NIH Awards $11M for Vaccine Adjuvant Research to Children's Hospital Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,978,172 ($11.0M)
Contractor: Children's Hospital Corporation, the
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2019-09-30
End Date: 2025-12-29
Contract Duration: 2,282 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 12
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TO IDENTIFY NOVEL ADJUVANT CANDIDATES THAT CAN BE USED TO AUGMENT THE EFFICACY OF HUMAN VACCINES.
Place of Performance
Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02115
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $11.0 million to CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CORPORATION, THE for work described as: TO IDENTIFY NOVEL ADJUVANT CANDIDATES THAT CAN BE USED TO AUGMENT THE EFFICACY OF HUMAN VACCINES. Key points: 1. Focus on novel adjuvant candidates to enhance vaccine efficacy. 2. Significant investment in biotechnology R&D, specifically in vaccine augmentation. 3. Potential for broad public health impact through improved vaccine performance. 4. Competition method is 'Full and Open', suggesting a robust selection process.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $10.98M over approximately 6 years appears reasonable for advanced R&D in biotechnology. Benchmarking against similar NIH grants for novel vaccine component research would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Investment in vaccine research aims to improve public health, potentially leading to long-term cost savings through disease prevention and reduced healthcare burdens.
Public Impact
Development of more effective vaccines could lead to better disease prevention. Research into adjuvants may unlock new possibilities for challenging diseases. Potential for breakthroughs in pediatric and adult immunization strategies. Advances could reduce the burden of infectious diseases on society. Investment supports the scientific community and fosters innovation in biotechnology.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long-term nature of R&D projects carries inherent uncertainty.
- Success is dependent on scientific discovery and technological advancement.
- Potential for intellectual property disputes or licensing challenges.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical public health need for improved vaccines.
- Utilizes a competitive procurement process.
- Significant funding allocated to a promising research area.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in Biotechnology, a sector critical for public health advancements. Spending in this area is driven by innovation and the need for new medical solutions, with significant government investment typical for early-stage research.
Small Business Impact
While the prime contractor is a large institution, the nature of R&D contracts often involves subcontracting opportunities for specialized small businesses in areas like assay development, data analysis, or specific reagent supply.
Oversight & Accountability
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is responsible for overseeing this grant. Standard NIH grant management procedures, including progress reports and financial reviews, would apply to ensure accountability and proper use of funds.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Scientific uncertainty inherent in R&D.
- Long project duration increases risk of scope creep or changing priorities.
- Dependence on successful scientific breakthroughs.
- Potential for findings to be non-translatable to human vaccines.
- Competition may not have captured all innovative approaches.
Tags
research-and-development-in-biotechnolog, department-of-health-and-human-services, ma, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $11.0 million to CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CORPORATION, THE. TO IDENTIFY NOVEL ADJUVANT CANDIDATES THAT CAN BE USED TO AUGMENT THE EFFICACY OF HUMAN VACCINES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CORPORATION, THE.
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 $11.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-09-30. End: 2025-12-29.
What is the projected timeline for identifying promising adjuvant candidates?
The contract duration is approximately 6 years, ending in December 2025. This timeframe suggests a phased approach to research, likely involving initial screening, preclinical testing, and potentially early-stage validation of novel adjuvant candidates. Specific milestones for candidate identification would be detailed within the grant's statement of work.
What are the key performance indicators for success in this research?
Success metrics would likely focus on the identification and characterization of novel adjuvant candidates that demonstrate a statistically significant enhancement of vaccine immunogenicity or efficacy in relevant preclinical models. This could include measures of antibody titers, cellular immune responses, and protection against challenge.
How will the efficacy of identified adjuvants be validated?
Validation will likely involve rigorous preclinical testing in animal models, comparing vaccine efficacy with and without the novel adjuvants. Further validation might include assessing safety profiles and exploring mechanisms of action. Human clinical trials would be a subsequent, separate phase if promising candidates emerge.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)
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: NIAIDDAITNIHAI201700100
Offers Received: 12
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 300 LONGWOOD AVE, BOSTON, MA, 02115
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: $10,978,172
Exercised Options: $10,978,172
Current Obligation: $10,978,172
Actual Outlays: $8,276,751
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-09-30
Current End Date: 2025-12-29
Potential End Date: 2025-12-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-25
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