NIH Awards $2.89M for Pharmacy A/E Services to RMF Engineering, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,887,698 ($2.9M)

Contractor: RMF Engineering, Inc., P.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-08-22

End Date: 2026-05-15

Contract Duration: 1,362 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: C111148 - EXTENDED SERVICES A/E CGMP SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT FOR NIH CLINICAL CENTER PHARMACY AND PERMANENT INTRAVENOUS ADMIXTURE UNIT (PIVAU)

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.9 million to RMF ENGINEERING, INC., P.C. for work described as: C111148 - EXTENDED SERVICES A/E CGMP SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT FOR NIH CLINICAL CENTER PHARMACY AND PERMANENT INTRAVENOUS ADMIXTURE UNIT (PIVAU) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to RMF Engineering, Inc. for specialized A/E services. 2. Focus on GMP compliance for NIH Clinical Center Pharmacy and PIVAU. 3. Contract duration is 1362 days, ending May 2026. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type. 5. Small business participation not indicated.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.89M over approximately 3.75 years appears reasonable for specialized A/E services in a regulated environment like a clinical pharmacy. Benchmarking against similar A/E contracts for healthcare facilities would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method is generally expected to yield fair market prices and identify qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing competitive pricing for necessary services.

Public Impact

Ensures compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for critical pharmacy operations. Supports the functionality and safety of the NIH Clinical Center's pharmacy and PIVAU. Provides specialized engineering and architectural expertise for healthcare infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of explicit small business participation noted.
Specific performance metrics not detailed in provided data.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract type can control costs.
Long-term engagement allows for continuity of expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330). Spending in this sector is driven by infrastructure development, maintenance, and specialized technical support across various government agencies, particularly in healthcare and research facilities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses for this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation goals were met or if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of HHS. Oversight would involve monitoring contractor performance against contract requirements and ensuring adherence to GMP standards.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not tightly defined.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical compliance expertise.
Ensuring adequate technical expertise within NIH for oversight.
Potential impact of regulatory changes on design requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.9 million to RMF ENGINEERING, INC., P.C.. C111148 - EXTENDED SERVICES A/E CGMP SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT FOR NIH CLINICAL CENTER PHARMACY AND PERMANENT INTRAVENOUS ADMIXTURE UNIT (PIVAU)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RMF ENGINEERING, INC., P.C..

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 $2.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-22. End: 2026-05-15.

What specific GMP requirements are being addressed by these A/E services, and how will compliance be verified?

The A/E services are likely focused on ensuring the physical infrastructure and operational workflows of the NIH Clinical Center Pharmacy and PIVAU meet stringent Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) regulations. Verification will involve detailed design reviews, site inspections, and potentially validation testing by the contractor, with oversight from NIH quality assurance personnel to confirm adherence to FDA and other relevant regulatory standards.

What is the potential risk if RMF Engineering, Inc. fails to meet the GMP compliance standards for the PIVAU?

Failure to meet GMP standards poses significant risks, including compromised drug safety and efficacy, potential patient harm, regulatory non-compliance leading to FDA warnings or shutdowns, and reputational damage to NIH. This could necessitate costly remediation efforts and disrupt critical patient care services, impacting the NIH's research and treatment mission.

How does the firm fixed price contract structure ensure cost-effectiveness for these specialized A/E services?

A firm fixed price (FFP) contract establishes a ceiling price, incentivizing the contractor to manage costs efficiently to maximize profit. For specialized A/E services like GMP compliance, FFP shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, provided the scope of work is well-defined. This structure offers predictability for the government and encourages the contractor to deliver services within the agreed budget.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5520 RESEARCH PK DR STE 300, CATONSVILLE, MD, 21228

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,887,698

Exercised Options: $2,887,698

Current Obligation: $2,887,698

Actual Outlays: $2,354,313

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N99020D00005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline