HHS Awards $628M to Colorado State University for COVID-19 Vaccine R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,280,811 ($6.3M)
Contractor: Colorado State University
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2020-09-01
End Date: 2028-04-30
Contract Duration: 2,798 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 23
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: COVID-19. TO DEVELOP AND MANUFACTURE AN INACTIVATED VIRUS VACCINE USING BLOOD PATHOGEN REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY.
Place of Performance
Location: FORT COLLINS, LARIMER County, COLORADO, 80523
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $6.3 million to COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY for work described as: COVID-19. TO DEVELOP AND MANUFACTURE AN INACTIVATED VIRUS VACCINE USING BLOOD PATHOGEN REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY. Key points: 1. Significant investment in novel vaccine technology development. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting market exploration. 3. Risk associated with early-stage R&D and technology validation. 4. Sector focus is critical life sciences research and development.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is Cost No Fee, which is common for R&D but offers limited insight into pricing efficiency. Benchmarking is difficult due to the novel nature of the technology and the early stage of development.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple entities were considered. However, the Cost No Fee structure means price discovery is less direct, focusing more on cost reimbursement for research efforts.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting critical research into vaccine development, with potential long-term benefits if successful, but also the risk of research not yielding a viable product.
Public Impact
Supports development of a novel COVID-19 vaccine. Invests in advanced blood pathogen reduction technology. Potential to enhance future pandemic preparedness. Funding directed to a university research institution.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- R&D inherent risks
- Technology viability uncertainty
- Long development timeline
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical public health need
- Utilizes innovative technology
- Full and open competition
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation but carries higher risk compared to established product procurement.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to a university, not a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the Department of Health and Human Services. Oversight will likely focus on research progress, milestone achievement, and responsible use of funds.
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
- Technology feasibility risk
- Long-term research and development timeline
- Potential for research to not yield a viable vaccine
- Reliance on novel, unproven technology
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, co, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $6.3 million to COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY. COVID-19. TO DEVELOP AND MANUFACTURE AN INACTIVATED VIRUS VACCINE USING BLOOD PATHOGEN REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY.
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 $6.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-09-01. End: 2028-04-30.
What is the projected timeline for achieving key development milestones for the vaccine?
The contract end date is April 30, 2028, suggesting a multi-year development process. Specific milestone timelines would typically be detailed in the contract's statement of work, outlining phases for research, testing, and potential manufacturing scale-up.
How will the effectiveness of the blood pathogen reduction technology be validated for vaccine development?
Validation will likely involve rigorous laboratory testing, in vitro studies, and potentially animal model trials to assess the technology's ability to inactivate the virus without compromising vaccine efficacy. Peer-reviewed publications and independent verification may also be part of the validation process.
What is the potential return on investment for taxpayers if this vaccine technology proves successful?
The return on investment is primarily measured by public health benefits: preventing illness, reducing healthcare burdens, and enhancing national security against future pandemics. Direct financial returns are unlikely as it's a research grant, but the societal value of a successful vaccine is immense.
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 › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: HHS-NIH-NIAID-BAA2020-1
Offers Received: 23
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 601 S HOWES ST, FORT COLLINS, CO, 80521
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, Veterinary College
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,218,003
Exercised Options: $6,280,811
Current Obligation: $6,280,811
Actual Outlays: $5,903,256
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 22
Total Subaward Amount: $953,483
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-09-01
Current End Date: 2028-04-30
Potential End Date: 2028-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-06
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