NIH Awards $3.36M for Syphilis Specimen Collection Research to UNC Chapel Hill
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,361,829 ($3.4M)
Contractor: University of North Carolina AT Chapel Hill
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2022-09-15
End Date: 2026-11-30
Contract Duration: 1,537 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SYPHILIS SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Place of Performance
Location: CHAPEL HILL, ORANGE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27599
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.4 million to UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL for work described as: SYPHILIS SPECIMEN COLLECTION Key points: 1. The contract focuses on research and development in biotechnology, specifically related to syphilis specimen collection. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract value is $3.36 million over approximately 4.2 years. 4. The awardee is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a research institution.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
This is a cost-no-fee contract, which is common for research and development. The total award is $3.36 million, with a duration of over 1500 days. Without specific benchmarks for similar R&D specimen collection contracts, a precise value assessment is difficult.
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 allows the government to select the best value offer.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is the $3.36 million investment in research that could lead to advancements in public health related to syphilis.
Public Impact
Potential for improved diagnostic methods or understanding of syphilis transmission. Funding supports academic research, contributing to scientific knowledge. The research could have long-term public health benefits in combating syphilis.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Research and Development contracts can have uncertain outcomes.
- Cost-no-fee structure requires careful monitoring of expenditures.
- Specific performance metrics are not detailed in the provided data.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Awarded to a reputable research institution.
- Addresses a significant public health concern.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in Biotechnology sector. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement and public health initiatives. Benchmarks for similar R&D contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, and there is no indication that small businesses were specifically targeted or excluded. The primary awardee is a large university.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) program officials responsible for this research grant. Accountability would focus on the scientific progress and adherence to research protocols.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for research delays or unmet scientific objectives.
- Cost-no-fee contracts require diligent financial oversight.
- Specificity of research outcomes is inherently uncertain.
- Dependence on the expertise and continued performance of the awardee.
Tags
research-and-development-in-biotechnolog, department-of-health-and-human-services, nc, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.4 million to UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL. SYPHILIS SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL.
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 $3.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-15. End: 2026-11-30.
What are the specific scientific objectives and expected deliverables of this syphilis specimen collection research?
The provided data does not detail the specific scientific objectives or expected deliverables. Typically, R&D contracts of this nature aim to develop improved methods for collecting, preserving, or analyzing syphilis specimens, potentially leading to more accurate or efficient diagnostic tools and a better understanding of disease transmission dynamics.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract to ensure successful research outcomes?
Key performance indicators for this type of research contract would likely include milestones related to methodology development, data collection, analysis, and reporting of findings. Success would be measured by the scientific validity and potential impact of the research on syphilis detection and control strategies.
How will the effectiveness of the developed specimen collection methods be validated and compared to existing standards?
Validation would involve rigorous testing of the new methods against established protocols using diverse sample populations. Effectiveness would be assessed based on factors like sensitivity, specificity, ease of use, cost-efficiency, and patient comfort compared to current standards.
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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: University of North Carolina System Office
Address: 104 AIRPORT DR STE 2200, CHAPEL HILL, NC, 27599
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,279,477
Exercised Options: $3,361,829
Current Obligation: $3,361,829
Actual Outlays: $2,898,732
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $307,030
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-15
Current End Date: 2026-11-30
Potential End Date: 2026-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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