NIH awards $10.7M for National Children's Study, University of Wisconsin System selected

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,734,159 ($10.7M)

Contractor: University of Wisconsin System

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2005-09-30

End Date: 2016-03-23

Contract Duration: 3,827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIIONAL CHILDREN'S STUDY - STUDY CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: MADISON, DANE County, WISCONSIN, 53706

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $10.7 million to UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM for work described as: NATIIONAL CHILDREN'S STUDY - STUDY CENTER Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process. 2. The contract duration of 3827 days (over 10 years) indicates a long-term research commitment. 3. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code suggests a broad scope of work. 4. The contract type 'COST NO FEE' implies that the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs without additional profit. 5. The award was made to the University of Wisconsin System, a large public university system. 6. The contract was awarded as a definitive contract, typically used for complex or long-term requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the services rendered. The total award amount of $10.7 million over more than 10 years averages to approximately $1 million per year. This figure needs to be compared against the scope and complexity of the National Children's Study research activities. Given the 'COST NO FEE' contract type, the government is primarily covering direct and indirect costs, which can be an efficient method for research where costs are difficult to predict, but it also limits the government's ability to negotiate profit margins.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 11 bidders (no) suggests a competitive environment for this research opportunity. A high number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government, as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process like this is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value for the research services required for the National Children's Study.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are researchers and institutions involved in the National Children's Study, contributing to a better understanding of child development and health. The services delivered are professional, scientific, and technical, supporting a large-scale, long-term epidemiological study. The geographic impact is likely national, given the nature of the National Children's Study, although the specific study center's reach may be regional. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, researchers, data analysts, and support staff at the University of Wisconsin System and potentially subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'COST NO FEE' contract type, while reimbursing actual costs, may offer less incentive for cost control compared to fixed-price contracts if not rigorously monitored.
The long duration of the contract (over 10 years) requires sustained oversight to ensure the project remains on track and within evolving research needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition with 11 bidders, indicating a competitive process that likely yielded a strong candidate.
The contract supports a significant national research initiative (National Children's Study), suggesting alignment with important public health goals.
The University of Wisconsin System is a large, established research institution, implying a capacity to manage complex research projects.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under NAICS code 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). This broad category encompasses a wide range of specialized services. The National Children's Study is a major public health research initiative, and contracts supporting such studies are common within this sector. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific scientific and technical services required, but large-scale research grants and contracts can range from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, and the awardee is the University of Wisconsin System, a large entity. Therefore, direct small business set-aside benefits are unlikely. However, the University of Wisconsin System may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services, contributing to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the awarding agency, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a division of HHS. Given the long-term nature and research focus, oversight would likely involve regular progress reports, scientific reviews, and financial audits to ensure compliance with the contract terms and research protocols. Transparency is generally maintained through public reporting of research findings, though specific contract details might be subject to standard government disclosure policies.

Related Government Programs

National Children's Study
Epidemiological Research Grants
Public Health Studies
University Research Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Cost-reimbursement nature necessitates careful monitoring of expenditures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $10.7 million to UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM. NATIIONAL CHILDREN'S STUDY - STUDY CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM.

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 $10.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-09-30. End: 2016-03-23.

What is the specific role of the University of Wisconsin System as a study center for the National Children's Study?

The University of Wisconsin System, as a study center for the National Children's Study (NCS), is responsible for executing a defined portion of the study's research protocol within a specific geographic region. This typically involves recruiting and enrolling participants (pregnant women and their children), collecting data through various methods (surveys, biological samples, environmental monitoring), and ensuring the quality and integrity of that data. Study centers act as the operational arm of the NCS, translating the overall study design into on-the-ground research activities. Their role is crucial for gathering the diverse and comprehensive data needed to understand the environmental and biological influences on children's health and development across the United States.

How does the 'COST NO FEE' contract type impact the government's financial risk and oversight requirements?

A 'COST NO FEE' contract means the government agrees to reimburse the contractor for all allowable costs incurred in performing the contract, but the contractor does not receive any profit. This contract type is often used for research and development or other complex projects where costs are difficult to estimate accurately upfront. For the government, the financial risk is that costs could exceed initial estimates, although the absence of profit means the government doesn't pay for contractor overhead related to profit generation. However, this necessitates robust oversight to ensure that costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable, and that the contractor is making efficient use of funds. The government must actively monitor expenditures and project progress to prevent cost overruns and ensure the research objectives are met within the allocated budget.

What are the potential challenges in managing a research contract that spans over 10 years?

Managing a research contract spanning over 10 years presents several challenges. Firstly, scientific and technological advancements can render initial research methodologies or objectives outdated, requiring contract modifications or scope adjustments. Secondly, maintaining consistent funding and institutional commitment over such a long period can be difficult. Thirdly, personnel turnover within the research team can lead to loss of institutional knowledge and require extensive training for new members. Fourthly, regulatory changes or evolving ethical considerations in research may necessitate changes in protocols. Finally, ensuring continued participant engagement and retention over a decade is a significant logistical and ethical challenge that requires ongoing effort and effective communication strategies.

How does the broad NAICS code '541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' affect the understanding of the contract's scope?

The broad NAICS code '541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' indicates that the contract encompasses a wide array of specialized services that do not fit into more specific categories. For this contract supporting the National Children's Study, it suggests the work could involve diverse activities such as data collection and analysis, laboratory services, environmental assessments, statistical consulting, project management, and potentially health education or outreach. While this code allows for flexibility in service provision, it also means that the precise nature and breakdown of services are not immediately apparent without reviewing the contract's statement of work. This necessitates a deeper dive into contract documentation to fully understand the specific scientific and technical expertise being procured.

What is the significance of awarding a definitive contract for this research initiative?

Awarding a definitive contract for the National Children's Study research initiative signifies a commitment to a specific scope of work and a defined period, even if the exact costs are subject to reimbursement under a cost-reimbursement type. Definitive contracts are typically used for substantial, long-term requirements where the government has a clear understanding of the needs. For a large-scale, multi-year research project like the NCS, a definitive contract provides a stable framework for the contractor to operate within, ensuring continuity of research activities. It establishes the terms and conditions under which the research will be conducted, including reporting requirements, intellectual property rights, and payment structures, offering a more structured approach compared to indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts for this type of project.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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: RFPNICHD200407

Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 750 UNIVERSITY AVE, MADISON, WI, 53706

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,923,548

Exercised Options: $11,176,490

Current Obligation: $10,734,159

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline