NIH awards $524K contract to Charles River Laboratories for vaccine candidate preparation and characterization

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,243,310 ($5.2M)

Contractor: Charles River Laboratories, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-09-30

End Date: 2027-09-29

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FIVE VACCINE CANDIDATES

Place of Performance

Location: WILMINGTON, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01887

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $5.2 million to CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES, INC. for work described as: PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FIVE VACCINE CANDIDATES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical early-stage vaccine development, supporting public health initiatives. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The contract duration of approximately two years aligns with typical research and development timelines. 5. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a key player in biomedical research funding. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 indicates a focus on R&D in life sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $524,331 for a two-year period for vaccine candidate preparation and characterization appears reasonable for specialized R&D services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for early-stage vaccine development would provide a more precise assessment, but the scope suggests a focused effort. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer. The competitive nature suggests that Charles River Laboratories was selected based on merit and pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and ensures that the government receives the best possible value for its investment in critical research.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the broader public health community, through the advancement of potential vaccine candidates. The services delivered include the preparation and characterization of five vaccine candidates, a crucial step in the drug development pipeline. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting domestic research capabilities. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, researchers, and laboratory technicians at Charles River Laboratories.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in research and development projects if not managed tightly.
Reliance on a single contractor for a specific phase of vaccine development could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive selection process.
Contract duration is aligned with typical R&D project timelines.
Charles River Laboratories is a known entity in contract research.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Biotechnology and Life Sciences sector, a rapidly growing area driven by advancements in medical research and public health needs. The market for contract research organizations (CROs) supporting pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies is substantial. NIH's spending in this area is critical for fostering innovation and addressing unmet medical needs, with comparable spending often seen across various research institutions and government agencies for early-stage drug discovery and development.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it is unlikely to have been exclusively set aside for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Accountability measures are embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Vaccine Development Programs
Biomedical Research Grants
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Funding
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Public Health Initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for scientific uncertainty in R&D outcomes.
Contract duration may be insufficient for complex research challenges.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $5.2 million to CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES, INC.. PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FIVE VACCINE CANDIDATES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES, INC..

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 $5.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-30. End: 2027-09-29.

What is the track record of Charles River Laboratories in performing similar vaccine development research contracts for federal agencies?

Charles River Laboratories is a well-established contract research organization (CRO) with extensive experience in preclinical and clinical services, including vaccine development. They have a history of working with various government agencies, including the NIH, on a wide range of research projects. Their expertise spans drug discovery, development, and manufacturing support. While specific details on past vaccine candidate preparation contracts with NIH are not provided here, their overall profile suggests a strong capability to execute such work. A deeper dive into their past performance evaluations and specific project outcomes would offer more granular insights into their track record for this particular service area.

How does the awarded amount of $524,331 compare to the typical cost for preparing and characterizing five vaccine candidates?

The awarded amount of $524,331 for a two-year contract to prepare and characterize five vaccine candidates appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized research and development services. The cost of such work can vary significantly based on the complexity of the vaccine platforms, the specific characterization techniques required, and the level of preclinical testing involved. Without detailed specifications of the work scope, it's challenging to provide a precise benchmark. However, considering the expertise and resources required for vaccine development, this figure suggests a focused effort rather than a large-scale clinical trial. Comparable contracts for early-stage R&D in this field often fall within similar dollar ranges, especially when dealing with novel or complex biological entities.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The primary risks associated with this contract are typical of research and development projects: scientific uncertainty (candidates may not prove viable), potential for delays due to unforeseen technical challenges, and the possibility of scope creep if research objectives evolve. Mitigation strategies include the firm fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes cost control. The two-year duration provides a defined timeframe for achieving specific milestones. The NIH contracting officers will provide oversight, monitoring progress and ensuring adherence to the statement of work. Clear communication channels and regular progress reviews are essential for managing risks and ensuring the project stays on track.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach in ensuring value for money for this specific vaccine research contract?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally considered effective in ensuring value for money for government contracts, including those in specialized R&D. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, it fosters a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. For this vaccine research contract, it means that multiple qualified laboratories likely competed, allowing NIH to select the offer that presented the best combination of technical merit, experience, and cost. This process helps prevent sole-source awards that might be less cost-effective and ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently to procure high-quality research services.

What is the historical spending pattern of NIH on vaccine candidate preparation and characterization, and how does this award fit within that pattern?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a major funder of vaccine research, with significant historical spending across various institutes and centers, including the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Their spending on vaccine candidate preparation and characterization is a critical component of the early-stage drug development pipeline. This $524,331 award represents a specific, targeted investment in advancing a small number of vaccine candidates. While NIH's overall annual spending on vaccine R&D runs into billions, individual awards for early-stage work like this are common and necessary to explore diverse scientific avenues. This contract fits within the pattern of NIH strategically funding promising research at the preclinical stage.

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

Address: 251 BALLARDVALE ST, WILMINGTON, MA, 01887

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,243,310

Exercised Options: $5,243,310

Current Obligation: $5,243,310

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N93021D00018

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline