NIH awards $11M for tuberculosis vaccine adjuvant research to University of Sydney

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,964,476 ($11.0M)

Contractor: University of Sydney

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-09-30

End Date: 2027-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ADVANCING VACCINE ADJUVANT RESEARCH FOR TUBERCULOSIS

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $11.0 million to UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY for work described as: ADVANCING VACCINE ADJUVANT RESEARCH FOR TUBERCULOSIS Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process. 2. The contract duration of five years allows for sustained research and development. 3. Research area aligns with critical public health needs in combating tuberculosis. 4. The awardee, University of Sydney, is a reputable research institution. 5. Funding mechanism is Cost No Fee, indicating a focus on research progress over profit. 6. The contract is a Definitive Contract, typically used for complex projects with defined scopes.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $10.96 million over five years for advanced vaccine adjuvant research appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in life sciences requires detailed analysis of specific research objectives and deliverables. However, the Cost No Fee (CNF) contract type suggests that the government is primarily reimbursing the contractor for allowable costs incurred in performing the research, rather than paying a fixed fee or profit margin, which can be advantageous for taxpayer value in R&D settings.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit proposals. The presence of five proposals suggests a competitive environment, which generally leads to better pricing and innovation. The specific number of bidders (five) provides a reasonable level of competition for a specialized research area.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and encourages high-quality research proposals.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are public health organizations and individuals at risk of tuberculosis, through the development of improved vaccines. The research aims to advance the understanding and development of vaccine adjuvants, critical components for enhancing vaccine efficacy. The geographic impact is global, as tuberculosis is a worldwide health concern, though the direct research is conducted by an Australian institution. Workforce implications include support for researchers, technicians, and administrative staff at the University of Sydney.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for research delays if unforeseen scientific challenges arise.
Reliance on a single institution for a critical research area could pose a risk if institutional capacity is compromised.

Positive Signals

Award to a well-regarded international research institution.
Clear research objective focused on a significant public health issue.
Long-term funding commitment supports sustained research efforts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences. The market for vaccine adjuvant research is specialized, driven by public health needs and pharmaceutical innovation. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within NIH's broader portfolio of biomedical research grants and contracts, which collectively represent billions of dollars annually dedicated to advancing medical science and public health.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As a research grant/contract awarded to a university, the primary focus is on the research capabilities of the institution itself, rather than on engaging a broad network of small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. NIH program officers and contracting officials are responsible for monitoring research progress, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and reviewing financial expenditures. Transparency is maintained through public databases like USASpending.gov, and the Inspector General's office of HHS provides an additional layer of accountability for federal funds.

Related Government Programs

National Institutes of Health Research Grants
Tuberculosis Prevention Programs
Vaccine Development Initiatives
Biomedical Research Contracts

Risk Flags

Scientific uncertainty inherent in R&D
Potential for cost overruns (mitigated by CNF type)
Reliance on institutional capacity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $11.0 million to UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY. ADVANCING VACCINE ADJUVANT RESEARCH FOR TUBERCULOSIS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY.

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 $11.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2027-09-29.

What is the track record of the University of Sydney in receiving and managing federal research grants, particularly from NIH?

The University of Sydney has a strong track record in research and has received significant funding from various federal agencies, including NIH, for numerous projects. While specific details on past NIH funding for tuberculosis research would require a deeper dive into NIH's grant databases, the university's status as a leading research institution suggests a history of successful grant management. NIH typically monitors awardees through regular progress reports, financial statements, and site visits, ensuring accountability and adherence to research protocols and ethical standards. Past performance is a key factor in the competitive award process, indicating that the University of Sydney likely demonstrated a strong capability to manage such a grant effectively.

How does the $10.96 million funding compare to other NIH-funded tuberculosis vaccine research projects?

The $10.96 million award over five years for advancing vaccine adjuvant research for tuberculosis is a substantial investment, but its relative size needs to be contextualized within the broader landscape of NIH funding. NIH supports a wide array of research projects, from early-stage basic science to late-stage clinical trials. Funding levels can vary significantly based on the research phase, scope, and complexity. For instance, early-stage basic research grants might range from a few hundred thousand dollars annually, while large multi-year clinical trials or complex development programs can easily exceed tens of millions. This specific award appears to be for a focused area of R&D, suggesting it's a significant but not exceptionally large award within NIH's extensive portfolio for infectious diseases.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific research and development contract?

The primary risks associated with this R&D contract are inherent to scientific research. These include the possibility of encountering unforeseen scientific challenges that could impede progress or lead to project delays. There's also the risk that the research may not yield the desired outcomes, such as the development of a highly effective adjuvant, despite significant investment. Furthermore, reliance on a single institution, the University of Sydney, for this critical research introduces institutional risks, such as potential disruptions due to changes in personnel, funding priorities, or unforeseen events impacting the university's capacity. The Cost No Fee contract type, while beneficial for value, means the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns if not managed carefully.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the development of new tuberculosis vaccines?

This contract is expected to significantly impact the development of new tuberculosis vaccines by focusing on a critical component: adjuvants. Adjuvants are substances added to vaccines to enhance the immune response, making the vaccine more effective. By advancing research in this area, the project aims to identify or develop novel adjuvants that can improve the efficacy, durability, and breadth of protection offered by existing or new TB vaccines. Successful outcomes could lead to vaccines that are more potent, require fewer doses, or are effective against a wider range of TB strains, ultimately contributing to global efforts to control and eradicate tuberculosis.

How has NIH spending on tuberculosis research evolved over the past five years?

NIH spending on tuberculosis research has been substantial and relatively consistent over the past five years, reflecting the ongoing global health threat posed by the disease. While precise year-over-year figures fluctuate based on specific initiatives and research priorities, NIH consistently allocates significant resources towards understanding TB pathogenesis, developing new diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines. This includes funding for basic science, translational research, and clinical trials. The continued investment underscores NIH's commitment to addressing TB, a disease that remains a leading cause of death worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

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: BAA-DAIT-75N93021R00008

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: LEVEL 3, ADMINISTRATION BUILDING F23, THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Foreign Owned, Higher Education, International Organization, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,964,476

Exercised Options: $10,964,476

Current Obligation: $10,964,476

Actual Outlays: $6,889,292

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline