HHS awards $3.16M contract to Allucent for decentralized care and clinical research innovation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,159,479 ($3.2M)

Contractor: Allucent Government Services (US) LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-07-08

End Date: 2026-07-07

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE AGREEMENT RECIPIENT, ALLUCENT, AND BIOMEDICAL ADVANCED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (BARDA) TO ENHANCE INNOVATION WITH DECENTRALIZED CARE CAPABILITIES AND TO EXECUTE MORE EFFICIENT AND RELEVANT CLINICAL RESEARCH IN THE

Place of Performance

Location: CARY, WAKE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27513

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.2 million to ALLUCENT GOVERNMENT SERVICES (US) LLC for work described as: A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE AGREEMENT RECIPIENT, ALLUCENT, AND BIOMEDICAL ADVANCED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (BARDA) TO ENHANCE INNOVATION WITH DECENTRALIZED CARE CAPABILITIES AND TO EXECUTE MORE EFFICIENT AND RELEVANT CLINICAL RESEARCH IN THE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on enhancing decentralized care capabilities and improving clinical research efficiency. 2. The award is a definitive contract, indicating a long-term commitment for research and development. 3. Allucent Government Services, a US-based entity, is the primary contractor. 4. The contract falls under the Research and Development in Biotechnology category. 5. Funding is allocated for a period of approximately two years. 6. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.16 million for a two-year research and development effort appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized biotechnology research. Benchmarking against similar contracts for clinical research support and decentralized care innovation would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a precise comparison is difficult, but the fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to control costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovative solutions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery and selection of the most capable offeror.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a level playing field for contractors, which can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are patients who may experience more efficient and accessible clinical research through decentralized care models. The contract aims to deliver enhanced innovation in healthcare delivery and clinical trial execution. The geographic impact is likely national, focusing on the advancement of healthcare research methodologies. Workforce implications may include specialized roles in clinical research coordination and biotechnology development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Scope of work clarity for decentralized care implementation needs further detail to assess full impact.
Measuring the long-term effectiveness and scalability of the innovations developed under this contract will be crucial.

Positive Signals

Focus on innovation in decentralized care aligns with modern healthcare trends and patient-centric approaches.
The firm fixed-price contract structure provides cost predictability for the government.
Awarding through full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Biotechnology Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on innovations in decentralized care and clinical research. This sector is characterized by high investment in R&D, rapid technological advancements, and a growing demand for more efficient and patient-friendly clinical trial methodologies. Comparable spending in this area can vary widely based on the specific research focus, but government investment in health innovation remains a significant component of the R&D landscape.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside. Therefore, there is no direct indication of small business participation through a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Allucent Government Services, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill parts of the contract, which would be a positive outcome for the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). Mechanisms for oversight would include regular progress reports from the contractor, performance reviews, and potentially site visits. Accountability is ensured through the definitive contract terms and the firm fixed-price structure. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific project details may be proprietary.

Related Government Programs

Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) initiatives
Clinical Research Support Services
Healthcare Innovation and Technology Development
Decentralized Clinical Trials

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if decentralized care capabilities are not clearly defined.
Ensuring data integrity and security in decentralized research environments.
Scalability and long-term adoption of developed technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.2 million to ALLUCENT GOVERNMENT SERVICES (US) LLC. A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE AGREEMENT RECIPIENT, ALLUCENT, AND BIOMEDICAL ADVANCED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (BARDA) TO ENHANCE INNOVATION WITH DECENTRALIZED CARE CAPABILITIES AND TO EXECUTE MORE EFFICIENT AND RELEVANT CLINICAL RESEARCH IN THE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALLUCENT GOVERNMENT SERVICES (US) LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-08. End: 2026-07-07.

What specific decentralized care capabilities is Allucent expected to enhance?

The contract aims to enhance innovation with decentralized care capabilities. While the specific capabilities are not detailed in the provided data, this generally refers to healthcare delivery models that move services away from traditional hospital settings and closer to patients' homes or communities. This can include remote patient monitoring, telehealth services, mobile health clinics, and at-home diagnostic or treatment options. The goal is to make healthcare more accessible, convenient, and potentially more cost-effective, especially for clinical research, by reducing the burden on participants to travel to research sites.

How does this contract compare to other R&D contracts in biotechnology awarded by HHS?

The $3.16 million value for a two-year definitive contract in biotechnology R&D is moderate. HHS, particularly through BARDA and other agencies, awards a wide range of contracts in this sector, from smaller grants for early-stage research to multi-million dollar agreements for advanced development and manufacturing. Contracts focused on specific therapeutic areas or platform technologies can range from hundreds of thousands to tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. This particular award appears to be for a focused effort on improving research methodologies and care delivery, rather than developing a specific drug or vaccine, placing it in the mid-range for specialized R&D support.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, for a contract focused on enhancing decentralized care capabilities and executing more efficient clinical research, typical KPIs would likely include metrics related to the successful implementation of new care models, improvements in patient recruitment and retention for clinical trials, data quality and integrity from decentralized research, adherence to timelines and budgets, and potentially the development of scalable technological solutions. The firm fixed-price nature suggests that meeting defined deliverables within the agreed cost is a primary performance expectation.

What is the track record of Allucent Government Services in similar R&D contracts?

Allucent Government Services (US) LLC is the contractor. Allucent, as a broader entity, has a significant history in supporting clinical research and development, often working with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as government agencies. Their expertise typically spans clinical trial management, regulatory affairs, and drug development consulting. While specific details on their track record with HHS for R&D in decentralized care are not in the provided snippet, their established presence in the life sciences sector suggests they possess relevant experience. A deeper dive into their contract history with government entities would reveal specific successes and challenges in similar projects.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract?

Potential risks include the technical challenges in developing and implementing novel decentralized care capabilities, which may face adoption hurdles or require significant technological integration. Ensuring the quality and reliability of data collected through decentralized methods is critical for clinical research validity. There's also a risk that the innovations developed may not achieve the desired efficiency gains or may not be scalable across different research protocols or healthcare settings. Furthermore, regulatory compliance and data privacy concerns are inherent in any healthcare-related technology development.

How does this contract align with broader HHS strategic goals?

This contract aligns with broader HHS strategic goals by promoting innovation in healthcare delivery and research. HHS has consistently emphasized the importance of modernizing clinical trials, increasing patient access to care, and leveraging technology to improve health outcomes. Decentralized care models are a key component of this modernization, aiming to make research more inclusive and efficient. By supporting the development of these capabilities, the contract contributes to HHS's objectives of advancing biomedical research, enhancing public health preparedness, and fostering a more patient-centered healthcare system.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 2023-BARDA-DCOHRE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2000 CENTRE GREEN WAY STE 300, CARY, NC, 27513

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,039,067

Exercised Options: $3,159,479

Current Obligation: $3,159,479

Actual Outlays: $1,271,890

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline