NIH awards $22.5M for Bioinformatics Resource Centers, supporting infectious disease research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,520,717 ($22.5M)

Contractor: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2014-09-15

End Date: 2019-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,840 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF BIOINFORMATICS RESOURCE CENTERS FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES - BASE PERIOD

Place of Performance

Location: PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19104

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $22.5 million to TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF BIOINFORMATICS RESOURCE CENTERS FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES - BASE PERIOD Key points: 1. Contract supports critical research infrastructure for infectious diseases. 2. Long-term contract indicates sustained need for bioinformatics services. 3. Performance period of approximately 5 years suggests a stable program. 4. Focus on R&D in life sciences highlights a specialized sector. 5. University as contractor suggests a focus on academic research and development.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $22.5 million over roughly five years for bioinformatics resources appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D contracts for academic institutions would provide further context. The 'COST NO FEE' award type suggests that the government reimburses allowable costs, which can be efficient if managed well, but requires robust oversight to prevent cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. The presence of 8 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this specialized research support service. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the selection of a capable contractor.

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 studying infectious diseases benefit from access to advanced bioinformatics tools and data. The contract supports the development and maintenance of critical research infrastructure. Geographic impact is broad, supporting national research efforts. Workforce implications include support for scientists, bioinformaticians, and research staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Contract duration of over 1800 days suggests program stability.
Contract type (COST NO FEE) can be cost-effective if managed properly.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences and biotechnology. The market for bioinformatics services is growing rapidly, driven by advancements in genomics and data analysis. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large federal grants or contracts supporting research infrastructure at major universities or research institutions.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the most qualified large institution for this specialized research support, rather than specifically promoting small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of HHS. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type necessitates careful monitoring of expenditures to ensure that costs are allowable, reasonable, and allocable to the contract objectives. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Institutes of Health Research Grants
Infectious Disease Research Programs
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Initiatives

Risk Flags

Cost control risk associated with 'COST NO FEE' contract type.
Dependence on sustained federal funding for long-term research infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $22.5 million to TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE. IGF::OT::IGF BIOINFORMATICS RESOURCE CENTERS FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES - BASE PERIOD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE.

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 $22.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-09-15. End: 2019-09-29.

What is the historical spending trend for Bioinformatics Resource Centers for Infectious Diseases?

The provided data represents a single contract award of $22.5 million for the base period of the Bioinformatics Resource Centers for Infectious Diseases (BRCFID) program. To understand the historical spending trend, one would need to examine prior contract awards for this program, including any previous iterations or related efforts. Analyzing the total obligated amounts and period of performance for previous contracts would reveal whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable over time. Additionally, looking at the number of awards and the agencies involved could indicate shifts in program focus or funding priorities within the federal government for infectious disease bioinformatics research.

How does the cost per year for this contract compare to similar bioinformatics research support contracts?

The contract value of $22.5 million over approximately 1840 days (roughly 5 years) equates to an average annual cost of about $4.5 million. To benchmark this, we would need to compare it to other large-scale contracts awarded by agencies like NIH, NSF, or CDC for similar bioinformatics resource centers or large research infrastructure support. Factors such as the scope of services (e.g., data storage, analysis tools, computational resources, user support), the specific research areas supported, and the duration of the contract would need to be considered for a fair comparison. Without access to a database of comparable contracts, a precise per-year cost benchmark is difficult to establish, but $4.5 million annually for a national-level resource center appears within a plausible range for federal R&D investments.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of this contract?

While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, typical performance indicators for a Bioinformatics Resource Center contract would likely include metrics related to the availability and uptime of computational resources, the responsiveness and effectiveness of user support, the development and maintenance of bioinformatics tools and databases, the successful execution of data analysis projects, and the publication record of researchers utilizing the center's resources. The contract's success would also be measured by its contribution to advancing infectious disease research, as evidenced by scientific publications, grant applications supported, and the overall impact on the research community. Regular progress reports and potential site visits by NIH program officers would be part of the oversight process.

What is the track record of The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania in managing large federal research grants?

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania is a major research university with a long history of successfully managing numerous large federal research grants and contracts across various scientific disciplines. As a leading academic institution, it has established infrastructure and expertise in research administration, financial management, and scientific execution. While this specific contract represents a significant award, the university's overall track record in securing and administering federal funding from agencies like NIH, NSF, and others suggests a strong capability to handle such projects. A detailed review would involve examining their performance on past NIH grants, particularly those of similar scope and duration, to confirm consistent adherence to federal regulations and successful project outcomes.

Are there any specific risks associated with the 'COST NO FEE' contract type for this project?

The 'COST NO FEE' contract type, while common for research and development, carries inherent risks related to cost control and oversight. The government agrees to reimburse the contractor for all allowable, allocable, and reasonable costs incurred in performing the contract, without a pre-defined profit margin. The primary risk is that costs could escalate beyond initial estimates if not managed diligently by both the contractor and the government. This necessitates robust financial tracking, regular audits, and clear communication between the contracting officer and the contractor to ensure that expenditures remain within the scope and objectives of the award. The government bears the risk of cost overruns, while the contractor assumes the risk of not being able to cover all costs if they are deemed unallowable or unreasonable.

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

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3451 WALNUT ST, PHILADELPHIA, PA, 19104

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Hospital, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,520,717

Exercised Options: $22,520,717

Current Obligation: $22,520,717

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $4,264,818

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline