NIH awards $12.5M contract for CNS specimen repository services to University of Miami

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,511,989 ($12.5M)

Contractor: University of Miami

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2019-08-30

End Date: 2025-10-31

Contract Duration: 2,254 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO ESTABLISH COLLECTION SITE(S) (I.E., THE NIH BRAIN AND TISSUE REPOSITORY (NBTR) TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT WILL ACTIVELY ACQUIRE, RECEIVE, STORE, CURATE, PRESERVE, AND DISTRIBUTE CNS AND RELATED BIOLOGICAL SPECIMENS TO

Place of Performance

Location: MIAMI, MIAMI-DADE County, FLORIDA, 33136

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $12.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO ESTABLISH COLLECTION SITE(S) (I.E., THE NIH BRAIN AND TISSUE REPOSITORY (NBTR) TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT WILL ACTIVELY ACQUIRE, RECEIVE, STORE, CURATE, PRESERVE, AND DISTRIBUTE CNS AND RELATED BIOLOGICAL SPECIMENS TO Key points: 1. Contract focuses on acquiring, storing, and distributing biological specimens for research. 2. University of Miami selected for this critical research infrastructure support. 3. Long-term contract duration suggests a sustained need for these specialized services. 4. The contract type (Cost No Fee) indicates a focus on research objectives over profit. 5. This award falls under R&D in Biotechnology, a key area for NIH. 6. The National Institutes of Health is the primary agency overseeing this effort.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $12.5 million over its period of performance appears reasonable for establishing and maintaining a specialized biological specimen repository. Benchmarking against similar contracts for biobanking services is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services, specimen types, and storage requirements. However, the 'Cost No Fee' award type suggests that the primary consideration is the successful execution of research objectives rather than a fixed price for profit, which can sometimes lead to cost efficiencies for the government if managed well. Further analysis would require comparing the per-unit costs of specimen acquisition, processing, and storage against industry standards.

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 presence of 7 bidders suggests a competitive landscape for these specialized services. A competitive process is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives the best value. The specific details of the evaluation criteria and the number of proposals received would provide further insight into the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovation among potential contractors.

Public Impact

Researchers nationwide will benefit from access to curated CNS and related biological specimens. Services include acquisition, receipt, storage, curation, preservation, and distribution of specimens. The contract supports critical research into neurological disorders and brain function. The geographic impact is national, as specimens will be distributed to researchers across the US. This contract supports a specialized workforce in biobanking, curation, and research support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns given the 'Cost No Fee' structure if not closely monitored.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical research resource could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring the long-term viability and integrity of stored specimens requires robust quality control.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
The University of Miami has a strong track record in research and biobanking.
The contract duration suggests a stable and reliable provision of essential services.
Focus on 'Cost No Fee' aligns with research mission rather than profit maximization.

Sector Analysis

This contract operates within the Biotechnology Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on the infrastructure required for neuroscience research. The market for biobanking and specimen management services is growing, driven by advancements in genomics, personalized medicine, and the increasing volume of biological data generated by research. The NIH's investment in the NBTR positions it as a key player in providing essential resources for the scientific community, contributing to the broader ecosystem of biomedical research funding and infrastructure development.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded through full and open competition and does not appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions. However, the prime contractor, the University of Miami, may engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities related to specialized services or supplies. The scale of this contract suggests that the primary focus is on large-scale research infrastructure, but the potential for subcontracting should be explored to understand its impact on the small business ecosystem within the biotechnology and research support sectors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the relevant program offices responsible for the NBTR. Accountability measures would be embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and potential for award modifications or termination based on performance. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS-NG, though detailed operational reports may be internal to the agency. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Grants
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Programs
Biomedical Research Infrastructure
National Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Initiative
Human Brain Project

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Cost No Fee structure necessitates careful cost monitoring.
Dependence on single contractor for critical resource.
Ensuring long-term specimen viability and integrity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $12.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI. THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO ESTABLISH COLLECTION SITE(S) (I.E., THE NIH BRAIN AND TISSUE REPOSITORY (NBTR) TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT WILL ACTIVELY ACQUIRE, RECEIVE, STORE, CURATE, PRESERVE, AND DISTRIBUTE CNS AND RELATED BIOLOGICAL SPECIMENS TO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.

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 $12.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-08-30. End: 2025-10-31.

What is the University of Miami's track record with similar NIH contracts or large-scale biobanking initiatives?

The University of Miami has a significant history of receiving federal funding, particularly from the NIH, for a wide range of research activities. While specific details on their past performance on contracts identical to this one require deeper investigation into contract databases and agency reports, their status as a major research institution suggests experience in managing complex research projects and associated infrastructure. They are known to be involved in various research consortia and have established core facilities that likely include biobanking capabilities. A thorough review would involve examining their past performance evaluations on federal contracts, any documented issues or commendations, and the scale and scope of previous biobanking or repository management efforts they have undertaken. This would provide a clearer picture of their capacity and reliability for the NBTR contract.

How does the $12.5 million total contract value compare to similar biobanking and specimen repository contracts awarded by federal agencies?

The $12.5 million total contract value for the NIH Brain and Tissue Repository (NBTR) over its estimated period of performance (approximately 6 years, from 2019 to 2025) translates to an average annual value of roughly $2 million. This figure is within a reasonable range for large-scale, specialized biobanking operations that involve acquisition, long-term storage, curation, and distribution of sensitive biological specimens. Comparable contracts can vary significantly based on the type and volume of specimens, the complexity of curation and preservation, and the required distribution network. For instance, contracts supporting large disease-specific biobanks or national tissue repositories might range from several hundred thousand to several million dollars annually. Without more granular data on the specific services and specimen volumes for this NIH contract, a precise benchmark is difficult, but the overall value appears aligned with the substantial undertaking of managing a national-level research repository.

What are the primary risks associated with the long-term storage and distribution of sensitive biological specimens under this contract?

The primary risks associated with the long-term storage and distribution of sensitive biological specimens under this contract are multifaceted. Data integrity and specimen viability are paramount; risks include potential degradation due to equipment failure (e.g., freezers, climate control systems), power outages, or improper handling, which could compromise research validity. Security risks involve unauthorized access to sensitive biological materials and associated data, necessitating robust physical and cybersecurity measures. Chain of custody is critical; errors in tracking or distribution could lead to misidentification or loss of specimens, impacting research reproducibility. Furthermore, compliance risks related to evolving regulations for handling human biological materials, privacy concerns (e.g., HIPAA), and ethical considerations are ongoing challenges. The 'Cost No Fee' contract type, while research-focused, also introduces a risk of cost escalation if unforeseen issues require significant additional resources without a clear mechanism for adjustment.

How effective is the 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type in ensuring value for money for taxpayer-funded research infrastructure like the NBTR?

The 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type is designed to prioritize the achievement of research objectives over profit for the contractor, which can be effective for taxpayer value in specific contexts like the NBTR. In a CNF arrangement, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs incurred in performing the contract, but receives no additional fee or profit. This structure incentivizes the contractor to focus on the scientific and operational success of the project rather than maximizing financial gain. For taxpayer value, this can be beneficial if the contractor is efficient and manages costs diligently, as the government avoids paying a profit margin. However, it can also introduce risks. Contractors might be less motivated to innovate cost-saving measures if they are simply reimbursed for costs. Furthermore, without a profit incentive, there's a potential risk of complacency or less rigorous oversight from the contractor's side if not balanced by strong government oversight. The effectiveness hinges on the government's ability to closely monitor costs, ensure efficient operations, and hold the contractor accountable for meeting performance standards.

What historical spending patterns exist for NIH's biobanking and specimen repository support services?

Historical spending patterns for NIH's biobanking and specimen repository support services reveal a consistent and significant investment in research infrastructure. Over the past decade, NIH has allocated substantial funds towards establishing and maintaining various repositories, including those for tissues, cell lines, genetic material, and, as in this case, neurological specimens. Spending has generally increased in line with the growth of large-scale research initiatives like the All of Us Research Program and various neuroscience projects (e.g., BRAIN Initiative). Contracts in this area often span multiple years and can range from moderate sums for specific sample sets to tens of millions of dollars for comprehensive national biobanks. The trend indicates a strategic prioritization of centralized, high-quality specimen resources to accelerate biomedical discovery, suggesting that funding for such services is likely to remain robust, contingent on research priorities and budgetary allocations.

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

Solicitation ID: RFP 75N9501900006

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1600 NW 10 AVE, MIAMI, FL, 33136

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private)

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,542,515

Exercised Options: $12,511,989

Current Obligation: $12,511,989

Actual Outlays: $8,026,726

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline