HHS awards $2.97M for Veterinary Services to Charles River Laboratories Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,974,507 ($3.0M)

Contractor: Charles River Laboratories, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-03-10

End Date: 2022-02-28

Contract Duration: 355 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INC:1109629 [21-000039]

Place of Performance

Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21224

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.0 million to CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES, INC. for work described as: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INC:1109629 [21-000039] Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, established provider. 2. Potential for cost savings through competitive bidding. 3. Risk of vendor lock-in if competition is limited. 4. Spending falls within the 'Veterinary Services' sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $2.97M for a 355-day duration appears reasonable for specialized veterinary services. Benchmarking against similar contracts is needed for a definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method aims to secure the best value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better pricing and value for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition contracts.

Public Impact

Supports critical research and development activities through specialized services. Ensures the health and welfare of research animals, vital for scientific integrity. Contributes to the broader biomedical research ecosystem funded by NIH.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 83 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract type.
  • Reliance on a single vendor for critical services.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded through full and open competition.
  • Supports a vital government agency (NIH).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Veterinary Services (NAICS 541940), a niche but essential sector supporting research and development. Spending benchmarks for this specific service area are not readily available but are typically tied to research funding levels.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to compete or if subcontracting opportunities exist.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of HHS known for its rigorous oversight. The use of full and open competition suggests adherence to procurement regulations.

Related Government Programs

  • Veterinary Services
  • Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
  • National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
  • Lack of small business participation noted.
  • Dependence on a single vendor for critical services.

Tags

veterinary-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.0 million to CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES, INC.. CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INC:1109629 [21-000039]

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 $3.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-10. End: 2022-02-28.

What is the typical cost range for similar veterinary services contracts awarded by NIH?

Determining the typical cost range for similar veterinary services contracts requires access to a broader dataset of NIH procurements. Factors like the specific species, duration of service, and required expertise significantly influence pricing. Benchmarking against contracts with similar scope and duration would provide a more accurate comparison.

What are the specific risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for veterinary services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts carry inherent risks of cost escalation if not closely monitored. For veterinary services, this could manifest as extended treatment times or unforeseen complications leading to increased labor and material costs. Robust oversight and clear task definitions are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effectively does this contract support NIH's research mission?

This contract directly supports NIH's research mission by providing essential veterinary services, likely for laboratory animals used in biomedical research. The quality and timeliness of these services are critical for the integrity and progress of scientific studies. The contract's duration and scope suggest a significant contribution to ongoing research projects.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesOther Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesVeterinary Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT)PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

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: $2,974,507

Exercised Options: $2,974,507

Current Obligation: $2,974,507

Actual Outlays: $2,974,507

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98019D00042

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2021-03-10

Current End Date: 2022-02-28

Potential End Date: 2022-02-28 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-03-26

More Contracts from Charles River Laboratories, Inc.

View all Charles River Laboratories, Inc. federal contracts →

Other Department of Health and Human Services Contracts

View all Department of Health and Human Services contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending