HHS awards $3.55M to Children's National for BARDA Accelerator Network 2.0 Special Populations Hub

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,552,500 ($3.6M)

Contractor: Children's Research Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-08-23

End Date: 2027-08-20

Contract Duration: 1,092 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: BARDA ACCELERATOR NETWORK 2.0, SPECIAL POPULATIONS HUB - CHILDREN'S NATIONAL

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20010

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.6 million to CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE for work described as: BARDA ACCELERATOR NETWORK 2.0, SPECIAL POPULATIONS HUB - CHILDREN'S NATIONAL Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advancing medical countermeasures for specific populations. 2. Value for money assessed against similar research and development contracts. 3. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process. 4. Performance context is within the broader Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) mission. 5. Sector positioning aligns with public health preparedness and innovation. 6. Risk indicators are moderate, typical for R&D initiatives.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.55 million appears reasonable for a specialized research and development initiative focused on specific populations within the BARDA Accelerator Network. Benchmarking against similar contracts for R&D services in public health preparedness suggests this is within the expected range. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, contributing to a good assessment of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit proposals. The presence of 5 bidders suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this specialized service. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures the government can select the most capable offeror.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition with multiple bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing, potentially saving taxpayer dollars compared to less competitive award methods.

Public Impact

Children's National, a leading pediatric health system, will benefit through this contract. The contract aims to deliver advancements in medical countermeasures for special populations, including children. Geographic impact is primarily focused on the District of Columbia, where Children's National is located, but the research has national implications. Workforce implications include support for scientific and technical personnel involved in research and development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in long-term R&D projects.
Reliance on specific expertise may limit alternative solutions.
Ensuring equitable access to developed countermeasures across diverse populations.

Positive Signals

Focus on underserved special populations addresses critical public health needs.
Leverages established expertise at Children's National for specialized research.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader scientific and technical services sector, specifically focusing on research and development for public health and medical countermeasures. The market for such specialized R&D is driven by government funding for biodefense and pandemic preparedness. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within BARDA's overall portfolio and other agencies funding similar life sciences research.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement (ss: false, sb: false). While this contract is not directly set aside for small businesses, the prime contractor, Children's Research Institute, may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services or supplies, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within HHS. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract's performance requirements and reporting obligations. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though specific project details may be subject to proprietary or sensitive information.

Related Government Programs

BARDA Accelerator Network
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Programs
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Grants
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Initiatives

Risk Flags

R&D project inherent uncertainties
Potential for long development timelines
Dependence on future regulatory approvals

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.6 million to CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE. BARDA ACCELERATOR NETWORK 2.0, SPECIAL POPULATIONS HUB - CHILDREN'S NATIONAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE.

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 $3.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-23. End: 2027-08-20.

What is the track record of Children's Research Institute in managing similar federal R&D contracts?

Children's Research Institute, affiliated with Children's National Hospital, has a strong track record in pediatric research and development. While specific contract management details for federal R&D of this scale are not publicly detailed in the provided data, their institutional mission and existing research infrastructure suggest a capacity to manage complex scientific projects. Further analysis would require examining their past performance on government grants and contracts, particularly those related to public health and medical countermeasures, to assess their experience with federal acquisition regulations, reporting requirements, and timely delivery of research milestones.

How does the $3.55 million award compare to other BARDA Accelerator Network initiatives?

The $3.55 million award for the BARDA Accelerator Network 2.0 Special Populations Hub appears to be a moderate-sized contract within the context of BARDA's overall funding activities. BARDA often awards contracts ranging from a few million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars for advanced research, development, and manufacturing of medical countermeasures. The specific value is likely tailored to the scope of work for this particular hub, focusing on specialized populations. Without direct comparative data on other 'hubs' within the Accelerator Network, it's difficult to definitively benchmark, but it aligns with typical R&D project funding levels.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific R&D contract?

The primary risks associated with this R&D contract include the inherent scientific uncertainty in developing novel medical countermeasures, potential delays in research timelines, and the possibility that developed solutions may not meet efficacy or safety standards. There's also a risk related to the specific focus on 'special populations,' which may require unique methodologies and face challenges in recruitment or data collection. Furthermore, the long-term viability and adoption of any developed countermeasures depend on future regulatory approvals and market demand, which are outside the direct control of this contract.

How effective is the BARDA Accelerator Network in achieving its stated goals?

The BARDA Accelerator Network aims to foster innovation and speed the development of medical countermeasures by connecting innovators with resources, expertise, and funding. Its effectiveness is generally viewed positively in its ability to de-risk early-stage technologies and facilitate partnerships. However, measuring the ultimate 'effectiveness' in terms of successfully bringing countermeasures to market is a long-term endeavor. Success metrics often include the number of technologies advanced, successful clinical trial initiations, and ultimately, the availability of new countermeasures during public health emergencies. The network's structure is designed to improve these outcomes by addressing critical gaps in the R&D pipeline.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar 'special populations' research within HHS?

HHS, through agencies like BARDA, NIH, and CDC, has consistently allocated significant funding towards research addressing specific health needs, including those of special populations. While 'special populations' can encompass various groups (pediatric, elderly, pregnant women, immunocompromised, etc.), funding for pediatric health research, in particular, has seen steady investment. Historical spending patterns show a commitment to advancing medical knowledge and countermeasures for these groups, often through targeted solicitations and grants. The BARDA Accelerator Network represents a strategic approach to consolidate and accelerate these efforts, suggesting an increasing focus on efficient R&D for critical needs.

What is the significance of the 'Special Populations Hub' designation?

The 'Special Populations Hub' designation signifies a strategic focus within the BARDA Accelerator Network to address the unique medical needs of specific demographic groups that may be underserved by general medical countermeasures. This can include children, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with pre-existing conditions, or other vulnerable populations. By creating dedicated hubs, BARDA aims to ensure that research and development efforts are tailored to the specific physiological, developmental, or health considerations of these groups, leading to more effective and appropriate medical solutions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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: 23-BARDA-SOL-BAN_2

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 111 MICHIGAN AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20010

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,552,500

Exercised Options: $3,552,500

Current Obligation: $3,552,500

Actual Outlays: $1,513,105

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline