NIH Spends $13.7M on Technical Report Support Services with Biotechnical Services, Inc. Over 10 Years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,667,915 ($13.7M)

Contractor: Biotechnical Services, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2009-04-30

End Date: 2019-04-29

Contract Duration: 3,651 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: NTP TECHNICAL REPORT PREPARATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH LITTLE ROCK, PULASKI County, ARKANSAS, 72116

State: Arkansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $13.7 million to BIOTECHNICAL SERVICES, INC for work described as: NTP TECHNICAL REPORT PREPARATION SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Biotechnical Services, Inc. for NTP Technical Report Preparation Support Services totaled $13.7 million. 2. The contract spanned 10 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 3. The procurement method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', suggesting a potentially complex justification for limiting initial sources. 4. The sector appears to be related to scientific publishing and research support within the healthcare/biotech domain.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The total award of $13.7 million over 10 years averages to $1.37 million annually, which needs to be benchmarked against similar services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' indicates that while competition was sought, initial sources were limited. This method can sometimes lead to less competitive pricing compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The long duration and significant value suggest a substantial taxpayer investment. The effectiveness of the competition method in securing the best value for taxpayer funds is a key consideration.

Public Impact

Taxpayers funded extensive technical report preparation over a decade. The long-term nature of the contract suggests a consistent demand for these specialized support services. The specific justification for excluding sources in the initial competition warrants further review for transparency and fairness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost creep with CPFF contract type.
Limited initial competition raises questions about best value.
Long contract duration may not reflect evolving needs or market prices.

Positive Signals

Sustained support for critical scientific reporting.
Contract achieved its objective over a long period.
Established a relationship for specialized services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the scientific research and publishing sector, specifically supporting the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Spending benchmarks for technical report preparation services can vary widely based on complexity and volume, but $1.37 million annually is a significant investment.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication in the provided data whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The long duration of the contract (10 years) necessitates robust oversight to ensure continued relevance, cost control, and performance quality. The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause requires careful justification and monitoring to ensure accountability.

Related Government Programs

Book Publishers
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Limited initial competition.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Long contract duration.
Lack of performance metrics provided.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $13.7 million to BIOTECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. NTP TECHNICAL REPORT PREPARATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BIOTECHNICAL SERVICES, 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 $13.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-04-30. End: 2019-04-29.

What was the specific justification for excluding sources in the initial competition for this contract?

The justification for excluding sources typically involves demonstrating that only a limited number of sources possess the specialized capabilities, technology, or proprietary information required for the service. For this contract, it might relate to unique expertise in scientific report generation or specific NIH requirements that only certain firms could meet, necessitating a justification to limit the initial pool of potential bidders.

How did the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure impact the final cost compared to other contract types?

A CPFF contract allows the contractor to recover all allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. While it facilitates work on projects with uncertain costs, it can incentivize cost overruns as the contractor is reimbursed for costs incurred. Without a comparison to alternative contract types or detailed cost breakdowns, it's difficult to definitively state the cost impact, but it carries a higher risk of exceeding initial estimates than fixed-price contracts.

What was the measurable impact of the technical reports prepared under this contract on scientific advancement or public health?

The provided data does not include metrics on the impact of the technical reports. To assess this, one would need to review the content and dissemination of the reports, their citation rates, influence on subsequent research, or contribution to public health initiatives. The value is tied to the quality and utility of the reports produced, which requires qualitative and quantitative analysis beyond contract financials.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers › Book Publishers

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: NIHES2008050

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4610 W COMMERCIAL DR, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR, 72116

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,667,915

Exercised Options: $13,667,915

Current Obligation: $13,667,915

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline