NIH awards $2.1M for POCTRN Support, a 3-year contract for coordination center services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,130,856 ($2.1M)

Contractor: THE General Hospital Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-09-07

End Date: 2026-09-06

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: POCTRN SUPPORT - COORDINATION CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02114

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.1 million to THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION for work described as: POCTRN SUPPORT - COORDINATION CENTER Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a 3-year coordination center support role. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which transfers risk to the contractor. 4. The award is a Delivery Order under a larger contract vehicle. 5. The contractor, The General Hospital Corporation, is likely an established entity in the healthcare sector. 6. The NAICS code 541614 indicates consulting services related to process, distribution, and logistics.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.1 million over three years for a coordination center is within a reasonable range for specialized support services in the healthcare research sector. Benchmarking against similar contracts for coordination and administrative support for large research networks would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the duration and scope, the pricing appears competitive, especially under full and open competition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which should lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through a robust bidding process and encourages a wider pool of contractors to offer their services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely researchers and institutions participating in the POCTRN (Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise - Pediatric Centers of Research Translation Network) initiative. The contract will support the operational coordination and administrative functions of the POCTRN coordination center. Services delivered will facilitate the smooth functioning of a critical public health research network. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting a network of research centers across the United States. Workforce implications may include administrative, project management, and logistical support roles within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess contractor performance.
The duration of the contract (1095 days) is substantial, requiring ongoing monitoring of performance and value.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type aligns incentives for cost control with the contractor.
Awarded under full and open competition suggests a competitive process that should yield good value.
The contractor, The General Hospital Corporation, is likely experienced in managing healthcare-related projects.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically consulting services. The market for supporting large-scale research networks and coordination centers is specialized, often involving academic institutions or dedicated research support organizations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in contracts supporting other NIH-funded networks or similar public health initiatives, focusing on administrative and logistical support.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, there is no explicit requirement for subcontracting with small businesses unless it was part of the contractor's proposal strategy. Further analysis would be needed to determine if the prime contractor has a small business subcontracting plan.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Performance monitoring, invoice review, and adherence to contract terms are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Grants
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Programs
Biomedical Research Networks
Clinical Trial Support Services

Risk Flags

Performance Risk
Contract Management Risk
Scope Creep Risk (if not well-defined)
Dependency on Contractor Expertise

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.1 million to THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION. POCTRN SUPPORT - COORDINATION CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE GENERAL HOSPITAL 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 $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-07. End: 2026-09-06.

What is the track record of The General Hospital Corporation in managing federal contracts, particularly those involving research coordination?

A thorough review of The General Hospital Corporation's federal contract history would be necessary to assess its track record. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any contract disputes or terminations, and the types and values of previous awards. Specifically, identifying contracts related to research network coordination, administrative support for public health initiatives, or similar complex projects would provide the most relevant context. Without access to a comprehensive federal procurement database or past performance information, it is difficult to definitively assess their experience in managing similar federal contracts. However, as a 'General Hospital Corporation,' it is plausible they have experience with government funding and administrative requirements.

How does the $2.1 million contract value compare to similar coordination center support contracts for research networks?

To benchmark the $2.1 million contract value, one would need to identify comparable contracts awarded by NIH or other federal agencies for the coordination and administrative support of large research networks. Key comparison points would include the duration of the contract (3 years), the scope of services (coordination center functions), and the specific research area (pediatric countermeasures). Contracts supporting similar networks, such as other NIH-funded centers or programs like the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA), could serve as benchmarks. The value appears reasonable for a 3-year term, but a detailed comparison with contracts of similar scope and complexity would provide a more definitive assessment of value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Primary risks for this contract include potential performance issues by the contractor in coordinating network activities, delays in service delivery, or cost overruns if the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure is not managed effectively by the contractor. There's also a risk related to the dynamic nature of public health research, where priorities or network needs might shift. Mitigation strategies are inherent in the FFP structure, which places the cost risk on the contractor. Furthermore, the government's oversight through the contracting officer and program officials, along with regular performance reviews and reporting requirements, helps mitigate performance and delivery risks. The full and open competition process also mitigates the risk of selecting a non-capable contractor.

How effective is the POCTRN network likely to be with this coordination support?

The effectiveness of the POCTRN network is significantly influenced by the quality of its coordination center support. This contract aims to ensure efficient administrative operations, communication, and logistical management, which are crucial for the network's success. A well-coordinated network can facilitate collaboration among researchers, streamline data sharing, accelerate research translation, and ensure timely responses to public health emergencies. The effectiveness will depend on the contractor's ability to manage these functions, the clarity of NIH's objectives, and the engagement of the participating research centers. Positive signals like FFP and full competition suggest an intent to ensure effective and efficient operations.

What has been the historical spending by NIH on similar coordination and support services for research networks?

Historical spending by NIH on coordination and support services for research networks is substantial and varies widely depending on the network's size, scope, and duration. NIH funds numerous research networks across various institutes, each requiring varying levels of administrative, logistical, and coordination support. Spending can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars over the life of a network. Analyzing past awards for programs like the CTSA, PedsNet, or other large-scale collaborative research initiatives would reveal trends in spending for similar support functions. This specific $2.1 million award for POCTRN appears to be a moderate investment for a 3-year period, consistent with supporting a focused network.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 75N92023R0224

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mass General Brigham Incorporated

Address: 55 FRUIT ST, BOSTON, MA, 02114

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: $2,828,860

Exercised Options: $2,130,856

Current Obligation: $2,130,856

Actual Outlays: $1,665,520

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N92022D00014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline