NIH awards $4.14M contract to Albert Einstein College of Medicine for Hispanic Community Health Study

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,140,211 ($4.1M)

Contractor: Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-11-30

End Date: 2026-11-29

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: HISPANIC COMMUNITY HEALTH STUDY - STUDY OF LATINOS (HCHS-SOL) BRONX FIELD CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: BRONX, BRONX County, NEW YORK, 10461

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $4.1 million to ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE for work described as: HISPANIC COMMUNITY HEALTH STUDY - STUDY OF LATINOS (HCHS-SOL) BRONX FIELD CENTER Key points: 1. Contract focuses on vital research into the health of the Hispanic community. 2. Value-for-money assessment pending detailed cost analysis and comparison to similar studies. 3. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 4. Performance period of two years allows for focused research execution. 5. Research and Development sector, specifically life sciences, is a key area for federal investment. 6. Geographic focus on New York (Bronx) highlights localized health research efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.14 million for a two-year research study appears moderate for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) project. A definitive value-for-money assessment requires benchmarking against similar longitudinal health studies, particularly those focusing on specific demographic groups. Without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to prior NIH-funded studies of comparable scope and duration, it is difficult to definitively assess pricing efficiency. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type suggests that the government will reimburse allowable costs up to the contract ceiling, which is standard for research but necessitates careful monitoring of expenditures.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This method is generally preferred as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors and fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests that multiple entities likely vied for this award, providing the agency with a range of options.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing the best value by encouraging a wider range of proposals and potentially driving down costs through competitive pressure.

Public Impact

The Hispanic community, particularly in the Bronx, will benefit from research aimed at understanding their unique health challenges. The study will deliver critical data and insights into the health status and risk factors within the Hispanic population. Geographic impact is concentrated in New York, specifically the Bronx, allowing for in-depth study of a defined population. The contract supports research personnel and potentially clinical staff at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, contributing to the local research workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes it difficult to assess cost-effectiveness.
Potential for scope creep in long-term research projects if not managed tightly.
Reliance on a single field center may limit broader generalizability if not carefully controlled.

Positive Signals

Focus on a specific, often underserved, demographic group addresses critical public health needs.
Award to a reputable institution like Albert Einstein College of Medicine suggests strong research capabilities.
Full and open competition mechanism promotes fairness and potentially better value.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences. The market for health research is substantial, with significant federal investment driven by agencies like the NIH. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale epidemiological studies funded by NIH or similar health research bodies, considering factors like study duration, participant numbers, and the complexity of the research questions. This contract represents a targeted investment in understanding the health landscape of a specific demographic.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The primary contractor, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, is an academic institution, and its focus will likely be on direct research execution rather than extensive subcontracting to small businesses for this project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the awarding agency. As a research grant-type award (COST NO FEE), oversight will likely focus on adherence to research protocols, ethical conduct, financial accountability for reimbursed costs, and timely progress reporting. The NIH has established internal review boards and program officers responsible for monitoring research performance. Transparency is generally maintained through public dissemination of research findings, although specific contract details beyond basic award information may be limited.

Related Government Programs

Hispanic Community Health Study - Study of Latinos (HCHS-SOL)
National Institutes of Health Research Grants
Epidemiological Studies
Longitudinal Health Studies
Health Disparities Research

Risk Flags

Potential for participant attrition in longitudinal study.
Ensuring data integrity and scientific rigor over study duration.
Effective budget management under a cost-reimbursement contract type.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $4.1 million to ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. HISPANIC COMMUNITY HEALTH STUDY - STUDY OF LATINOS (HCHS-SOL) BRONX FIELD CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE.

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 $4.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-30. End: 2026-11-29.

What is the historical spending pattern for the Hispanic Community Health Study - Study of Latinos (HCHS-SOL) program?

The provided data focuses on a single delivery order for the Bronx Field Center of the HCHS-SOL study. To understand the historical spending pattern for the entire HCHS-SOL program, one would need to examine cumulative funding across all its field centers and study phases over its lifespan. This would involve querying federal procurement databases for all contracts and grants associated with HCHS-SOL, identifying the total obligated amounts, and analyzing trends in annual spending. Without this broader dataset, we can only infer that this $4.14 million award represents a portion of the program's overall financial commitment. Previous awards for the HCHS-SOL program have supported various aspects of data collection and analysis across different field sites, indicating a sustained federal investment in this research initiative.

How does the cost per participant for this study compare to similar epidemiological research?

Determining the cost per participant requires knowing the total number of participants enrolled in the HCHS-SOL Bronx Field Center study over the contract period. The contract value is $4.14 million, and the duration is 729 days (approximately 2 years). If, for example, the study aims to enroll 1,000 participants over two years, the cost per participant would be approximately $4,140. Benchmarking this figure against similar large-scale, longitudinal epidemiological studies, especially those focusing on minority health or chronic disease, is crucial. Studies with extensive follow-up periods, complex biospecimen collection, or advanced imaging often have higher per-participant costs. A comprehensive comparison would involve analyzing publicly available data from comparable NIH-funded studies to ascertain if this rate is within the expected range for the scope and methodology employed.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will success be measured?

While specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided contract abstract, for a research and development contract like this, success is typically measured by adherence to the approved research protocol, timely data collection and submission, scientific rigor, and the eventual publication or dissemination of findings. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) program officers overseeing the grant would monitor progress through regular reports and potentially site visits. Key metrics might include the number of participants recruited and retained, the quality and completeness of data collected, adherence to ethical guidelines, and the successful completion of study milestones within the allocated timeframe and budget. Ultimately, the scientific merit and impact of the research outcomes will be a primary measure of success.

What is the track record of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in managing large federal research grants?

Albert Einstein College of Medicine has a well-established track record as a leading academic medical center with extensive experience in conducting biomedical and health services research. As a recipient of numerous grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies, they have demonstrated capability in managing complex research projects, including large-scale epidemiological studies. Their history likely includes successful completion of projects with budgets comparable to or exceeding this $4.14 million award. Evaluating their specific performance on prior NIH grants, particularly those involving community-based research or studies on specific demographic populations, would provide further insight into their management capabilities, scientific output, and adherence to funding requirements.

Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor or the nature of the research?

Potential risks associated with this contract are generally related to the inherent challenges of longitudinal health research. These can include difficulties in participant recruitment and retention over the two-year study period, potential for participant attrition due to relocation or loss of interest, and ensuring data accuracy and integrity throughout the study. For the contractor, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, risks might involve managing the research budget effectively under a 'COST NO FEE' structure, ensuring compliance with all ethical and regulatory requirements for human subjects research, and maintaining the scientific quality of the study amidst potential unforeseen circumstances. The NIH's oversight mechanisms are designed to mitigate these risks through regular monitoring and support.

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

Solicitation ID: 75N92023R0192

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1300 MORRIS PARK AVE, BRONX, NY, 10461

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,690,299

Exercised Options: $4,140,211

Current Obligation: $4,140,211

Actual Outlays: $1,473,853

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N92025D00007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline