NIH awards $5.26M for viral infection research, with a 10-year performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,258,724 ($5.3M)

Contractor: University of Alabama AT Birmingham

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2016-06-30

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 3,622 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF - TARGETED CLINICAL RESEARCH TO ADDRESS SELECT VIRAL INFECTIONS

Place of Performance

Location: BIRMINGHAM, JEFFERSON County, ALABAMA, 35294

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $5.3 million to UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF - TARGETED CLINICAL RESEARCH TO ADDRESS SELECT VIRAL INFECTIONS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the extensive 10-year performance period. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for this type of research. 3. Long contract duration may present some performance monitoring risks. 4. Research and Development sector, specifically life sciences, is a key area for federal investment. 5. This contract aligns with NIH's mission to advance health through research.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.26 million over approximately 10 years averages to about $526,000 per year. This appears to be a fair amount for targeted clinical research, especially considering the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar long-term, specialized research contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the annual spend is not excessively high for a federal research initiative.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple sources were solicited and considered. The presence of 13 bids suggests a competitive environment for this research. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovative approaches from a wider pool of researchers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are patients and the broader public who will benefit from advancements in understanding and treating viral infections. The services delivered include targeted clinical research, data analysis, and potentially the development of new therapeutic strategies. The geographic impact is national, as research findings can inform public health policies and medical practices across the United States. Workforce implications include support for researchers, technicians, and administrative staff at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and potentially collaborating institutions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (10 years) could lead to scope creep or performance degradation if not actively managed.
Reliance on a single awardee for such a long period might limit opportunities for incorporating newer research methodologies developed mid-contract.
Potential for cost overruns if research objectives become more complex than initially anticipated.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition indicates a robust market and potential for high-quality research proposals.
The contract's focus on critical health issues like viral infections aligns with national priorities.
A long performance period allows for sustained research efforts and the potential for significant scientific breakthroughs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences. The market for biomedical research is substantial, with significant federal investment driven by agencies like NIH. This contract represents a portion of that investment, supporting specialized clinical research aimed at addressing pressing public health challenges. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other NIH grants and contracts awarded for similar viral research projects.

Small Business Impact

The contract data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the nature of the research and the awardee (University of Alabama at Birmingham), it is unlikely that small businesses are primary awardees. However, the university may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specific services or supplies, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. NIH program officers and contracting officers are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with terms, and managing payments. The Inspector General for HHS would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations into potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Institutes of Health Research Grants
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Viral Disease Programs
Department of Defense Medical Research Programs
National Science Foundation (NSF) Biological Sciences

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of performance degradation or scope creep.
Potential for research objectives to become outdated over the 10-year period.
Need for continuous monitoring to ensure efficient use of funds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $5.3 million to UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM. IGF::OT::IGF - TARGETED CLINICAL RESEARCH TO ADDRESS SELECT VIRAL INFECTIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM.

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 $5.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-06-30. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for this specific contract or similar research initiatives by the University of Alabama at Birmingham with NIH?

The provided data shows a single definitive contract awarded for $5.26 million with an end date in 2026, suggesting this is a significant, long-term award. Without access to historical contract databases or specific NIH funding reports for UAB, a detailed historical spending pattern for this exact initiative cannot be precisely determined from the given information. However, the contract's duration (nearly 10 years) and value indicate a substantial and sustained investment. Generally, NIH funding for research institutions like UAB can fluctuate based on research priorities, grant cycles, and appropriations. Analyzing past NIH funding announcements and contract awards for viral research at UAB would be necessary to establish a comprehensive historical spending trend.

How does the awarded amount compare to the typical funding for similar viral infection research projects at other institutions?

The awarded amount of $5.26 million over approximately 10 years, averaging around $526,000 annually, appears to be within a reasonable range for targeted clinical research projects of this scope. NIH funds a wide array of research projects, with funding levels varying significantly based on the research phase (basic, translational, clinical), the specific disease or virus targeted, the complexity of the study, and the duration. Large-scale clinical trials or multi-year epidemiological studies can easily reach multi-million dollar figures. While a precise benchmark requires comparing specific research aims and methodologies, this contract's value suggests a substantial, long-term commitment to a focused area of viral infection research, consistent with NIH's mission to support significant scientific endeavors.

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

Key performance indicators for a clinical research contract like this would typically focus on scientific milestones and deliverables. These could include the successful recruitment of patient cohorts, adherence to study protocols, timely collection and analysis of data, publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals, and the generation of actionable insights into viral infection mechanisms or potential treatments. Specific objectives related to the 'targeted clinical research' would be outlined in the contract's statement of work. NIH program officers would monitor progress against these defined milestones, ensuring the research remains on track and contributes meaningfully to the understanding and management of select viral infections.

What is the track record of the University of Alabama at Birmingham in managing large federal research grants and contracts?

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has a well-established and extensive track record in managing large federal research grants and contracts, particularly from agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH). UAB is consistently ranked among the top public universities for research expenditures and receives substantial funding annually to support a diverse portfolio of scientific investigations. Their experience spans numerous disciplines, including infectious diseases, cancer, neuroscience, and more. UAB possesses the necessary infrastructure, administrative support, and experienced research personnel to effectively manage complex, multi-year federal awards, ensuring compliance with regulations and successful execution of research objectives.

Are there any specific risks associated with the 'definitive contract' type for this research?

Definitive contracts, while providing a fixed price or ceiling, can carry risks if the scope of work is not precisely defined or if unforeseen challenges arise during a long performance period. For this research contract, the primary risk might be related to the evolving nature of scientific discovery. If the initial research objectives become outdated or if new, more promising avenues emerge mid-contract, adapting the scope could be challenging without modifications. However, definitive contracts also offer cost certainty to the government once the price is established. The long duration (nearly 10 years) necessitates robust oversight to ensure the research remains relevant and that the contractor maintains focus and efficiency throughout the period of performance.

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: NIHAI2014028

Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 701 S 20TH ST, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35294

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,514,985

Exercised Options: $5,258,724

Current Obligation: $5,258,724

Actual Outlays: $3,226,332

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 54

Total Subaward Amount: $1,154,544

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline