NIH awards $18.1M for R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences to Yale University

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,148,102 ($18.1M)

Contractor: Yale Univ

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2002-09-15

End Date: 2009-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,664 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 21

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Place of Performance

Location: NEW HAVEN, NEW HAVEN County, CONNECTICUT, 06520

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $18.1 million to YALE UNIV for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. Long duration of 2664 days (over 7 years) indicates a significant, long-term research endeavor. 3. The contract type 'COST NO FEE' suggests the government reimburses allowable costs without an additional fee to the contractor. 4. The award was made by the National Institutes of Health, a major funder of biomedical research. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541710 points to research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 6. The contract was awarded to Yale University, a prominent research institution.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables or performance metrics. The 'COST NO FEE' structure means the government covers expenses, but the overall value depends on the success and impact of the research. Comparing it to similar R&D grants would require detailed analysis of research scope and outcomes. The total award of $18.1 million over more than seven years suggests a substantial investment in scientific inquiry.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 21 bids suggests a robust level of interest and competition for this research opportunity. A high number of bidders generally supports price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing, although for R&D contracts, the focus is often on technical merit and innovation as much as cost.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down costs or ensured the best possible research proposal was selected within budget constraints.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are researchers at Yale University, who receive funding to conduct scientific studies. The services delivered are research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, potentially leading to new discoveries and innovations. The geographic impact is primarily within Connecticut, where Yale University is located, but the scientific findings could have a global impact. Workforce implications include support for researchers, technicians, and administrative staff involved in the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'COST NO FEE' contract type requires careful monitoring to ensure that all reimbursed costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable.
Long contract durations can sometimes lead to scope creep or a drift from original objectives if not actively managed.
Assessing the true 'value for money' in R&D can be difficult, as outcomes are inherently uncertain and may not yield immediate commercial or societal benefits.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition with 21 bids, indicating a strong interest and potentially competitive selection process.
The contract is with a reputable research institution (Yale University), suggesting a high likelihood of scientific rigor and expertise.
The significant funding amount signals a commitment to advancing knowledge in critical scientific fields.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This sector is characterized by innovation, long-term investment, and often government funding to drive scientific advancement. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large R&D grants awarded by agencies like NIH to universities and research institutions, considering the specific scientific disciplines involved.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides. The award to a large university suggests the primary focus was on institutional research capabilities rather than specific small business participation. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on the specific research projects undertaken by Yale University and their procurement needs.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Mechanisms likely include regular progress reports, financial reviews of reimbursed costs, and potentially site visits. The Inspector General of HHS would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract funds.

Related Government Programs

National Institutes of Health Research Grants
Department of Health and Human Services R&D Funding
University Research Partnerships
Federal Funding for Basic Science

Risk Flags

Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Cost-reimbursement nature necessitates careful monitoring of expenditures.
R&D outcomes are inherently uncertain, making value assessment challenging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $18.1 million to YALE UNIV. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is YALE UNIV.

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 $18.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2002-09-15. End: 2009-12-31.

What specific research areas within physical, engineering, and life sciences were funded by this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541710, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.' However, it does not specify the precise research areas. Typically, NIH grants under this broad category can encompass a vast array of disciplines, including but not limited to, materials science, biotechnology, environmental engineering, medical device development, computational biology, and fundamental physics or chemistry relevant to biological systems. A detailed review of the contract's statement of work or associated project descriptions would be necessary to identify the specific scientific focus.

How does the $18.1 million award compare to typical NIH R&D grants of similar duration?

The $18.1 million award over approximately 7.3 years (2664 days) averages to about $2.48 million per year. This figure is substantial but falls within the range of large, multi-year research grants awarded by NIH, particularly for complex projects involving multiple research teams or significant infrastructure. NIH grants vary widely based on the scientific field, the scope of research, and the institution's needs. For instance, large center grants or program project grants can easily reach several million dollars annually. Without knowing the specific research aims, this award appears to be a significant investment, consistent with major federal funding initiatives for scientific advancement.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'COST NO FEE' contract of this length?

A 'COST NO FEE' contract means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable, allocable, and reasonable costs incurred in performing the contract, but does not pay an additional fee. Risks include potential for cost overruns if the research proves more expensive than anticipated, and the need for rigorous oversight to ensure all claimed costs are legitimate and directly related to the research objectives. The long duration (over 7 years) increases the risk of scope creep, where project objectives may evolve significantly, potentially leading to unforeseen costs or a deviation from the original intent. Effective contract management and clear communication between the agency and the contractor are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is Yale University's track record in securing and managing federal research grants?

Yale University is a major research institution with a long and established history of securing and managing significant federal research grants, particularly from agencies like NIH. As a leading academic institution, it possesses the infrastructure, expertise, and administrative capacity to handle complex, large-scale research projects. While specific performance metrics for all past grants are not detailed here, Yale's consistent ability to attract substantial federal funding indicates a strong track record in research excellence and responsible grant management. The sheer volume of research conducted at Yale suggests a robust system for compliance and reporting.

How does the competition level (21 bids) impact the potential for innovation in this R&D contract?

A high level of competition, with 21 bids received for this contract, generally suggests that the research opportunity was attractive and that multiple entities possessed the capability to undertake the work. For R&D, this competition can foster innovation by encouraging bidders to propose novel approaches, cutting-edge methodologies, and potentially more impactful research outcomes to differentiate themselves. While cost is a factor, the selection process likely weighed technical merit and innovative potential heavily. The diversity of proposals submitted by 21 bidders could introduce a wider range of ideas and solutions than might emerge from a less competitive scenario.

What are the implications of this contract for the broader scientific community beyond Yale?

This contract, by funding research in physical, engineering, and life sciences, has the potential to generate new knowledge and discoveries that benefit the broader scientific community. The results are likely to be published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences, and contribute to the public domain, advancing understanding in various fields. Furthermore, the research may lead to the development of new tools, techniques, or methodologies that can be adopted by other researchers. Depending on the nature of the discoveries, it could also spur further research efforts, collaborations, and potentially attract additional funding to related scientific areas.

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

Offers Received: 21

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Contractor Details

Address: 206 ELM ST, NEW HAVEN, CT, 03

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,467,931

Exercised Options: $2,467,931

Current Obligation: $18,148,102

Timeline