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Rush System for Health
Address: 1653 W CONGRESS PKWY, CHICAGO, IL, 60612
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Hospital, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $28,096,373
Exercised Options: $20,506,319
Current Obligation: $20,506,319
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-09-21
Current End Date: 2019-09-20
Potential End Date: 2019-09-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-04-01
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