NIH awards $27.1M to University of Texas Health Science Center for research services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,167,864 ($27.2M)

Contractor: University of Texas Health Science Center AT Houston

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2000-04-15

End Date: 2014-11-03

Contract Duration: 5,315 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Healthcare

Place of Performance

Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77030

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $27.2 million to UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON for work described as: Key points: 1. Significant award to a single academic institution. 2. Focus on research services suggests specialized expertise. 3. Long contract duration (over 14 years) warrants review. 4. No explicit mention of small business participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $27.1M over 14 years is substantial. Without specific deliverables or benchmarks, it's difficult to assess value for money. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type suggests reimbursement of actual costs, which can be less price-sensitive than fixed-price contracts.

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 may limit direct price discovery compared to other contract types.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting critical research services. The value for money depends on the successful outcomes and efficiency of the research conducted under this award.

Public Impact

Supports advanced medical research potentially leading to health breakthroughs. Investment in a major academic health center contributes to scientific infrastructure. Long-term funding provides stability for ongoing research projects.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration
Cost-reimbursement contract type
Lack of small business participation noted

Positive Signals

Full and open competition
Award to reputable health science center

Sector Analysis

This award falls within the healthcare and research sector, specifically supporting biomedical research. Spending benchmarks for similar research services contracts can vary widely based on the scope and complexity of the research.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract did not involve small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities for small business subcontracting were missed or if the nature of the research precluded their involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The long duration of the contract suggests a need for robust oversight to ensure milestones are met and funds are used appropriately. Periodic reviews and performance assessments are crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to 'COST NO FEE' structure
Lack of clear performance metrics in summary data
Long contract duration may reduce flexibility
No indication of small business utilization

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $27.2 million to UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON.

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 $27.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2000-04-15. End: 2014-11-03.

What specific research services were funded by this award, and what were the key performance indicators?

The provided data does not specify the exact research services. However, given the awardee, it likely pertains to biomedical or health-related research. Key performance indicators would typically be defined in the contract's statement of work, focusing on research progress, data collection, analysis, and dissemination of findings.

How was the 'COST NO FEE' structure managed to ensure cost efficiency and prevent overspending?

Cost-reimbursement contracts, like 'COST NO FEE', require rigorous monitoring of expenditures against an approved budget. The agency (NIH) would likely have established detailed reporting requirements, audit procedures, and potentially spending caps or ceilings to manage costs effectively and ensure the funds were used for authorized research purposes.

What is the long-term impact of this research funding on public health outcomes?

The long-term impact is contingent on the success of the research conducted. If the research leads to new treatments, diagnostic tools, or a better understanding of diseases, the public health impact could be significant, potentially improving patient care and reducing disease burden.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: University of Texas System (UEI: 042000273)

Address: 7000 FANNIN ST, HOUSTON, TX, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $105,437,626

Exercised Options: $104,040,864

Current Obligation: $27,167,864

Timeline