NIAAA awards $2.38M contract for animal care support to FEFA, LLC, with a 546-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,382,154 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Fefa, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 546 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM (NIAAA) DIVISION OF CLINICAL AND BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH (DICBR) ANIMAL CARE AND USE PROGRAM SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.4 million to FEFA, LLC for work described as: THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM (NIAAA) DIVISION OF CLINICAL AND BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH (DICBR) ANIMAL CARE AND USE PROGRAM SUPPORT Key points: 1. The contract value of $2.38M over 546 days suggests a moderate annual spend for specialized animal care services. 2. FEFA, LLC, the awardee, will provide essential support to NIAAA's research programs. 3. The contract is structured as Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not closely managed. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process. 5. The duration of the contract extends into March 2027, providing a stable support period for the agency. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541940 points to a specialized veterinary services market.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.38M over approximately 1.5 years for animal care support appears within a reasonable range for specialized services. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure warrants close monitoring to ensure cost efficiency. Benchmarking against similar contracts for veterinary services at NIH or other research institutions would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 6 bidders (no=6) indicates a healthy level of interest in this requirement. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria would further illuminate the effectiveness of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition likely resulted in a more competitive price, benefiting taxpayers by ensuring the government received value for its investment in animal care support services.

Public Impact

Researchers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) will benefit from uninterrupted animal care, enabling continued progress in their studies. The services provided are critical for the ethical and effective operation of animal research programs, supporting scientific discovery. The contract's impact is primarily concentrated within the research facilities supported by NIAAA, likely in Maryland. The contract supports specialized roles within the veterinary services sector, potentially creating or sustaining jobs for skilled animal care professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently, as it incentivizes labor hours rather than fixed outcomes.
The duration of the contract (546 days) is substantial, requiring ongoing oversight to ensure continued performance and adherence to scope.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical animal care support could pose a risk if the vendor experiences performance issues or financial instability.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition with 6 bidders, suggesting a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract supports a vital function for a federal research agency (NIAAA), contributing to public health research.
The vendor, FEFA, LLC, is being awarded a contract, indicating they have met the necessary qualifications and requirements.

Sector Analysis

The veterinary services sector, classified under NAICS code 541940, encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing veterinary services for animals. This includes diagnostic, treatment, and preventive healthcare services. Federal agencies like NIH frequently contract for such services to support their extensive biomedical research programs, which often involve animal models. Spending in this sector by the federal government can fluctuate based on research priorities and the scale of animal facilities operated or supported.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside (ss=false, sb=false). Therefore, the direct impact on small business participation through set-asides is not present. However, the prime contractor, FEFA, LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on their subcontracting plan and the nature of the services required. Further analysis of subcontracting reports would be needed to assess the broader impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) contracting officers and program managers. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of the contract necessitates rigorous monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs to ensure compliance and prevent overspending. Performance reviews and regular reporting from FEFA, LLC will be crucial accountability measures. The specific Inspector General jurisdiction would typically fall under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Related Government Programs

NIH Animal Care and Use Programs
NIAAA Research Support Contracts
Veterinary Services for Federal Agencies
Biomedical Research Support Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Vendor performance history needs verification for assurance of quality and reliability.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical support functions poses a potential risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.4 million to FEFA, LLC. THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM (NIAAA) DIVISION OF CLINICAL AND BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH (DICBR) ANIMAL CARE AND USE PROGRAM SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FEFA, LLC.

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 $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for animal care and use program support at NIAAA or NIH?

Analyzing historical spending for similar animal care and use program support contracts at NIAAA and across NIH is crucial for context. While specific historical data for this exact contract is not provided, general trends in federal research spending, particularly in biomedical fields, can indicate whether this $2.38M award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. Factors such as changes in research focus, agency budgets, and the number of active animal research protocols influence these spending patterns. A review of past solicitations and awards for comparable services would reveal typical contract values, durations, and the number of bidders, offering insights into market stability and pricing trends over time.

How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) compare to other contract types for similar veterinary services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change. For veterinary services, T&M can be advantageous for unpredictable needs like emergency care or variable research support. However, it carries a higher risk of cost escalation compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, which offer greater cost certainty. Other contract types like Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) might be used for research-intensive services where costs are less predictable but outcomes are defined. The choice of T&M here suggests a need for flexibility, but it places a greater burden on the government to meticulously track hours and costs to ensure value and prevent contractor overcharging. Benchmarking against T&M contracts for similar services elsewhere in HHS or other research agencies would reveal if FEFA, LLC's proposed rates are competitive.

What are the specific performance expectations and metrics for FEFA, LLC under this contract?

The contract likely outlines specific performance work statements (PWS) detailing the required services, standards, and deliverables for animal care and use program support. Key performance indicators (KPIs) would typically include aspects like animal welfare compliance, adherence to research protocols, timeliness of services, staff qualifications, and response times for critical needs. While the provided data doesn't detail these, federal contracts usually include clauses for performance monitoring and remedies for deficiencies. The government's ability to effectively measure and manage FEFA, LLC's performance against these metrics is critical for ensuring the quality of animal care and the success of the research it supports, especially given the T&M structure.

What is FEFA, LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly within the NIH or similar research institutions?

Assessing FEFA, LLC's past performance on federal contracts is vital for understanding their reliability and capability. Information on their contract history, including previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any past disputes or corrective actions, would provide valuable insight. Experience with similar animal care and veterinary support services, especially within the NIH or other research-intensive agencies, would indicate a lower performance risk. A review of their financial stability and capacity to handle a contract of this size and scope is also important. Without this specific performance data, the assessment relies on the assumption that the competitive process adequately vetted the awardee.

What is the potential impact of this contract on ongoing or future NIAAA research projects?

This contract is essential for the continuity and success of NIAAA's animal research endeavors. Reliable and high-quality animal care and support services directly impact the integrity and reproducibility of research findings. By ensuring the well-being and proper management of research animals, the contract enables scientists to conduct experiments that contribute to understanding and treating alcohol-related disorders. Any disruption or subpar performance in these support services could delay research progress, compromise data quality, and potentially impact the allocation of future research funding. The stability provided by this contract allows NIAAA researchers to focus on scientific objectives.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Veterinary 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

Solicitation ID: LARC-2025-NIAAA-0028

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1101 CONNECTICUT AVENUE NW, SUITE 450, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,435,969

Exercised Options: $2,382,154

Current Obligation: $2,382,154

Actual Outlays: $22,769

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98019D00043

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline