HHS awards $269K contract to Dalhousie University for R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,693,797 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Dalhousie University

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-09-29

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,279 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: BAA TOPIC 36 - DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.7 million to DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY for work described as: BAA TOPIC 36 - DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY Key points: 1. Contract focuses on research and development within the physical, engineering, and life sciences, excluding nanotechnology and biotechnology. 2. The contract is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price, indicating a clear scope and payment structure. 3. Awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 4. The contract duration is over 3 years, suggesting a project of moderate complexity or scope. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 points to research and development services. 6. This award represents a small portion of overall federal R&D spending, but contributes to specific scientific advancements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $269,379 is relatively small in the context of federal R&D spending. Without specific benchmarks for similar research projects under NAICS 541715, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the costs involved. Further analysis would require comparing the deliverables and outcomes to the price paid, as well as to other contracts for similar research.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is generally expected to yield fair pricing and innovative solutions. The fact that it was competed openly implies that Dalhousie University was selected based on merit and cost-effectiveness compared to other potential offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a marketplace where the best value is sought, potentially leading to lower costs and higher quality research outcomes.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is Dalhousie University, which will receive funding to conduct research and development activities. The services delivered will contribute to advancements in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is likely focused on the research institutions involved and potentially broader scientific communities through published findings. Workforce implications include support for researchers, technicians, and administrative staff at Dalhousie University.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for research outcomes to be less impactful than anticipated given the modest funding level.
Ensuring clear and measurable deliverables within the firm fixed-price contract to avoid scope creep or cost overruns.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive and cost-effective selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Longer contract duration allows for sustained research effort and potential for significant findings.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The R&D sector is a critical component of federal spending, driving innovation and technological advancement across various fields. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts awarded under NAICS code 541715, particularly those issued by agencies like the CDC for scientific research.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to a university suggests a focus on academic research capabilities rather than direct engagement with the small business industrial base for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by linking payment to defined deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Grants
National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Awards
Department of Defense (DoD) Research and Development Contracts

Risk Flags

Research Scope Definition
Deliverable Attainment
Scientific Impact Realization

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.7 million to DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY. BAA TOPIC 36 - DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-29. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific research area Dalhousie University will focus on under this contract?

The contract specifies Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) under NAICS code 541715. While the broad category is defined, the precise research topic or hypothesis Dalhousie University will investigate is not detailed in the provided data. Further information would be needed from the contract statement of work to understand the specific scientific questions being addressed. This could range from fundamental biological research to applied engineering solutions within the specified domains.

How does the $269,379 award compare to typical federal R&D spending for similar projects?

The $269,379 award is on the smaller side for federal R&D contracts, especially those involving significant scientific inquiry. Federal R&D spending can range from millions to billions of dollars depending on the scope, agency, and research area. For instance, major research initiatives by agencies like NIH or NSF often involve much larger sums. This particular contract might represent a focused, specific research task or a pilot study. Benchmarking against other contracts under NAICS 541715 from agencies like the CDC would provide a more precise comparison, but generally, this amount suggests a targeted research effort rather than a large-scale program.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract?

Potential risks include the possibility that the research may not yield the desired outcomes or breakthroughs, especially given the modest funding. There's also a risk related to the effective management of the firm fixed-price contract to ensure deliverables are met without scope creep. Ensuring the chosen research aligns with CDC's strategic priorities and that the selected contractor, Dalhousie University, has the appropriate expertise and infrastructure are also key considerations. Finally, the long-term impact and applicability of the research findings could be a risk if not well-defined in the scope of work.

What is Dalhousie University's track record in receiving federal research grants or contracts?

Dalhousie University is a well-established research-intensive university in Canada. While this specific contract is with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Canadian universities frequently engage in international research collaborations and secure funding from various global sources, including U.S. federal agencies. Dalhousie has a strong reputation in various scientific fields. To assess its specific track record with U.S. federal agencies, a deeper dive into federal procurement databases and grant award histories would be necessary, looking for previous awards from HHS, CDC, NIH, NSF, and other relevant bodies.

What are the expected deliverables or outcomes of this research contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact deliverables or outcomes of this research contract. However, typical deliverables for R&D contracts in the physical, engineering, and life sciences include research reports, data analysis, scientific publications, presentations at conferences, and potentially prototypes or methodologies. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract implies that these deliverables would have been clearly defined in the Statement of Work (SOW) prior to award, allowing the government to assess successful completion and make payments accordingly.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6299 SOUTH ST, HALIFAX

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Foreign Owned, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,693,797

Exercised Options: $2,693,797

Current Obligation: $2,693,797

Actual Outlays: $2,020,380

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline