NIH awarded $10.8M for R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences to Bavarian Nordic A/S

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,860,308 ($10.9M)

Contractor: Bavarian Nordic A/S

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2003-02-14

End Date: 2009-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,420 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.5K/day

Pricing Type: NOT REPORTED

Sector: R&D

Official Description: OPERATIONS RESEARCH & QUANTITATIVE

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $10.9 million to BAVARIAN NORDIC A/S for work described as: OPERATIONS RESEARCH & QUANTITATIVE Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a multi-year R&D effort in a specialized scientific field. 2. Limited competition dynamics may have influenced final pricing. 3. Contract duration of over 6 years suggests a long-term research objective. 4. Performance context is within the broader scope of NIH's mission to advance health knowledge. 5. Sector positioning is within the R&D segment of the life sciences industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $10.8 million over approximately 6.5 years averages to about $1.66 million per year. Without specific deliverables or comparable contracts for similar research, it's difficult to definitively benchmark value. However, R&D contracts of this nature can be costly due to specialized personnel, equipment, and the inherent uncertainty of research outcomes. The lack of detailed performance data makes a precise value assessment challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The competition level for this contract is not specified in the provided data. If it was competed, the number of bidders would be crucial to understanding price discovery. If it was sole-source or limited, it could indicate a lack of available qualified contractors or a specific need that only one entity could fulfill, potentially leading to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The level of competition directly impacts taxpayer value. Robust competition typically drives down prices and encourages innovation, leading to better use of public funds. Limited or no competition can result in inflated costs and reduced innovation.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely researchers and institutions involved in the specific R&D area funded by NIH. Services delivered include advanced research and development activities within the physical, engineering, and life sciences. Geographic impact is likely concentrated around the research institutions conducting the work, potentially with broader implications for public health. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, technicians, and support staff involved in the research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding competition level hinders assessment of fair pricing.
Absence of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to evaluate research effectiveness.
Contract duration without clear milestones could pose a risk of cost overruns if research objectives are not met efficiently.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a known entity (Bavarian Nordic A/S) suggests some level of established capability.
Long contract duration indicates a commitment to a potentially significant research endeavor.
Focus on R&D aligns with NIH's core mission to advance scientific knowledge.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on the physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for innovation and scientific advancement, often characterized by high upfront investment, long development cycles, and significant intellectual property generation. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific sub-field of R&D, but federal investment in scientific research is substantial across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Bavarian Nordic A/S voluntarily engaged small businesses as subcontractors, which is not specified.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms would typically involve the National Institutes of Health (NIH) program officials and contracting officers monitoring progress and expenditures. Accountability measures are usually tied to research milestones and reporting requirements. Transparency is often limited for specific R&D contracts due to proprietary information and the nature of scientific inquiry. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Biomedical Research Grants
National Science Foundation R&D Funding
Department of Defense Research Contracts
Advanced Technology Development Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition data
Unspecified performance metrics
Limited value benchmarking data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $10.9 million to BAVARIAN NORDIC A/S. OPERATIONS RESEARCH & QUANTITATIVE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BAVARIAN NORDIC A/S.

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 $10.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-02-14. End: 2009-09-30.

What specific research areas within the physical, engineering, and life sciences did this contract support?

The provided data categorizes this contract under 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' (NAICS code 541710) and identifies the contractor as Bavarian Nordic A/S. However, it does not specify the precise research areas or scientific disciplines that the $10.8 million award funded. To understand the specific research focus, one would need to consult the contract's statement of work, any associated technical reports, or NIH's project databases. This level of detail is crucial for assessing the scientific merit and potential impact of the funded research.

How does the $10.8 million contract value compare to other R&D contracts awarded by NIH for similar research areas?

Benchmarking the $10.8 million contract value requires identifying comparable R&D contracts awarded by NIH or other agencies for research in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. Factors such as the specific scientific field, research objectives, contract duration (2420 days, approximately 6.7 years), and the nature of the work (e.g., basic research vs. applied development) are critical for a meaningful comparison. Without access to a database of similar NIH R&D contracts and their values, it is challenging to definitively state whether $10.8 million represents a high, low, or average investment for this type of research. The lack of detailed tasking information further complicates this comparison.

What were the key performance indicators or milestones associated with this contract, and were they met?

The provided data does not include information on the key performance indicators (KPIs), milestones, or deliverables associated with this contract. For R&D contracts, these typically involve achieving specific scientific outcomes, publishing research findings, developing prototypes, or meeting technical specifications. Assessing whether the contractor met these objectives would require reviewing performance reports, final technical assessments, or any contract close-out documentation. The absence of this information limits the ability to evaluate the effectiveness and success of the research funded by this award.

What is Bavarian Nordic A/S's track record with federal R&D contracts, particularly with NIH?

Bavarian Nordic A/S is a known entity in the biotechnology and vaccine development space. While this specific contract was awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) via the National Institutes of Health (NIH), their broader federal contracting history, especially with NIH, would need to be examined to fully assess their track record. Information regarding past performance, successful delivery on previous R&D contracts, and any history of performance issues or disputes would be relevant. A review of federal procurement databases and agency performance records would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their experience and reliability in executing government research contracts.

What was the rationale for the contract's duration of over 6 years?

The contract duration of approximately 6.7 years (2420 days) suggests that the research and development activities undertaken were expected to be long-term and complex. Many scientific endeavors, particularly in the life sciences and advanced engineering, require extended periods for experimentation, data analysis, validation, and potential iteration. A longer duration allows for sustained focus on challenging scientific questions, the development of intricate technologies, or the progression through multiple phases of research without the interruption of frequent re-competition. The specific rationale would be detailed in the contract's statement of work and justification for award.

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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Contractor Details

Address: BOGESKOVVEJ 9, KVISTG?RD

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,216,666

Exercised Options: $26,385,497

Current Obligation: $10,860,308

Timeline