NIH awards $200M+ to Baylor College of Medicine for R&D services over 8 years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,042,293 ($20.0M)
Contractor: Baylor College of Medicine
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2002-06-01
End Date: 2010-09-30
Contract Duration: 3,043 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: R&D-OTHER SVC & DEVELOP-ADV DEV
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77030
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $20.0 million to BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE for work described as: R&D-OTHER SVC & DEVELOP-ADV DEV Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced development R&D. 2. Baylor College of Medicine is a major research institution. 3. Long contract duration suggests complex, ongoing research needs. 4. Potential for high impact in physical, engineering, and life sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is 'COST NO FEE', which is common for R&D where costs are reimbursed but no profit is made. The award amount of over $200M is substantial, but without specific deliverables or benchmarks, assessing value is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bids were likely considered. This method generally promotes competitive pricing, but the 'COST NO FEE' structure focuses on cost reimbursement rather than fixed-price negotiation.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting advanced research and development, with the potential for significant scientific and technological advancements. The long duration and cost-reimbursement nature warrant careful monitoring of expenditures.
Public Impact
Supports cutting-edge research in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Long-term commitment to a single institution may foster deep expertise. Potential for breakthroughs with broad societal benefits. Requires robust oversight to ensure efficient use of funds.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 65 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (8+ years) can lead to cost overruns if not managed.
- Cost-reimbursement contracts can incentivize spending.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
Positive Signals
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- Supports critical R&D in vital scientific fields.
- Long-term partnership can lead to sustained innovation.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' NAICS code. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but can be complex to benchmark due to the varied nature of R&D projects.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). The primary contractor is Baylor College of Medicine, a large research institution, suggesting no direct subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were captured in this data.
Oversight & Accountability
The long duration and cost-reimbursement nature of this contract necessitate strong oversight from NIH to ensure funds are used effectively and research objectives are met. Regular reviews and performance monitoring are critical.
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
- Cost-reimbursement contract.
- Long contract duration.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data.
- No small business participation indicated.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, tx, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $20.0 million to BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. R&D-OTHER SVC & DEVELOP-ADV DEV
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE.
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 $20.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2002-06-01. End: 2010-09-30.
How effectively were research milestones achieved within the $200M+ budget over the contract's lifespan?
Assessing the effectiveness requires detailed review of research outcomes, publications, patents, and adherence to project timelines. Without specific performance reports, it's difficult to quantify the value derived from the $200M+ expenditure. The 'COST NO FEE' structure implies a focus on achieving research goals rather than profit, but rigorous evaluation of scientific progress against funding is essential for accountability.
What were the primary risks associated with a cost-reimbursement contract of this magnitude and duration for advanced R&D?
Key risks include potential cost overruns if research proves more complex or expensive than anticipated, scope creep without adequate justification, and the contractor prioritizing spending to maximize cost recovery. Ensuring robust financial controls, clear communication channels, and independent scientific review are crucial mitigation strategies for NIH.
Did the research funded by this contract lead to significant advancements or innovations in its field?
The ultimate effectiveness hinges on the scientific and technological impact of the R&D conducted. While the contract supported advanced development, determining its success requires analyzing the resulting discoveries, publications, patents, and their subsequent application or influence. A long-term perspective is often needed to fully appreciate the value of such foundational research investments.
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 › Community and Regional Development 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
Address: ONE BAYLOR PLAZA T100, HOUSTON, TX, 77030
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,042,293
Exercised Options: $20,042,293
Current Obligation: $20,042,293
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2002-06-01
Current End Date: 2010-09-30
Potential End Date: 2010-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-11-23
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