HHS Awards $4.9M Viral Bioinformatics Contract to Peraton Inc. via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,385,247 ($23.4M)
Contractor: Peraton Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2014-09-15
End Date: 2019-11-14
Contract Duration: 1,886 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF PURPOSE AWARD CONTRACT FOR $4,916,990 FOR THE VIRAL BIOINFORMATICS RESOURCE CENTER
Place of Performance
Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $23.4 million to PERATON INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF PURPOSE AWARD CONTRACT FOR $4,916,990 FOR THE VIRAL BIOINFORMATICS RESOURCE CENTER Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Viral Bioinformatics Resource Center services. 2. Peraton Inc. secured the $4.9M definitive contract. 3. Competition method was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 4. The contract falls under Research and Development in Biotechnology. 5. The award value is significant for a specialized R&D service.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $4.9M appears reasonable for a definitive contract focused on specialized R&D services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for bioinformatics resources would provide a more precise assessment, but the scope suggests a substantial undertaking.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a critical R&D resource, with the expectation of competitive pricing due to the procurement method.
Public Impact
Supports critical research in virology and bioinformatics. Enhances national capabilities in understanding and combating viral threats. Provides a centralized resource for researchers, potentially accelerating scientific discovery.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is long (over 5 years).
- Specific performance metrics and deliverables are not detailed.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D contracts.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Clear purpose for a vital research area.
- Established contractor with a definitive contract.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in Biotechnology sector, specifically focusing on bioinformatics. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing medical research and public health initiatives. Benchmarks for similar R&D contracts can vary widely based on specialization and scope.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was incorporated as a subcontracting goal.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Oversight would involve monitoring performance against contract requirements and ensuring adherence to terms and conditions to safeguard taxpayer funds.
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 may increase risk of cost overruns or obsolescence.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is developed.
- R&D contracts can be subject to unforeseen challenges and delays.
Tags
research-and-development-in-biotechnolog, department-of-health-and-human-services, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $23.4 million to PERATON INC.. IGF::OT::IGF PURPOSE AWARD CONTRACT FOR $4,916,990 FOR THE VIRAL BIOINFORMATICS RESOURCE CENTER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PERATON 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 $23.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-09-15. End: 2019-11-14.
What specific bioinformatics capabilities will this contract provide, and how do they align with current NIH research priorities?
This contract is for the Viral Bioinformatics Resource Center, implying it will provide computational resources, databases, analytical tools, and expertise for analyzing viral genomic and other biological data. Its alignment with NIH priorities would depend on the specific viral threats or research areas the center is designed to support, such as emerging infectious diseases or vaccine development.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will contractor performance be measured to ensure value for money?
Key performance indicators would likely include data accessibility, system uptime, turnaround time for data analysis requests, accuracy of results, and user satisfaction from the research community. Performance measurement would involve regular reviews by NIH contracting officers, potentially through milestone completion reports, user feedback mechanisms, and adherence to service level agreements.
How does the $4.9M award compare to the estimated cost of establishing and maintaining a similar bioinformatics resource center independently?
Comparing the $4.9M award to the cost of independent establishment requires detailed analysis of infrastructure, personnel, software licensing, and ongoing maintenance. A contract like this leverages Peraton's existing infrastructure and expertise, potentially offering economies of scale and specialized knowledge that could make it more cost-effective than a government-run equivalent, especially considering the rapid evolution of bioinformatics tools.
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: 9
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 12975 WORLDGATE DR STE 7322, HERNDON, VA, 20170
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,385,247
Exercised Options: $23,385,247
Current Obligation: $23,385,247
Actual Outlays: $276
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 283
Total Subaward Amount: $166,142,912
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-09-15
Current End Date: 2019-11-14
Potential End Date: 2019-11-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-06-11
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