ARPA-H awards $348K for AI-driven pediatric telehealth instruments, focusing on R&D in life sciences

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,480,960 ($3.5M)

Contractor: Belletorus Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-09-18

End Date: 2025-09-17

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ARPA-H O1 SBIR PHASE II - NOVEL TELEHEALTH INSTRUMENTS FOR ASSESSING PEDIATRIC WELL-BEING. PROJECT TITLE: DIGITAL ASSESSMENT OF CHILDREN'S CONDITIONS USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ("DACCS AI")

Place of Performance

Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02142

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.5 million to BELLETORUS CORPORATION for work described as: ARPA-H O1 SBIR PHASE II - NOVEL TELEHEALTH INSTRUMENTS FOR ASSESSING PEDIATRIC WELL-BEING. PROJECT TITLE: DIGITAL ASSESSMENT OF CHILDREN'S CONDITIONS USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ("DACCS AI") Key points: 1. Contract focuses on innovative research and development in pediatric health assessment. 2. Utilizes artificial intelligence for digital assessment of children's conditions. 3. Awarded under a firm-fixed-price contract type, indicating defined scope and cost. 4. The contract duration is two years, allowing for project development and testing. 5. Small business participation is not a primary focus of this specific award. 6. The project aligns with ARPA-H's mission to drive biomedical innovation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $348,096 for a two-year R&D project appears reasonable for a Phase II SBIR award. While direct comparisons are difficult due to the novel nature of the technology, SBIR Phase II awards typically range from $500K to $1.5M, making this award on the lower end. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests a clear understanding of project scope and deliverables, which can contribute to value for money if milestones are met.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which suggests an initial broader competition followed by a specific exclusion. This is not a standard 'full and open' competition. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'exclusion of sources' implies a targeted approach rather than a wide-open solicitation, potentially limiting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition aspect means taxpayers may not have benefited from the lowest possible price that could have been achieved through a truly open bidding process.

Public Impact

Children's health and well-being are the primary beneficiaries through improved diagnostic tools. The project aims to deliver novel telehealth instruments for pediatric assessment. Geographic impact is likely national, with potential for wider adoption in healthcare systems. Workforce implications include potential for new roles in health tech development and deployment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may have restricted price optimization for taxpayers.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause requires careful scrutiny to ensure fairness and justification.
The novel nature of AI in pediatric health introduces potential ethical and data privacy concerns.

Positive Signals

Focus on pediatric well-being addresses a critical healthcare need.
Leveraging AI for diagnostics represents a forward-thinking approach to healthcare.
SBIR Phase II funding supports the transition of innovative research into practical applications.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for health technology, particularly AI-driven solutions for pediatrics, is rapidly growing. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish for such niche R&D, but investments in digital health and AI for medical applications are increasing across government and private sectors.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the 'small business' flag is false. While the contractor, BELLETORUS CORPORATION, is likely a small business given the SBIR program context, there is no explicit subcontracting requirement mentioned for this award. The focus is on the direct R&D effort by the awardee.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through ARPA-H, involving regular progress reports and milestone reviews. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides a degree of accountability for deliverables. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific technical details of the AI may be proprietary.

Related Government Programs

SBIR Program
ARPA-H Initiatives
Pediatric Health Research
Digital Health Technologies
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Risk Flags

Limited competition justification required.
AI bias and ethical considerations.
Data privacy and security protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.5 million to BELLETORUS CORPORATION. ARPA-H O1 SBIR PHASE II - NOVEL TELEHEALTH INSTRUMENTS FOR ASSESSING PEDIATRIC WELL-BEING. PROJECT TITLE: DIGITAL ASSESSMENT OF CHILDREN'S CONDITIONS USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ("DACCS AI")

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BELLETORUS CORPORATION.

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 $3.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-18. End: 2025-09-17.

What is the specific innovation proposed by BELLETORUS CORPORATION for assessing pediatric well-being using AI?

BELLETORUS CORPORATION's project, "Digital Assessment of Children's Conditions Using Artificial Intelligence (DACCS AI)," aims to develop novel telehealth instruments. These instruments will leverage artificial intelligence to analyze various data points, potentially including visual cues, vocalizations, or physiological signals, to assess a child's well-being. The goal is to create a more objective, scalable, and accessible method for monitoring pediatric health remotely, which could be particularly beneficial for early detection of developmental issues or health declines. The specific AI algorithms and data modalities are proprietary but are expected to provide quantitative insights into a child's condition.

How does this contract's value compare to typical SBIR Phase II awards in similar technology areas?

This contract, valued at $348,096, is on the lower end for an SBIR Phase II award. Typically, Phase II awards can range from $500,000 to $1.5 million, allowing for more extensive research, development, and prototype testing. The relatively lower value here might indicate a more focused scope, a shorter development timeline, or a specific milestone-based funding structure within the $348,096. It suggests that ARPA-H may be testing the waters with this specific technology or that the initial development phase requires less capital than typical Phase II projects.

What are the potential risks associated with using AI for pediatric health assessments?

Several risks are associated with using AI for pediatric health assessments. Firstly, data privacy and security are paramount, as sensitive health information of children will be collected and processed. Ensuring compliance with HIPAA and other regulations is critical. Secondly, algorithmic bias is a significant concern; AI models trained on non-diverse datasets may perform poorly or unfairly for certain demographic groups, potentially exacerbating health disparities. Thirdly, the accuracy and reliability of AI diagnoses or assessments need rigorous validation to avoid misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. Finally, the ethical implications of AI making health-related judgments about children, and the potential impact on the doctor-patient relationship, require careful consideration and oversight.

What is the expected impact of this technology on the broader pediatric healthcare landscape?

The successful development of DACCS AI could significantly impact the pediatric healthcare landscape by providing more accessible, objective, and potentially earlier methods for assessing children's well-being. Telehealth instruments powered by AI could enable pediatricians to monitor patients remotely, reducing the need for frequent in-person visits, especially for routine check-ups or follow-ups. This could improve healthcare access for families in rural or underserved areas. Furthermore, AI-driven insights might assist clinicians in identifying subtle signs of developmental delays or health issues that might be missed during standard examinations, leading to earlier interventions and better long-term outcomes for children.

What does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' contract type imply about the procurement process?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' (FACA) contract type is a less common procurement method. It typically implies that an initial broad solicitation was made, but for specific reasons (e.g., unique capabilities, prior research, or specific program needs), certain potential sources were excluded from the final competition. This suggests that while there was an attempt at broad competition, the final selection was narrowed down based on predefined criteria or existing relationships/knowledge. It is not as open as a standard 'full and open' competition and requires justification for the exclusion of otherwise capable sources, aiming to balance competition with specific program objectives.

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 › N – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 75N91023R00041

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 245 FIRST ST, RIVERVIEW II 18TH FLOOR, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02412

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,480,960

Exercised Options: $3,480,960

Current Obligation: $3,480,960

Actual Outlays: $3,480,960

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline