NIH awards $14.4M for AIDS research to University of Maryland over 7 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,408,901 ($14.4M)

Contractor: University of Maryland

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2002-06-01

End Date: 2009-03-30

Contract Duration: 2,494 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: AIDS RESEARCH (APPLIED/EXPLORATORY)

Place of Performance

Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE (CITY) County, MARYLAND, 21201

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $14.4 million to UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND for work described as: AIDS RESEARCH (APPLIED/EXPLORATORY) Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the long-term nature of the research and the specific focus. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process, potentially leading to competitive pricing. 3. The contract duration of nearly 7 years indicates a long-term commitment to research objectives. 4. Performance context is tied to applied and exploratory research in a critical health area. 5. Sector positioning is within the life sciences R&D, a key area for federal health investment.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $14.4 million over approximately 2494 days (about 7 years) averages to roughly $2 million per year. This figure needs to be benchmarked against similar large-scale, multi-year research grants for AIDS studies. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively assess value, but the cost appears reasonable for sustained, specialized research.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This process is designed to foster competition and potentially drive down costs or improve the quality of research. The presence of multiple bidders suggests a healthy market for this type of specialized research service.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best research outcomes at a fair price, ensuring federal funds are used efficiently for critical public health initiatives.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are patients and the public through advancements in AIDS research. Services delivered include applied and exploratory research aimed at understanding and combating AIDS. The geographic impact is primarily focused on Maryland, where the University of Maryland is located, but the research findings have global implications. Workforce implications include support for researchers, technicians, and administrative staff at the University of Maryland.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or changes in research priorities over time.
Reliance on a single institution for such a significant award warrants close monitoring of progress and outcomes.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a thorough evaluation of multiple proposals.
The specific focus on AIDS research aligns with critical public health priorities.
The long duration allows for sustained effort and potential for significant research breakthroughs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically focusing on biomedical research. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a major funder of such research, with significant annual outlays dedicated to understanding and treating diseases like AIDS. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large, multi-year grants awarded by NIH for infectious disease research.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication of small business set-asides for this contract, as it was awarded to a large research institution. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but could potentially arise if the University of Maryland engages external specialized services or suppliers.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) program officers responsible for AIDS research. Accountability measures would include regular progress reports, milestone achievements, and adherence to research protocols. Transparency is generally maintained through public dissemination of research findings, though specific contract details might be subject to standard federal procurement regulations.

Related Government Programs

National Institutes of Health Research Grants
Applied and Exploratory Research
Infectious Disease Research Funding
Biomedical Research and Development

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope drift or obsolescence.
Reliance on a single institution for a large award requires robust oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $14.4 million to UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND. AIDS RESEARCH (APPLIED/EXPLORATORY)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND.

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 $14.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2002-06-01. End: 2009-03-30.

What is the track record of the University of Maryland in receiving and managing large federal research grants, particularly in the area of AIDS research?

The University of Maryland has a significant history of securing federal research funding across various disciplines, including health sciences. While specific data on their AIDS research grant management is not provided here, institutions of this size and stature typically have established administrative structures and experienced principal investigators to manage complex, multi-year awards. Their ability to win a competitively awarded contract of this magnitude suggests a strong proposal and a perceived capability to execute the research effectively. Further analysis would involve reviewing their publication record, prior grant successes, and any documented performance issues on previous NIH awards.

How does the $14.4 million award compare to other federal funding for AIDS research in the specified period?

The $14.4 million award represents a substantial investment in AIDS research over its nearly 7-year duration. To benchmark this, one would need to examine the total federal outlays for AIDS research during the contract period (2002-2009) and identify other major grants awarded by NIH and other agencies. For instance, comparing this to the average size of R01 grants (NIH's standard research project grant) or other large center grants would provide context. Given the specialized nature of applied and exploratory research, this award appears to be a significant, targeted investment rather than a broad-spectrum funding initiative.

What are the primary research objectives and expected outcomes of this specific AIDS research contract?

The data provided categorizes this as 'AIDS RESEARCH (APPLIED/EXPLORATORY)'. Applied research aims to solve practical problems, while exploratory research seeks to understand fundamental principles. Therefore, this contract likely funds studies designed to investigate specific aspects of HIV/AIDS pathogenesis, transmission, or potential therapeutic targets, moving beyond basic science to explore practical applications or novel avenues of investigation. Expected outcomes would include new scientific knowledge, potential identification of new diagnostic markers or treatment strategies, and publications in peer-reviewed journals, contributing to the broader scientific understanding and eventual control of the epidemic.

What is the significance of the 'COST NO FEE' contract type (PT: COST NO FEE) in the context of this research award?

The 'COST NO FEE' contract type (often referred to as Cost-Reimbursement, No Fee) is common for research and development contracts, especially with non-profit institutions like universities. It means the contractor (University of Maryland) is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred in performing the research, but does not receive any additional profit or fee on top of those costs. This structure is used when the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset, as is typical in research, and the focus is on supporting the research effort rather than delivering a specific end product for a fixed price. It ensures that the research can proceed without the contractor bearing financial risk for unforeseen research expenses.

How does the duration of this contract (2494 days) influence the assessment of its value and risk?

A contract duration of 2494 days (approximately 6.8 years) is quite long for a research grant. This extended period allows for sustained investigation, which is often necessary for complex scientific endeavors like AIDS research, potentially leading to more significant breakthroughs. However, it also introduces risks: research priorities can shift, scientific understanding can evolve rapidly, and the initial research plan may become outdated. From a value perspective, the long duration necessitates careful monitoring to ensure continued relevance and progress. It also means that the $14.4 million is spread over many years, making the annual expenditure more manageable but requiring consistent funding commitment from the agency.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: University System of Maryland (UEI: 003256088)

Address: 737 W LOMBARD ST, BALTIMORE, MD, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $106,645,662

Exercised Options: $59,192,907

Current Obligation: $14,408,901

Timeline