HHS awards $25.5M to Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche for R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,488,218 ($25.5M)

Contractor: Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2001-06-15

End Date: 2011-04-30

Contract Duration: 3,606 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $25.5 million to CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE for work described as: Key points: 1. Significant award to a foreign entity for R&D. 2. Long contract duration of 3606 days. 3. No fee structure indicates focus on research execution over profit. 4. Lack of competition raises questions about value and price discovery.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract type is 'COST NO FEE', which is unusual for a large award and suggests the primary goal is research completion rather than profit. Without comparable contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, assessing value is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may not ensure the best value for taxpayer dollars.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could lead to inflated costs or suboptimal resource allocation, impacting the efficient use of taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Award supports research and development in critical scientific fields. Long-term funding allows for sustained research efforts. Potential for groundbreaking discoveries benefiting public health and technology. International collaboration in scientific endeavors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Long contract duration
Foreign entity award

Positive Signals

Supports critical R&D
Long-term research funding

Sector Analysis

The award falls under NAICS code 541710, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.' This sector often involves significant investment and long-term projects, with spending benchmarks varying widely based on the specific research area.

Small Business Impact

This award does not appear to involve small businesses, as it is a direct award to a large research council.

Oversight & Accountability

The lack of competition warrants further oversight to ensure the research objectives are met efficiently and effectively, and that funds are used appropriately.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Long contract duration
Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure
Limited transparency on specific research deliverables

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $25.5 million to CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE.

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 $25.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2001-06-15. End: 2011-04-30.

What specific research outcomes are expected from this $25.5M award, and how will their achievement be measured?

The specific research outcomes are not detailed in the provided data. However, for R&D contracts, success is typically measured by milestones, publications, patents, or the development of new technologies. The NIH would likely have a detailed research plan and reporting requirements to track progress and ensure the funds are contributing to advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences.

Given the sole-source nature of this award, what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing for the research services?

For sole-source contracts, agencies must justify the lack of competition and demonstrate that the negotiated price is fair and reasonable. This typically involves reviewing the contractor's cost proposals, conducting cost and price analyses, and potentially referencing historical pricing data or market research. The absence of a fee suggests a focus on direct cost reimbursement, but the reasonableness of those costs is still paramount.

How does the long duration (3606 days) of this contract impact the agility and adaptability of the research in response to evolving scientific landscapes?

A long contract duration can provide stability and allow for deep, sustained research. However, it can also reduce agility. Agencies often mitigate this by including clauses for periodic reviews, option periods, or modifications to adjust research direction based on new findings or changing priorities. For R&D, a balance is needed between long-term vision and the flexibility to pivot as discoveries are made.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Contractor Details

Address: PIAZZALE ALDO MORO 7, ROMA

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,946,685

Exercised Options: $25,855,946

Current Obligation: $25,488,218

Timeline