NIH awards $12.6M for Biomedical R&D to Arkansas Children's Research Institute under full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,609,563 ($12.6M)
Contractor: Arkansas Children's Research Institute
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2008-09-26
End Date: 2016-12-19
Contract Duration: 3,006 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 34
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: BIOMEDICAL (APPLIED/EXPLORATORY)
Place of Performance
Location: LITTLE ROCK, PULASKI County, ARKANSAS, 72202
State: Arkansas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $12.6 million to ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE for work described as: BIOMEDICAL (APPLIED/EXPLORATORY) Key points: 1. Significant investment in biomedical research, focusing on social sciences and humanities. 2. Arkansas Children's Research Institute is the sole awardee, raising questions about broader competition. 3. Long contract duration (3006 days) suggests a complex, multi-year research project. 4. The 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities' NAICS code is unusual for a biomedical focus.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is 'COST NO FEE', which is common for research but makes direct pricing comparisons difficult. The total award amount of $12.6M over 8 years needs further scrutiny for cost-effectiveness.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple bids were considered. However, the sole awardee raises questions about the breadth of participation and potential for price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting critical research, but the long duration and specific NAICS code warrant oversight to ensure value for money.
Public Impact
Supports advancements in biomedical research, potentially leading to public health benefits. Investment in a specific research institute in Arkansas may have regional economic impacts. The project's focus on social sciences within a biomedical context could yield novel insights.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- NAICS code mismatch with stated biomedical focus.
- Long contract duration without clear performance milestones.
- Sole awardee despite full and open competition.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D in a vital sector.
- Awarded through a competitive process.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development, specifically within the Biomedical sector. The award amount is moderate for a long-term research project. Benchmarks for similar R&D contracts would be needed for a precise comparison.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract, as the awardee is a research institute and the 'sb' flag is false.
Oversight & Accountability
The long contract duration and the specific NAICS code warrant careful oversight to ensure the research objectives are met and funds are used efficiently. Periodic reviews of progress and expenditures would be advisable.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential NAICS code misclassification.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
- Sole awardee despite competitive solicitation.
- Lack of fee may reduce contractor's incentive for cost efficiency.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-health-and-human-services, ar, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $12.6 million to ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE. BIOMEDICAL (APPLIED/EXPLORATORY)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE.
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 $12.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-09-26. End: 2016-12-19.
What is the specific research being conducted under this contract, and how does it align with the 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities' NAICS code?
The contract's NAICS code (541720) is for Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. However, the awardee is a 'BIOMEDICAL (APPLIED/EXPLORATORY)' entity. Clarification is needed on how social science research methodologies are being applied to biomedical research, or if there's a misclassification. This could impact the perceived value and relevance of the research outcomes.
Given the 'COST NO FEE' contract type and long duration, what mechanisms are in place to ensure cost control and prevent potential cost overruns?
With a 'COST NO FEE' contract, the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs. The long duration (3006 days) necessitates robust oversight. Mechanisms likely include regular financial reporting, audits, and performance reviews to ensure costs remain reasonable and aligned with research progress. The absence of a fee means the contractor's incentive is primarily mission accomplishment rather than profit maximization.
How was the value for money assessed during the 'full and open competition' if only one award was made?
While 'full and open competition' implies the solicitation was broadly advertised, the outcome of a single award suggests either limited proposals were received or one proposal was significantly superior. Value for money would have been assessed based on technical merit, proposed research plan, and projected costs relative to the expected outcomes. Further details on the evaluation criteria and the number of proposals received would clarify the competitive landscape.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
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: 34
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1120 MARSHALL ST, LITTLE ROCK, AR, 72202
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Hospital, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $26,630,691
Exercised Options: $26,630,691
Current Obligation: $12,609,563
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-09-26
Current End Date: 2016-12-19
Potential End Date: 2016-12-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-12-19
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