NIH awards $153M for pediatric and maternal HIV studies, with Westat Inc. as prime contractor
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $152,973,581 ($153.0M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2012-10-15
End Date: 2017-11-30
Contract Duration: 1,872 days
Daily Burn Rate: $81.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF NICHD INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC PEDIATRIC AND MATERNAL HIV STUDIES COORDINATING CENTER
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $153.0 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF NICHD INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC PEDIATRIC AND MATERNAL HIV STUDIES COORDINATING CENTER Key points: 1. Contract value of $153M over 5 years suggests significant investment in critical public health research. 2. The definitive contract type indicates a long-term relationship for complex research services. 3. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is a key sector for federal investment. 4. The contract's duration of 1872 days points to the sustained effort required for comprehensive study. 5. The absence of small business set-asides warrants further investigation into subcontracting opportunities. 6. The contract's focus on HIV research aligns with national public health priorities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $153 million over five years for research and development in pediatric and maternal HIV studies appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale public health research initiatives would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type suggests that while direct costs are reimbursed, a fixed fee is paid for the contractor's effort, which can incentivize efficiency.
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 had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of two bidders suggests a competitive environment, though the exact number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria would offer deeper insight into the strength of the competition. Full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and a wider pool of qualified contractors.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and access to innovative solutions from a broad range of contractors.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are children and mothers affected by HIV, through the advancement of research into prevention, treatment, and care. The contract supports critical research services aimed at understanding and combating pediatric and maternal HIV. The geographic impact is likely global, given the international nature of HIV research and the potential for findings to inform public health strategies worldwide. The contract supports a workforce of researchers, scientists, data analysts, and support staff involved in complex medical research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) structure, while common for R&D, requires careful monitoring to ensure costs remain within reasonable bounds and the fixed fee is justified.
- The long-term nature of the contract (over 5 years) necessitates ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued value and adherence to research objectives.
- The absence of explicit small business set-aside information could indicate missed opportunities for small business participation, requiring review of subcontracting plans.
- The specific performance metrics and deliverables for this extensive research program need to be clearly defined and rigorously assessed.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
- The significant contract value indicates a high level of trust and confidence in the contractor's ability to deliver complex research services.
- The contract's focus on a critical public health issue like pediatric and maternal HIV demonstrates alignment with important national and global health goals.
- The definitive contract type implies a stable, long-term partnership conducive to sustained research efforts and knowledge building.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences and public health. The market for health research services is substantial, with significant federal investment driven by agencies like NIH. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale NIH grants or contracts for multi-year, multi-site research initiatives, particularly those addressing infectious diseases or maternal and child health.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded with a specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor, Westat, Inc., is a large business, the contract's nature as a definitive contract for extensive research may involve complex subcontracting. An analysis of Westat's subcontracting plan would be crucial to understand the extent of small business participation and its impact on the small business ecosystem within the research and health services sector.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), likely through designated contracting officers and program officials. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, requiring regular reporting, milestone achievement, and adherence to research protocols. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting of research findings, though specific internal oversight mechanisms are not detailed in the provided data.
Related Government Programs
- NIH Research Grants
- CDC HIV/AIDS Programs
- Global HIV/AIDS Initiatives
- Pediatric Health Research
- Maternal Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in CPFF contract
- Ensuring data integrity over long research duration
- Monitoring contractor performance over 5+ years
- Scope creep in complex R&D projects
- Need for clear performance metrics and oversight
Tags
health-research, hiv-aids, pediatric-health, maternal-health, department-of-health-and-human-services, national-institutes-of-health, research-and-development, definitive-contract, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, large-business, maryland
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $153.0 million to WESTAT, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF NICHD INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC PEDIATRIC AND MATERNAL HIV STUDIES COORDINATING CENTER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTAT, 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 $153.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-10-15. End: 2017-11-30.
What is Westat, Inc.'s track record with NIH and similar federal research contracts?
Westat, Inc. has a substantial history of working with federal agencies, particularly the National Institutes of Health (NIH), on large-scale research projects. Their portfolio often includes survey research, data collection, and analysis across various health domains. A review of their past performance on similar contracts, including their success in meeting deadlines, managing budgets, and delivering high-quality research outcomes, would be essential. Examining past performance evaluations and any documented issues or successes would provide critical context for assessing their capability to manage this significant pediatric and maternal HIV studies contract effectively. Their experience in managing complex, multi-year research endeavors is a key indicator of their suitability.
How does the $153 million contract value compare to similar pediatric and maternal HIV research initiatives?
The $153 million contract value over approximately five years for pediatric and maternal HIV studies represents a significant investment. To benchmark this value, one would compare it to other large federal contracts or grants awarded by NIH, CDC, or international health organizations for similar research scope, duration, and complexity. Factors such as the number of research sites, the scale of data collection, the types of analyses required, and the specific research questions being addressed all influence cost. Without direct comparable contract data, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents excellent or fair value, but the scale suggests a comprehensive, multi-faceted research program critical to public health.
What are the primary risks associated with a long-term, cost-plus-fixed-fee research contract of this magnitude?
Key risks for a long-term, cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) research contract include potential cost overruns if not meticulously managed, as CPFF reimburses allowable costs plus a fixed fee. Scope creep, where research objectives expand beyond the original agreement, can also inflate costs and delay timelines. Ensuring the quality and integrity of research data collected over several years is another significant risk, requiring robust data management and quality assurance protocols. Furthermore, the long duration increases the risk of changes in scientific understanding, public health priorities, or regulatory environments that might necessitate contract modifications. Contractor performance degradation over time and the potential for key personnel turnover also pose risks to sustained success.
How effective are CPFF contracts in ensuring value for money in R&D settings?
Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contracts are commonly used in research and development (R&D) because they accommodate the inherent uncertainties and evolving nature of scientific inquiry. They allow for reimbursement of actual costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing the contractor's profit. This structure can be effective in encouraging contractors to undertake complex, high-risk R&D projects that might be difficult to price upfront. However, the value for money hinges on robust oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable, and that the fixed fee appropriately compensates the effort. Without strong government oversight and clear performance metrics, there's a risk of inefficiency or inflated costs compared to fixed-price contracts, though fixed-price contracts are often unsuitable for R&D due to unpredictable requirements.
What are the historical spending patterns for pediatric and maternal HIV research by the NIH?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has consistently allocated substantial funding towards HIV/AIDS research, including specific initiatives focused on pediatric and maternal transmission and treatment. Historical spending patterns reveal a long-term commitment to understanding and combating the epidemic across all age groups. Funding levels often fluctuate based on scientific breakthroughs, emerging public health needs, and congressional appropriations. Analyzing NIH's budget justifications and historical contract/grant awards related to HIV, particularly within the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), would illustrate trends in investment and research priorities over time.
What are the implications of 'full and open competition' for a contract of this scale?
Awarding a contract of this scale ($153 million) under 'full and open competition' signifies that the government actively sought proposals from all responsible sources capable of meeting the requirements. This approach maximizes the potential for innovation, cost-effectiveness, and access to a broad range of expertise. It implies that the contracting agency, NIH in this case, established clear evaluation criteria and allowed multiple bidders to compete, fostering a dynamic marketplace. The outcome is generally a stronger likelihood of securing the best value for the government and taxpayers, as competition drives contractors to offer competitive pricing and superior technical solutions. It also ensures transparency and fairness in the procurement process.
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: RFPNIHNICHDCRMC20130
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1600 RESEARCH BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $152,973,581
Exercised Options: $152,973,581
Current Obligation: $152,973,581
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $1,147,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-10-15
Current End Date: 2017-11-30
Potential End Date: 2017-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-08-30
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