HHS Awards $107.5M for Influenza Vaccine Innovation Research to Icahn School of Medicine

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $107,530,978 ($107.5M)

Contractor: Icahn School of Medicine AT Mount Sinai

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2019-09-10

End Date: 2027-02-28

Contract Duration: 2,728 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: THIS CONTRACT WILL SUPPORT COMPONENT A OF THE COLLABORATIVE INFLUENZA VACCINE INNOVATION CENTERS (CIVICS) PROGRAM TO DESIGN AND EVALUATE INNOVATIVE INFLUENZA VACCINE APPROACHES, BASED ON PRINCIPLES OF INFLUENZA IMMUNITY, THAT ACHIEVE DURABLE, ROBUST

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10029

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $107.5 million to ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI for work described as: THIS CONTRACT WILL SUPPORT COMPONENT A OF THE COLLABORATIVE INFLUENZA VACCINE INNOVATION CENTERS (CIVICS) PROGRAM TO DESIGN AND EVALUATE INNOVATIVE INFLUENZA VACCINE APPROACHES, BASED ON PRINCIPLES OF INFLUENZA IMMUNITY, THAT ACHIEVE DURABLE, ROBUST Key points: 1. The contract focuses on developing innovative influenza vaccine approaches for durable immunity. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The award is for research and development in life sciences, a critical area for public health. 4. Potential risks include the inherent uncertainties in scientific research and development timelines.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $107.5M over approximately 7.5 years appears reasonable for a large-scale R&D program. Benchmarking against similar large federal research grants for vaccine development 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 bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The investment aims to improve public health through advanced vaccine technology, potentially reducing future healthcare costs associated with influenza outbreaks.

Public Impact

Advancement in influenza vaccine technology could lead to more effective and longer-lasting protection against the flu. This research supports the government's commitment to public health preparedness and disease prevention. Successful outcomes may reduce the burden of influenza on individuals and the healthcare system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Research and Development timelines can be unpredictable.
Achieving 'durable, robust' immunity is a significant scientific challenge.

Positive Signals

Supports critical public health initiative (CIVICS program).
Utilizes a competitive procurement process.
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained research effort.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences. Federal spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement and addressing public health challenges like influenza.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or impacts related to small business participation in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved as subcontractors or partners.

Oversight & Accountability

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard federal oversight mechanisms for research grants and contracts would apply, focusing on scientific progress and financial accountability.

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

Scientific uncertainty inherent in R&D.
Potential for research delays or failure to meet objectives.
Long contract duration increases exposure to changing scientific landscapes.
Dependence on specific scientific principles for vaccine design.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $107.5 million to ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI. THIS CONTRACT WILL SUPPORT COMPONENT A OF THE COLLABORATIVE INFLUENZA VACCINE INNOVATION CENTERS (CIVICS) PROGRAM TO DESIGN AND EVALUATE INNOVATIVE INFLUENZA VACCINE APPROACHES, BASED ON PRINCIPLES OF INFLUENZA IMMUNITY, THAT ACHIEVE DURABLE, ROBUST

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI.

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 $107.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-10. End: 2027-02-28.

What are the specific metrics for evaluating 'durable, robust' influenza immunity?

The contract likely outlines specific scientific milestones and immunological assays to measure the durability and robustness of the immune response. These could include long-term antibody titers, T-cell responses, and challenge studies in animal models or humans, depending on the research phase. The evaluation criteria would be detailed in the contract's statement of work.

What is the risk of the chosen vaccine approaches not yielding the desired results within the contract period?

The primary risk is the inherent uncertainty in scientific research. Innovative approaches may face unforeseen technical hurdles or prove less effective than anticipated. The contract's 'Cost No Fee' structure means the government pays for incurred costs regardless of success, but the agency's investment may not yield the intended breakthrough. Mitigation strategies could involve phased research with go/no-go decision points.

How will the success of this program impact future federal spending on influenza preparedness?

Successful development of more durable and robust influenza vaccines could significantly reduce the frequency and cost of annual vaccination campaigns and the economic burden of seasonal flu. This could lead to a reallocation of federal funds towards other public health priorities or research into different diseases. Conversely, failure might necessitate continued investment in existing, less effective vaccine technologies.

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: HHSNIHNIAIDBAA2018

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: ONE GUSTAVE L LEVY PL, NEW YORK, NY, 10029

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: $151,383,472

Exercised Options: $107,530,978

Current Obligation: $107,530,978

Actual Outlays: $77,168,887

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 16

Total Subaward Amount: $12,918,475

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline