NIH awards $2.7M contract for radiation mitigator probiotics, with potential for future development

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,709,458 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Chromologic LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-03-16

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,206 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: DEVELOPMENT OF SECOND-GENERATION PROBIOTICS AS RADIATION MITIGATORS

Place of Performance

Location: MONROVIA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91016

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.7 million to CHROMOLOGIC LLC for work described as: DEVELOPMENT OF SECOND-GENERATION PROBIOTICS AS RADIATION MITIGATORS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on novel research and development for advanced medical countermeasures. 2. The contractor, Chromologic LLC, has a specific focus on probiotic development. 3. This contract represents a strategic investment in biodefense and radiation protection. 4. Performance period extends over several years, indicating a phased development approach. 5. The research area is highly specialized, requiring specific scientific expertise.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.7 million for a definitive contract over approximately 6 years appears reasonable for specialized R&D in a niche area like probiotic development for radiation mitigation. Benchmarking is difficult due to the highly specific nature of the research and the limited public data on comparable contracts for this exact application. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure suggests that costs will be monitored, but the final price is subject to actual expenses incurred.

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. The presence of 5 bidders suggests a competitive landscape for this specialized research area. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the research investment, potentially leading to more cost-effective development of critical radiation mitigation technologies.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. military and civilian populations potentially exposed to radiation, through the development of advanced medical countermeasures. The services delivered involve cutting-edge research and development in biotechnology and microbiology. The geographic impact is national, with potential applications in emergency preparedness and space exploration. Workforce implications include the potential for highly skilled jobs in scientific research and development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The long-term effectiveness and scalability of developed probiotics are yet to be determined.
Reliance on a single contractor for this specific R&D phase could pose a risk if unforeseen challenges arise.
The novelty of the technology means potential regulatory hurdles for future deployment.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The phased approach over several years allows for iterative development and risk mitigation.
The focus on a specific, high-impact area like radiation mitigation addresses a critical national security need.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for biodefense and medical countermeasures is a growing area, driven by national security concerns and advancements in biotechnology. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the highly specialized nature of developing second-generation probiotics as radiation mitigators, which is a niche within the broader life sciences R&D market.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The focus on highly specialized R&D may limit direct opportunities for many small businesses unless they possess niche expertise relevant to probiotic development or radiation mitigation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) program officials who will monitor the contractor's progress against the research objectives and milestones outlined in the cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. Accountability measures are tied to the successful completion of research phases and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed research progress reports are typically internal to the agency and contractor.

Related Government Programs

Biodefense Advanced Research Projects Agency (BARDA) initiatives
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) research grants
Department of Defense medical research programs
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) space health research

Risk Flags

Scientific Uncertainty
Long Development Timeline
Regulatory Approval Risk
Scalability Challenges

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.7 million to CHROMOLOGIC LLC. DEVELOPMENT OF SECOND-GENERATION PROBIOTICS AS RADIATION MITIGATORS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHROMOLOGIC LLC.

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 $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-16. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific scientific approach Chromologic LLC will take to develop these second-generation probiotics?

The contract details are limited in public scope, but the objective is the 'DEVELOPMENT OF SECOND-GENERATION PROBIOTICS AS RADIATION MITIGATORS.' This implies a research and development effort focused on identifying, engineering, and testing specific strains of probiotics that can confer enhanced resistance or recovery from radiation exposure. Second-generation probiotics typically involve genetically modified or specifically selected strains with enhanced functional properties beyond basic colonization. The research will likely involve laboratory studies, in vitro testing, and potentially animal models to assess efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of action. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for exploration of different scientific avenues within the defined research scope.

How does the $2.7 million award compare to typical R&D spending for similar niche biotechnology projects?

Benchmarking this specific contract is challenging due to the highly specialized nature of developing probiotics for radiation mitigation. Typical R&D spending for early-stage biotechnology projects can vary widely, from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the complexity, novelty, and phase of research. A $2.7 million award over approximately six years for a definitive contract suggests a significant, multi-phase research effort. While not directly comparable, other NIH grants or DoD contracts for advanced medical countermeasures or novel therapeutic development often fall within this range or higher, especially when involving specialized expertise and long-term development timelines.

What are the primary risks associated with developing novel probiotics for radiation mitigation?

The primary risks include scientific uncertainty, as the efficacy of probiotics in mitigating radiation damage is still an evolving field. There's a risk of failure in identifying or engineering strains with sufficient potency and safety. Regulatory hurdles are significant; any therapeutic agent, especially one for radiation exposure, will face stringent FDA approval processes. Manufacturing and scalability challenges could arise if promising candidates are identified, requiring specialized facilities and quality control. Finally, the long development timeline introduces risks related to changing scientific understanding, funding availability, and potential emergence of alternative mitigation strategies.

What is Chromologic LLC's track record in developing probiotics or related biotechnologies?

Information on Chromologic LLC's specific track record in developing probiotics for radiation mitigation is not readily available in the public domain. As a company focused on this niche, their expertise likely lies in microbial genetics, bioinformatics, and potentially drug discovery platforms. Further investigation into their publications, previous grants, or partnerships would be necessary to fully assess their capabilities. However, the award of this contract by NIH, following a full and open competition, suggests that the agency found their proposal and demonstrated capabilities sufficient for this advanced R&D effort.

What are the potential long-term implications if this research is successful?

Successful development of second-generation probiotics as radiation mitigators could have profound implications for public health and national security. For the military, it could provide a novel, potentially orally administered countermeasure for personnel exposed to battlefield radiation or during nuclear incidents. For civilian populations, it could enhance preparedness for radiological emergencies, including accidents at nuclear facilities or the use of radiological dispersal devices. It could also open avenues for therapeutic applications in cancer radiotherapy patients experiencing radiation side effects, and potentially for astronauts on long-duration space missions facing increased radiation exposure.

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: HHS-NIH-NIAID-BAA2020-1

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1225 S SHAMROCK AVE, MONROVIA, CA, 91016

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,709,458

Exercised Options: $2,709,458

Current Obligation: $2,709,458

Actual Outlays: $2,350,100

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline