NASA awards $2M contract to University of Washington for kidney cell culture research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,000,000 ($2.0M)
Contractor: University of Washington
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-11-15
End Date: 2026-11-14
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: EXTENDED CULTURE OF KIDNEY MPS AND ORGANOIDS TO MODEL ACUTE AND CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO DRUGS AND ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS
Place of Performance
Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98195
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.0 million to UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON for work described as: EXTENDED CULTURE OF KIDNEY MPS AND ORGANOIDS TO MODEL ACUTE AND CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO DRUGS AND ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on developing advanced cell models for drug and toxin exposure studies. 2. Research aims to improve understanding of kidney health and disease mechanisms. 3. The award supports fundamental scientific inquiry within the physical, engineering, and life sciences. 4. Long-term contract duration suggests a sustained research effort. 5. Funding is allocated for a critical area of biomedical research with potential public health implications.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2 million over four years appears reasonable for specialized biomedical research. Benchmarking against similar research grants or contracts for organoid development and toxicology studies would provide further context. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps manage cost certainty for the agency. Without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the amount is within typical ranges for academic research collaborations.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to yield fair pricing and innovative solutions. The presence of nine bidders suggests a healthy level of interest and capability within the research community for this type of work.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government receives the best possible value through a rigorous selection process and competitive pricing.
Public Impact
The University of Washington, a leading research institution, will conduct the work. The research is expected to advance scientific understanding of kidney function and disease. Potential beneficiaries include patients with kidney conditions and the broader public through improved drug safety. The project is based in Washington state, supporting local research infrastructure and personnel.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for long-term reliance on specific cell models, limiting future research flexibility.
- Research outcomes are inherently uncertain and may not yield immediate practical applications.
Positive Signals
- Supports a critical area of biomedical research with potential for significant public health impact.
- Leverages the expertise of a reputable research institution.
- Competitive award process suggests a strong proposal was selected.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences and biomedical research. The market for developing advanced cellular models for toxicology and disease modeling is growing, driven by the need for more accurate and ethical testing methods than traditional animal models. NASA's investment in this area aligns with broader federal initiatives to advance biological research and understanding.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions. The award to a large university research institution suggests that the primary focus was on specialized scientific expertise rather than small business participation. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but could arise if specialized equipment or services are required.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is subject to standard federal oversight mechanisms, including review by NASA's Office of Inspector General. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency will be maintained through reporting requirements and the publication of research findings, subject to any necessary intellectual property or national security considerations.
Related Government Programs
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants
- National Science Foundation (NSF) biological research funding
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) toxicology programs
Risk Flags
- Scientific uncertainty
- Technical feasibility of organoid development
- Long-term research sustainability
Tags
research-and-development, life-sciences, biomedical-research, nasa, university-of-washington, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, definitive-contract, washington-state, organoids, toxicology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.0 million to UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON. EXTENDED CULTURE OF KIDNEY MPS AND ORGANOIDS TO MODEL ACUTE AND CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO DRUGS AND ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-11-15. End: 2026-11-14.
What is the specific scientific methodology the University of Washington will employ for developing the kidney organoids?
The University of Washington's research proposal likely details specific protocols for deriving induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), differentiating them into kidney progenitor cells, and subsequently guiding their self-organization into three-dimensional organoids that mimic kidney structures and functions. This often involves the use of specific growth factors, extracellular matrix components, and bioreactor systems to provide a controlled environment for organoid development. The research will focus on establishing robust and reproducible methods for generating these organoids, ensuring they possess relevant cellular diversity and functional characteristics to accurately model kidney physiology and pathology. Further details would be found in the technical volume of their proposal.
How does the $2 million funding compare to other federal investments in kidney disease research or organoid development?
The $2 million award from NASA for kidney organoid development is a significant but not exceptionally large sum within the context of federal biomedical research funding. Agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), particularly the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), allocate hundreds of millions of dollars annually to kidney disease research. Funding for organoid development, as a specific technology platform, is distributed across various institutes and centers. While this NASA contract is substantial for a single project, it represents a focused investment in a specific application (drug/toxin modeling) rather than broad-spectrum kidney disease research. Benchmarking against specific NIH R01 grants for stem cell or organoid research would provide a more direct comparison, with many such grants ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 per year.
What are the primary risks associated with this research contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include scientific uncertainty (the research may not yield the desired organoid models or insights), technical challenges (difficulty in consistently generating functional organoids), and potential delays in research progress. Mitigation strategies likely involve the University of Washington's established expertise in stem cell biology and organoid technology, a phased research approach with clear milestones, and NASA's oversight to monitor progress and address challenges proactively. The fixed-price contract structure also incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and timelines effectively. Furthermore, the competitive selection process aimed to identify a team with a high probability of success.
What is the expected timeline for tangible research outputs or breakthroughs from this contract?
This is a four-year contract, suggesting that tangible outputs will likely be delivered incrementally over this period. Initial phases may focus on establishing and optimizing the organoid culture systems. Subsequent phases would involve exposing these models to various drugs and toxins to gather data on cellular responses, toxicity mechanisms, and potential biomarkers. Breakthroughs are difficult to predict in fundamental research, but potential outputs could include validated kidney organoid models suitable for high-throughput screening, publications in peer-reviewed journals detailing novel findings on kidney toxicology, and potentially the identification of new therapeutic targets or diagnostic indicators for kidney diseases. The final year would likely involve comprehensive data analysis and reporting.
How does NASA's interest in kidney organoid research align with its broader mission?
NASA's interest in kidney organoid research, while seemingly niche, aligns with its broader mission in several ways. Firstly, understanding human physiology under various conditions, including those relevant to spaceflight (e.g., radiation, microgravity effects on organs), requires advanced biological models. Kidney function can be affected by these stressors, and organoids offer a way to study these impacts without extensive human trials. Secondly, NASA invests in cutting-edge technologies that can have dual-use applications, benefiting both space exploration and terrestrial health. Developing sophisticated biological models for drug and toxin testing contributes to pharmaceutical development and environmental health, aligning with NASA's role in advancing science and technology for the benefit of humanity.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: NNH21ZDA015N
Offers Received: 9
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: University of Washington Inc
Address: 4333 BROOKLYN AVE NE, SEATTLE, WA, 98195
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public)
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,000,000
Exercised Options: $2,000,000
Current Obligation: $2,000,000
Actual Outlays: $1,500,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-11-15
Current End Date: 2026-11-14
Potential End Date: 2026-11-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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