NIH awards $3.7M contract for aquatic care and research support to JS Technology, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,690,696 ($3.7M)

Contractor: JS Technology, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-02-01

End Date: 2027-01-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (NICHD), AQUATIC CARE AND RESEARCH SUPPORT LARC-2026-NICHD-0001

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX STATION, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22039

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.7 million to JS TECHNOLOGY, INC for work described as: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (NICHD), AQUATIC CARE AND RESEARCH SUPPORT LARC-2026-NICHD-0001 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized research support services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risk indicators include the Time and Materials pricing structure. 4. This contract supports critical research at NICHD. 5. The award falls within the professional and management consulting services sector. 6. JS Technology, Inc. is the sole awardee for this specific delivery order.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $3.7 million over one year for specialized aquatic care and research support appears to be within a reasonable range for such niche services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for laboratory animal care and specialized research support indicates that the pricing structure, while Time and Materials, is not inherently indicative of overpayment without further detailed cost analysis. The specific nature of the services required, involving aquatic environments and research, often commands higher costs due to specialized equipment, expertise, and safety protocols.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a robust competitive process was initiated. A full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and a wider pool of potential contractors, which can benefit the government in securing competitive pricing and innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the government by encouraging multiple companies to bid, potentially driving down costs and improving service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are researchers at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) who rely on these services for their scientific endeavors. Services delivered include essential aquatic animal care, husbandry, and research support, crucial for studies in developmental biology and related fields. The geographic impact is localized to the facility where the services are performed, likely within the NIH campus in Virginia. Workforce implications include the potential for specialized technicians and animal care professionals employed by JS Technology, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) pricing can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored, as it directly reimburses labor hours and material costs without a fixed ceiling.
The duration of the contract (one year) may limit long-term strategic planning for the research support services.
Lack of specific details on performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's efficiency and effectiveness beyond basic service delivery.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent procurement process.
The contract supports a critical mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), contributing to scientific advancement.
JS Technology, Inc. is a known entity in providing specialized technical services, implying some level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under Veterinary Services (NAICS 541940). This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized expertise, from scientific research and development to management consulting and environmental services. The market for animal care and research support is driven by the needs of government agencies, academic institutions, and private research firms. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar specialized laboratory animal support services can vary significantly based on the type of animals, complexity of care, and research protocols involved.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The focus was on securing the best offer through broad competition rather than targeting small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) where contract awards are publicly reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Support Contracts
Animal Care and Use Programs
Laboratory Services
Scientific Research Support
Health and Human Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Specialized nature of services may limit the pool of qualified contractors in future procurements.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.7 million to JS TECHNOLOGY, INC. NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (NICHD), AQUATIC CARE AND RESEARCH SUPPORT LARC-2026-NICHD-0001

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JS TECHNOLOGY, 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 $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-01. End: 2027-01-31.

What is the track record of JS Technology, Inc. in providing similar aquatic care and research support services to federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of JS Technology, Inc. in providing aquatic care and research support services to federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and client references. However, the award of this contract by NICHD suggests that the agency has evaluated JS Technology, Inc.'s capabilities and found them sufficient for the required services. Further due diligence might involve examining their experience with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541940 - Veterinary Services, or related scientific support codes) and the scale and complexity of previous contracts they have managed.

How does the awarded amount compare to historical spending on similar aquatic support services by NICHD or other NIH institutes?

The provided data does not include historical spending figures for similar aquatic support services by NICHD or other NIH institutes, making a direct comparison difficult. To conduct such an analysis, one would need to access historical contract databases (like FPDS) and search for contracts with similar scopes of work, service providers, and timeframes within the relevant NIH institutes. Factors influencing historical spending would include inflation, changes in research needs, and the competitive landscape at the time of previous awards. The current award of approximately $3.7 million for a one-year period provides a data point, but its relative value requires broader historical context.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure for this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure is the potential for cost overruns, as the contractor is reimbursed for actual labor hours and material costs incurred. This can lead to unpredictable expenditures if the scope of work is not well-defined or if inefficiencies arise. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust government oversight, including detailed monitoring of labor hours, verification of material costs, and the establishment of not-to-exceed (NTE) clauses or cost ceilings within the contract. Clear performance work statements and regular progress reviews are also crucial to ensure that the work performed aligns with the government's needs and budget.

What specific research areas or projects within NICHD will benefit most directly from these aquatic care and research support services?

These aquatic care and research support services are crucial for NICHD's mission, which focuses on understanding child development, improving children's health, and promoting the well-being of families. Aquatic models are often used in developmental biology, toxicology, and disease research. Therefore, projects investigating developmental processes, the effects of environmental factors on development, or the mechanisms of diseases that can be studied in aquatic organisms (such as zebrafish or Xenopus) would benefit directly. The support ensures the health and proper maintenance of these research animals, which is fundamental for the validity and reproducibility of the scientific findings derived from them.

Are there any performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) defined in the contract to ensure service quality and contractor accountability?

The provided data snippet does not explicitly list the performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, standard government contracts, especially those for specialized services like animal care and research support, typically include performance standards. These often cover aspects such as animal health and welfare, response times for care requests, adherence to protocols, facility cleanliness, and reporting accuracy. The contracting officer's representative (COR) is usually responsible for monitoring contractor performance against these standards and addressing any deficiencies. A thorough review of the full contract document would be necessary to identify the specific KPIs.

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-2026-NICHD-0001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7810 PREAKNESS LN, FAIRFAX STATION, VA, 22039

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,572,917

Exercised Options: $3,690,696

Current Obligation: $3,690,696

Actual Outlays: $330,495

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98019D00044

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline