NIH awards $358K contract for mouse behavioral testing and research analysis to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $358,643 ($358.6K)

Contractor: University of North Carolina AT Chapel Hill

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-06-01

End Date: 2025-06-03

Contract Duration: 367 days

Daily Burn Rate: $977/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES CONSULTATION ON STUDY DESIGN, MOUSE BEHAVIORAL TESTING, DATA ANALYSIS, AND WRITTEN RESEARCH REPORTS ON FINDINGS FROM THE PHENOTYPING STUDIES.

Place of Performance

Location: CHAPEL HILL, ORANGE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27599

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $358,643.29 to UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL for work described as: THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES CONSULTATION ON STUDY DESIGN, MOUSE BEHAVIORAL TESTING, DATA ANALYSIS, AND WRITTEN RESEARCH REPORTS ON FINDINGS FROM THE PHENOTYPING STUDIES. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized laboratory services including study design, behavioral testing, and data analysis for phenotyping studies. 2. The award is a purchase order, indicating a streamlined acquisition process. 3. The contract duration is approximately one year, aligning with research project timelines. 4. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. The geographic location of the contractor is North Carolina.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $358,643.29 for a one-year period for specialized laboratory services appears within a reasonable range for such research support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for complex biological testing and data analysis is challenging without more specific service details. However, the fixed-price nature of the award provides cost predictability. The absence of a competitive process limits the ability to definitively assess optimal value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities, qualifications, or when circumstances necessitate a direct award. The lack of competition means that price discovery through market forces was not utilized, potentially leading to a higher cost than if multiple bids were solicited.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit opportunities for other businesses to compete for federal dollars and may result in less favorable pricing for taxpayers compared to competitively awarded contracts.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are researchers within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) who require specialized expertise in mouse behavioral testing and data analysis. The services delivered will support ongoing phenotyping studies, contributing to a deeper understanding of biological processes and potential disease mechanisms. The geographic impact is primarily within North Carolina, where the contractor is located. The contract supports scientific research and potentially the development of new therapies or diagnostic tools.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential for innovation from a wider market.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess contractor performance history.
The specific nature of 'phenotyping studies' requires specialized expertise, and the government's reliance on a single source may indicate limited market availability.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract duration of approximately one year is appropriate for the scope of research support.
The contractor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is a reputable research institution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the scientific research and development services sector, specifically focusing on laboratory testing and analysis. The market for specialized biological testing, including animal behavioral studies and complex data analysis, is often niche, with a limited number of institutions possessing the required expertise and facilities. Spending in this area supports the government's mission to advance scientific understanding and develop medical countermeasures.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded sole-source. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from this specific award. The absence of a competitive process also means no specific small business participation goals were likely established for this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the contracting officer and program officials within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As a purchase order, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and agency-specific policies. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, but contract award data is publicly available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Grants
Biomedical Research Services
Laboratory Animal Testing
Scientific Data Analysis Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Lack of detailed performance metrics requires close monitoring by the agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $358,643.29 to UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL. THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES CONSULTATION ON STUDY DESIGN, MOUSE BEHAVIORAL TESTING, DATA ANALYSIS, AND WRITTEN RESEARCH REPORTS ON FINDINGS FROM THE PHENOTYPING STUDIES.

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 $358,643.29.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-01. End: 2025-06-03.

What is the specific scientific objective of the phenotyping studies supported by this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact scientific objectives of the phenotyping studies. Phenotyping studies in research typically involve observing and measuring the characteristics of an organism, often to understand the effects of genetic modifications, environmental factors, or potential treatments. For mouse models, this can range from assessing physical traits and physiological functions to complex behavioral analyses aimed at understanding neurological disorders, metabolic diseases, or other conditions. Further details would likely be found in internal NIH research plans or project documentation.

How does the $358,643.29 contract value compare to similar NIH contracts for mouse behavioral testing?

Benchmarking this contract's value requires comparing it to similar sole-source or competitively awarded contracts for specialized mouse behavioral testing and data analysis services. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts with detailed scopes of work, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for a one-year engagement involving complex study design, execution, and analysis, this value appears within a plausible range for specialized research support. The sole-source nature, however, prevents a direct assessment of whether this represents the best value achievable through competition.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the services provided under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for research support services like this, KPIs would focus on the quality and timeliness of deliverables, such as the accuracy of behavioral testing data, the clarity and completeness of research reports, adherence to study protocols, and meeting project milestones. The contracting officer and the technical point of contact at NIH would be responsible for monitoring these aspects throughout the contract period.

What is the track record of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in performing similar federal research support contracts?

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) is a major research institution with a long history of securing federal grants and contracts, particularly from agencies like NIH. While specific contract performance data for this exact service type isn't provided, UNC-CH consistently ranks among top public research universities and has extensive experience in biomedical research, including animal studies and data analysis. Their established infrastructure and research reputation suggest a strong capability to perform these services effectively.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for these critical research support services?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award is the potential for suboptimal pricing due to the lack of competition, meaning taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible value. Another risk is the potential for complacency from the contractor, as there is no immediate competitive pressure to innovate or improve efficiency. Furthermore, if the contractor encounters unforeseen issues or fails to perform adequately, the government has limited alternative options for immediate replacement without initiating a new, potentially lengthy, sole-source justification process.

How does this contract contribute to the overall NIH mission in health research?

This contract directly supports the NIH's mission by providing essential specialized services for biomedical research. Phenotyping studies, particularly those involving mouse models, are fundamental to understanding complex biological systems, identifying disease mechanisms, and testing potential therapeutic interventions. By outsourcing these specific, technical tasks to an expert institution like UNC-Chapel Hill, NIH researchers can focus on higher-level scientific inquiry, data interpretation, and strategic planning, thereby accelerating the pace of discovery and advancing human health.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: University of North Carolina System Office

Address: 300 KENAN CENTER DR, CHAPEL HILL, NC, 27599

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $358,643

Exercised Options: $358,643

Current Obligation: $358,643

Actual Outlays: $258,128

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline