HHS Awards $47.7M for Medical Countermeasures Development to BioCryst Pharmaceuticals
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $47,755,723 ($47.8M)
Contractor: Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2013-09-16
End Date: 2022-09-30
Contract Duration: 3,301 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 28
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF - DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES FOR BIODEFENSE AND EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES, BASE, OPTION 1 AND OPTION 2 AWARD, 09/16/2013 - 09/15/2017
Place of Performance
Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27703
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $47.8 million to BIOCRYST PHARMACEUTICALS INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF - DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES FOR BIODEFENSE AND EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES, BASE, OPTION 1 AND OPTION 2 AWARD, 09/16/2013 - 09/15/2017 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical biodefense and emerging infectious disease countermeasures. 2. BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, a known entity in the field, is the awardee. 3. The contract spans multiple years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Research and Development in Biotechnology is the primary sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $47.7M over its duration appears reasonable for R&D in this specialized field. Benchmarking against similar large-scale biodefense R&D contracts would provide further context on pricing efficiency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method allows for the widest possible range of qualified offerors, potentially leading to better value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being invested in critical national security and public health initiatives, aiming to mitigate future threats.
Public Impact
Enhances national security by developing defenses against biological threats. Supports public health preparedness for pandemics and bioterrorism. Drives innovation in pharmaceutical research and development. Potential for future commercialization of developed countermeasures.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration extends beyond initial award dates, suggesting potential scope creep or delays.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data makes assessing effectiveness challenging.
Positive Signals
- Focus on critical biodefense and emerging infectious diseases.
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Contracting with a specialized R&D firm.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Biotechnology R&D sector, a critical area for national security and public health. Spending in this sector is often high due to the complex and lengthy nature of research and development.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific set-asides or participation goals for small businesses in this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the National Institutes of Health, is responsible for oversight. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) necessitates careful monitoring of costs and performance to ensure value.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in Biotechnology
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to the nature of R&D.
- Long contract duration may indicate extended development timelines or potential delays.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data hinders immediate effectiveness assessment.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical countermeasures could pose a risk if performance falters.
Tags
research-and-development-in-biotechnolog, department-of-health-and-human-services, nc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $47.8 million to BIOCRYST PHARMACEUTICALS INC. IGF::OT::IGF - DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES FOR BIODEFENSE AND EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES, BASE, OPTION 1 AND OPTION 2 AWARD, 09/16/2013 - 09/15/2017
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BIOCRYST PHARMACEUTICALS 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 $47.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-09-16. End: 2022-09-30.
What specific medical countermeasures are being developed under this contract, and what is the projected timeline for their availability?
The contract aims to develop medical countermeasures for biodefense and emerging infectious diseases. Specific details on the exact countermeasures and their development timelines are not publicly available in this summary. Such information is typically found in detailed contract statements of work and progress reports, which are often sensitive due to national security and proprietary concerns.
How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure impact the government's ability to control costs and ensure efficient spending on R&D?
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts allow the government to reimburse the contractor for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. While this structure is suitable for R&D where costs are uncertain, it places a strong emphasis on robust government oversight to scrutinize costs and prevent overruns. Effective negotiation of the fixed fee and diligent cost auditing are crucial for ensuring efficient spending.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success and effectiveness of the R&D efforts funded by this contract?
Key performance indicators for R&D contracts like this typically include milestones such as successful completion of preclinical studies, progression to clinical trials, achievement of specific efficacy targets, and timely delivery of research reports. The specific KPIs would be detailed in the contract's statement of work and are essential for the government to track progress and ensure the intended outcomes are being met.
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: 28
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4505 EMPEROR BLVD STE 200, DURHAM, NC, 27703
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $47,755,723
Exercised Options: $47,755,723
Current Obligation: $47,755,723
Actual Outlays: $2,277,065
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-09-16
Current End Date: 2022-09-30
Potential End Date: 2022-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-09-06
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