NIH Awards $13.7M to UNC for Atherosclerosis Research Operations
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,734,273 ($13.7M)
Contractor: University of North Carolina AT Chapel Hill
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2021-11-15
End Date: 2026-11-14
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE ATHEROSCLEROSIS RISK IN COMMUNITIES (ARIC) STUDY - COORDINATING CENTER - CORE STUDY OPERATIONS- TASK ORDER 01, TASK AREA A
Place of Performance
Location: CHAPEL HILL, CHATHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27516
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $13.7 million to UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL for work described as: THE ATHEROSCLEROSIS RISK IN COMMUNITIES (ARIC) STUDY - COORDINATING CENTER - CORE STUDY OPERATIONS- TASK ORDER 01, TASK AREA A Key points: 1. Significant funding for long-term health research. 2. Competition method suggests potential for fair pricing. 3. Risk of scope creep in multi-year research projects. 4. Sector focus on life sciences R&D.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $13.7M over five years for core study operations appears reasonable for a large-scale, multi-site research initiative. Benchmarking against similar NIH-funded coordinating centers for large cohort studies would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Full and open competition was utilized, which generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a wide range of qualified organizations to bid. This method is expected to yield a fair market price for the services required.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical public health research, aiming to improve understanding and prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Public Impact
Supports vital research into a leading cause of death. Potential for breakthroughs in cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment. Long-term study infrastructure ensures data continuity and reliability.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if research scope expands.
- Reliance on a single coordinating center for critical operations.
Positive Signals
- Supports a critical public health research initiative.
- Utilizes a competitive procurement process.
- Long-term funding provides stability for research continuity.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically focusing on health-related research. NIH is a major funder in this area, with significant spending on large-scale epidemiological studies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses. Large research institutions like UNC often have established subcontracting opportunities, but direct awards to small businesses in this specific contract are not evident.
Oversight & Accountability
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is responsible for oversight. Task orders and delivery orders are common mechanisms for managing large research grants, allowing for phased funding and specific operational management.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration increases risk exposure.
- Potential for scope creep in research projects.
- Reliance on a single entity for core operations.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in award data.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, nc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $13.7 million to UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL. THE ATHEROSCLEROSIS RISK IN COMMUNITIES (ARIC) STUDY - COORDINATING CENTER - CORE STUDY OPERATIONS- TASK ORDER 01, TASK AREA A
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL.
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 $13.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-11-15. End: 2026-11-14.
What is the historical cost performance of the ARIC study coordinating center operations?
Historical cost performance data for the ARIC study's coordinating center operations is not provided in this data. A review of previous task orders and contract modifications would be necessary to assess cost trends, identify any significant deviations from budget, and understand the efficiency of past operations. This information is crucial for evaluating the reasonableness of the current award.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract and how will they be measured?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the ARIC study coordinating center operations. Typically, such contracts would include metrics related to data management accuracy, timeliness of reporting, participant recruitment and retention support, and adherence to research protocols. Effective oversight would require clearly defined and measurable KPIs to ensure the contractor meets the research objectives.
Are there any identified risks related to the specific research methodologies or data analysis planned under this task order?
The data does not detail specific research methodologies or data analysis plans, thus specific risks in these areas cannot be identified. However, general risks for large-scale epidemiological studies include potential biases in data collection, challenges in maintaining participant engagement over long periods, and the complexities of analyzing large, longitudinal datasets. The coordinating center's role is critical in mitigating these through robust operational support and quality control.
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
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: University of North Carolina System Office
Address: 104 AIRPORT DR STE 2200, CHAPEL HILL, NC, 27599
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public)
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,155,620
Exercised Options: $13,734,273
Current Obligation: $13,734,273
Actual Outlays: $10,484,522
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75N92022D00001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-11-15
Current End Date: 2026-11-14
Potential End Date: 2028-11-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-04
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