NIH Awards $18.5M for Vaccine Adjuvant Research to University of Montana
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,472,564 ($18.5M)
Contractor: University of Montana
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2019-09-06
End Date: 2025-09-29
Contract Duration: 2,215 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/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: MISSOULA, MISSOULA County, MONTANA, 59812
State: Montana Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $18.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA for work described as: TO IDENTIFY NOVEL ADJUVANT CANDIDATES THAT CAN BE USED TO AUGMENT THE EFFICACY OF HUMAN VACCINES. Key points: 1. Focuses on novel adjuvant candidates to enhance human vaccine efficacy. 2. University of Montana is the sole awardee, indicating specialized research capabilities. 3. The contract is a definitive contract with a cost-no-fee structure. 4. Research falls under Biotechnology R&D, a critical area for public health.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $18.5M over approximately 6 years for R&D is within a reasonable range for specialized biotechnology research. Benchmarking is difficult without specific comparable contracts for novel adjuvant development.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for selecting the best research proposal. The price discovery is based on the proposed research costs and the cost-no-fee structure.
Taxpayer Impact: Investment in vaccine adjuvant research aims to improve public health outcomes, potentially reducing future healthcare costs associated with infectious diseases.
Public Impact
Enhances vaccine effectiveness, potentially leading to better disease prevention. Supports cutting-edge biotechnology research and development. Could lead to the development of next-generation vaccines. Contributes to national biodefense and public health preparedness.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long-term research project with uncertain outcomes.
- Reliance on a single institution for critical research.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a significant public health need.
- Potential for breakthrough vaccine technology.
- Awarded through full and open competition.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in Biotechnology sector, specifically focusing on novel adjuvant candidates. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing medical countermeasures and public health initiatives, with significant government investment driven by national security and health priorities.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to a university, not a small business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting opportunities within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a key agency for biomedical research oversight. The definitive contract structure allows for flexibility in research scope, but requires diligent monitoring of progress and expenditures.
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 of research outcomes.
- Long contract duration (over 6 years).
- Potential for scope creep in R&D.
- Reliance on a single research institution.
Tags
research-and-development-in-biotechnolog, department-of-health-and-human-services, mt, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $18.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA. 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 UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA.
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 $18.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-09-06. End: 2025-09-29.
What is the projected impact of these novel adjuvants on the efficacy of existing and future vaccines?
The projected impact is to significantly enhance the immune response generated by vaccines, potentially allowing for lower doses, fewer administrations, or broader protection against evolving pathogens. This could lead to more effective vaccination campaigns and improved public health outcomes globally.
What are the primary risks associated with the development of novel vaccine adjuvants under this contract?
Key risks include the scientific uncertainty of identifying effective and safe adjuvants, potential delays in research timelines, and the possibility that developed candidates may not meet regulatory approval or achieve desired efficacy in clinical trials. There's also a risk of unforeseen side effects.
How will the effectiveness of the research be measured and ensured throughout the contract period?
Effectiveness will be measured through regular progress reports, milestone achievements, and peer-reviewed publications detailing the identification and validation of adjuvant candidates. The NIH will likely employ scientific review panels and require data demonstrating the adjuvants' ability to augment vaccine-induced immune responses in preclinical models.
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: 32 CAMPUS DR MAIN HALL, MISSOULA, MT, 59812
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,472,564
Exercised Options: $18,472,564
Current Obligation: $18,472,564
Actual Outlays: $12,443,737
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 10
Total Subaward Amount: $4,655,890
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-09-06
Current End Date: 2025-09-29
Potential End Date: 2026-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-21
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