NIH awards $182K for patient photography services, with a 364-day base period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $182,400 ($182.4K)

Contractor: Agarwal, Elena

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2027-04-08

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $501/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: 26-003572 MEDICAL RESEARCH PATIENT PHOTOGRAPHY BASE YEAR 04/09/2026 TO 04/08/2027

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $182,400 to AGARWAL, ELENA for work described as: 26-003572 MEDICAL RESEARCH PATIENT PHOTOGRAPHY BASE YEAR 04/09/2026 TO 04/08/2027 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized medical photography services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially efficient price discovery process. 3. Risk indicators are low, given the firm-fixed-price structure and short duration. 4. Performance context suggests a need for high-quality visual documentation in medical research. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the broader healthcare and research support industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The base year award of $182,400 for patient photography is within a reasonable range for specialized medical imaging services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for medical illustration or videography suggests this pricing is competitive. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides predictability for the agency. Given the specific nature of medical patient photography, which requires adherence to privacy regulations and specialized equipment, the price appears to reflect the value of expertise and compliance.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process was utilized for awards below certain thresholds. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation implies that multiple offers were solicited and considered. This level of competition, even within SAP, generally leads to better price discovery and ensures the government receives fair and reasonable pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even under SAP, suggests that taxpayer funds are being used efficiently by leveraging market forces to secure necessary services at a competitive rate.

Public Impact

Patients participating in NIH-funded medical research studies will benefit from accurate and high-quality visual documentation. The services delivered will support the dissemination and understanding of research findings through visual aids. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where NIH facilities are located. The contract supports specialized roles within the motion picture and video production industry, contributing to the scientific communication workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if research protocols change significantly during the contract period.
Dependence on the availability of specialized photographers with medical ethics training.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost overruns.
Short base year duration allows for reassessment and potential re-competition.
Awarded to a qualified vendor with demonstrated capabilities in motion picture and video production.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader healthcare and research sector, specifically supporting the visual documentation needs of medical research. The market for specialized medical photography and videography is niche, often requiring professionals with a deep understanding of scientific protocols, patient privacy (HIPAA), and ethical considerations. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in contracts for medical illustration, scientific visualization, and clinical trial documentation services, where quality and compliance are paramount.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and does not appear to be specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information suggesting significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The awardee's size is not specified, but the nature of the service might lend itself to smaller, specialized firms. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) contracting officer and program officials. The firm-fixed-price structure provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction for this particular delivery order isn't detailed, the HHS IG oversees a broad range of health-related programs and expenditures.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Support Services
Medical Illustration and Photography Contracts
Clinical Trial Documentation
Scientific Visualization Services

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is highly concentrated.
Reliance on contractor's adherence to strict ethical and privacy guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $182,400 to AGARWAL, ELENA. 26-003572 MEDICAL RESEARCH PATIENT PHOTOGRAPHY BASE YEAR 04/09/2026 TO 04/08/2027

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AGARWAL, ELENA.

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 $182,400.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2027-04-08.

What is the contractor's track record with the federal government, particularly with NIH or similar research institutions?

Information regarding the specific contractor, AGARWAL, ELENA, and their prior federal contracting history is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require searching federal procurement databases (e.g., SAM.gov, FPDS) for past performance records, including previous awards, performance evaluations (like CPARS), and any history of disputes or terminations. Understanding their experience with similar medical research photography projects is crucial for evaluating their capability to meet NIH's requirements effectively and without issue.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar medical patient photography services?

The base year award of $182,400 for patient photography services is difficult to benchmark precisely without more detailed service descriptions and market data. However, considering the specialized nature of medical photography, which often requires adherence to strict protocols, patient privacy regulations (HIPAA), and potentially specialized equipment or personnel trained in medical ethics, this price appears reasonable. Comparable services might include medical illustration, scientific videography, or clinical photography. A thorough market analysis would involve comparing rates from multiple vendors offering similar specialized services, factoring in geographic location, required expertise, and the scope of work (e.g., number of sessions, types of imaging).

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential scope creep if research objectives evolve, ensuring consistent quality and adherence to ethical/privacy standards, and the contractor's ability to deliver on time. Mitigation strategies are embedded in the contract structure: the firm-fixed-price (FFP) type limits cost overruns, the short 364-day base period allows for periodic review and adjustment, and the competitive award process suggests the contractor was vetted for capability. Clear performance work statements (PWS) and regular communication between the NIH program office and the contractor are essential for managing quality and scope.

How effective is the current competition level in ensuring value for taxpayer money?

The contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a competitive process was used, likely involving multiple quotes or proposals. While SAP is designed for smaller procurements, it still leverages market competition. The effectiveness in ensuring value depends on the number of bidders and the rigor of the evaluation process. A competitive SAP award generally provides better value than a sole-source procurement, as it forces vendors to offer competitive pricing and terms. However, the highest value is typically achieved through full and open competition, which may not always be feasible or cost-effective for smaller contract values like this one.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar medical photography services at NIH or HHS?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar services at NIH or HHS would require accessing and reviewing extensive federal procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve searching for contracts with keywords related to 'medical photography,' 'patient imaging,' 'research videography,' and relevant NAICS codes (like 512110 - Motion Picture and Video Production). Understanding past spending levels, contract durations, competition types, and award values for similar services would help establish a baseline for evaluating the current contract's cost-effectiveness and identify any significant trends or anomalies in NIH's procurement of these specialized visual documentation services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Motion Picture and Video Industries › Motion Picture and Video Production

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 23024 MEADOW MIST RD, CLARKSBURG, MD, 20871

Business Categories: Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $182,400

Exercised Options: $182,400

Current Obligation: $182,400

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98026D00021

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline