NIDCR awards $766K for Sjogren's disease biomarker research, including biospecimen logistics and TMA coordination

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $76,608 ($76.6K)

Contractor: Corinne Goldsmith Inc

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: $210/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: [26-001060] NIDCR REQUIRES SPECIALIZED SENIOR BIOLOGIST SUPPORT SERVICES TO MANAGE BIOSPECIMEN LOGISTICS, TISSUE MICROARRAY (TMA) COORDINATION, AND MULTI-SITE SAMPLE WORKFLOWS IN SUPPORT OF SJOGRENS DISEASE BIOMARKER RESEARCH.

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20906

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $76,608 to CORINNE GOLDSMITH INC for work described as: [26-001060] NIDCR REQUIRES SPECIALIZED SENIOR BIOLOGIST SUPPORT SERVICES TO MANAGE BIOSPECIMEN LOGISTICS, TISSUE MICROARRAY (TMA) COORDINATION, AND MULTI-SITE SAMPLE WORKFLOWS IN SUPPORT OF SJOGRENS DISEASE BIOMARKER RESEARCH. Key points: 1. The contract supports critical research into Sjogren's disease biomarkers. 2. Specialized senior biologist support is required for complex sample workflows. 3. The contract is competed under SAP, indicating a potentially competitive process. 4. The sector is healthcare/biomedical research, a high-priority area for NIH.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $766,080 over one year appears reasonable for specialized scientific support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for senior biologist support in biomedical research would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a competitive process was utilized. This method aims to achieve fair and reasonable pricing through multiple offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of competitive procedures is expected to result in efficient use of taxpayer funds for critical research support.

Public Impact

Supports vital research into Sjogren's disease, potentially leading to new treatments. Ensures proper management of sensitive biospecimens and complex research data. The contract contributes to the advancement of medical knowledge and public health. NIH's investment in specialized research services highlights its commitment to scientific discovery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in complex sample workflow management.
Reliance on a single vendor for specialized expertise.

Positive Signals

Supports critical NIH research mission.
Utilizes competitive procurement procedures.
Focus on a significant public health issue.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the healthcare and research sector, specifically supporting biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health. Spending in this area is crucial for medical advancements and public health initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a reputable agency with established oversight mechanisms. The use of purchase orders and time and materials contracts requires diligent monitoring to ensure cost control and performance.

Related Government Programs

Testing Laboratories and Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized expertise.
Complexity of managing multi-site sample workflows.
Reliance on time and materials pricing structure.
Need for stringent quality control over biospecimen handling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $76,608 to CORINNE GOLDSMITH INC. [26-001060] NIDCR REQUIRES SPECIALIZED SENIOR BIOLOGIST SUPPORT SERVICES TO MANAGE BIOSPECIMEN LOGISTICS, TISSUE MICROARRAY (TMA) COORDINATION, AND MULTI-SITE SAMPLE WORKFLOWS IN SUPPORT OF SJOGRENS DISEASE BIOMARKER RESEARCH.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CORINNE GOLDSMITH 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 $76,608.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific expertise required for the senior biologist role, and how does it align with the complexity of Sjogren's disease biomarker research?

The senior biologist requires specialized skills in biospecimen logistics, tissue microarray (TMA) coordination, and managing multi-site sample workflows. This expertise is crucial for ensuring the integrity and usability of samples in complex research like Sjogren's disease biomarker studies, where sample quality directly impacts research outcomes and the validity of findings.

What are the potential risks associated with managing multi-site sample workflows and biospecimen logistics under this contract?

Risks include sample degradation due to improper handling or storage, data integrity issues from tracking errors across multiple sites, and delays in research timelines. Ensuring robust chain-of-custody protocols, standardized operating procedures, and effective communication across all participating sites are critical to mitigate these risks.

How will the effectiveness of the senior biologist's support services be measured to ensure successful research outcomes?

Effectiveness will likely be measured by the successful coordination of sample workflows, timely delivery of biospecimens, accuracy of sample tracking and data management, and the overall contribution to the progress of the Sjogren's disease biomarker research. Performance metrics tied to research milestones and adherence to quality standards will be key indicators.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: PCA-NIDCR-01213

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1629 POPLAR RUN DR, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20906

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $234,451

Exercised Options: $76,608

Current Obligation: $76,608

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline