DoD's $3.5M Infectious Disease Diagnostics Contract Awarded to Genecapture, Inc. for Point-of-Care Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,492,904 ($3.5M)

Contractor: Genecapture, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-11-03

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,001 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: INFECTIOUS DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS AND DIFFERENTIATION OF VIRAL VS. BACTERIAL INFECTIONS FOR POINT OF CARE APPLICATIONS (PHASE III)

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $3.5 million to GENECAPTURE, INC. for work described as: INFECTIOUS DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS AND DIFFERENTIATION OF VIRAL VS. BACTERIAL INFECTIONS FOR POINT OF CARE APPLICATIONS (PHASE III) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced R&D for infectious disease diagnostics, aiming for point-of-care applications. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract's duration and cost-plus-fixed-fee structure indicate a research-intensive project with potential for cost overruns. 4. Genecapture, Inc. is the sole awardee, highlighting their specialized capabilities in this niche. 5. The project aligns with DoD's broader goals of rapid threat detection and medical readiness. 6. Performance period extends over two years, allowing for significant development and testing.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $3.5 million for a research and development project of this scope and duration appears within a reasonable range. However, without specific benchmarks for similar infectious disease diagnostic R&D contracts within the Department of Defense or other federal agencies, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type suggests that costs are reimbursed, plus a fixed fee for profit, which can lead to less price certainty compared to fixed-price contracts. Further analysis would require comparing the proposed technical approach and expected deliverables against industry standards and the pricing of comparable research efforts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a 'full and open competition' solicitation, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data does not specify the number of bids received, but the designation implies a robust competitive environment was sought. This approach is generally favored to ensure the government receives the best possible value by leveraging market competition to drive down prices and encourage innovation. The specific details of the solicitation and the evaluation criteria would provide further insight into the rigor of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and potentially lower overall contract costs compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and potentially military personnel, through the development of advanced diagnostic tools for infectious diseases. The contract aims to deliver improved capabilities for differentiating viral from bacterial infections at the point of care, enhancing rapid medical response. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, where research and development activities will likely take place, with potential future deployment globally. Workforce implications include specialized roles in research, development, and potentially manufacturing of diagnostic technologies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can incentivize higher spending as the contractor is reimbursed for costs incurred.
The research and development nature of the contract carries inherent risks of technical challenges and potential delays.
Limited information on contractor's past performance in similar large-scale R&D projects requires further investigation.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive and fair process.
Focus on critical area of infectious disease diagnostics aligns with national security and public health priorities.
The project's phase (Phase III) suggests progression and potential for successful technology maturation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences and medical technologies. The market for infectious disease diagnostics is significant and growing, driven by public health concerns, emerging pathogens, and the need for rapid, accurate testing. Within the federal landscape, agencies like the Department of Defense, NIH, and CDC are major funders of such R&D. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal contracts for advanced diagnostic development, particularly those focused on point-of-care solutions and rapid pathogen identification.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, small businesses are unlikely to be direct prime contractors on this award. However, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors if Genecapture, Inc. chooses to engage them for specialized services or components. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on Genecapture's subcontracting strategy and the specific needs of the R&D project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) or a similar entity within the Department of Defense. Accountability measures are embedded in the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, requiring detailed cost reporting and adherence to the Statement of Work. Transparency is typically facilitated through contract awards databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Infectious Disease Surveillance and Response
Point-of-Care Medical Diagnostics
Biodefense Research
Medical Countermeasures Development

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF Contract Type)
Technical Feasibility Risk (R&D Project)
Contractor Performance Uncertainty (Newer Contractor)
Market Competition Assessment Needed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $3.5 million to GENECAPTURE, INC.. INFECTIOUS DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS AND DIFFERENTIATION OF VIRAL VS. BACTERIAL INFECTIONS FOR POINT OF CARE APPLICATIONS (PHASE III)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENECAPTURE, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Threat Reduction Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-11-03. End: 2026-07-31.

What is Genecapture, Inc.'s track record with Department of Defense contracts, particularly in research and development for medical diagnostics?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Genecapture, Inc. has received federal contracts primarily focused on research and development. While specific details on the scale and scope of their past DoD contracts in infectious disease diagnostics are not immediately available from this summary data, their selection for this Phase III project suggests a level of demonstrated capability and progress in prior phases or related efforts. Further investigation into their contract history, including performance reviews and the nature of previous awards, would be necessary to fully assess their track record. Understanding their success in previous R&D phases for this specific technology would provide crucial context for evaluating the likelihood of success in Phase III.

How does the $3.5 million contract value compare to similar infectious disease diagnostic R&D efforts funded by the DoD or other federal agencies?

Assessing the $3.5 million contract value requires benchmarking against similar R&D initiatives. Federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) also fund significant research in diagnostics. While direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific technical scope and maturity of Genecapture's technology, $3.5 million for a Phase III development contract over approximately two years is not uncommon for specialized R&D projects. However, it is crucial to compare this against contracts with similar objectives, such as developing point-of-care devices for pathogen identification, and consider the number of bidders and the complexity of the research involved. A higher number of bidders in comparable solicitations might suggest a more competitive market, potentially leading to lower costs for similar outcomes.

What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for infectious disease diagnostics R&D?

The primary risks associated with this CPFF contract revolve around cost control and technical performance. For the government, the CPFF structure means that the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs plus a fixed fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently. The contractor has less incentive to control costs compared to a fixed-price contract. For Genecapture, Inc., the risk lies in accurately estimating the effort required and managing technical challenges inherent in R&D. If unforeseen technical hurdles arise, the fixed fee may not adequately compensate for the additional work, or the project timeline could be extended. Effective oversight by the government is critical to mitigate these risks, ensuring that costs are reasonable and allocable, and that the project stays on track towards its objectives.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the development and deployment of point-of-care infectious disease diagnostics?

This contract is expected to significantly advance the development and potential deployment of point-of-care infectious disease diagnostics. By funding Phase III research, the DoD is investing in the maturation of Genecapture's technology towards a deployable solution. Successful completion could lead to diagnostic tools that enable rapid identification of viral versus bacterial infections directly at the point of care, such as military field hospitals or clinics. This capability is crucial for timely and appropriate treatment decisions, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing the spread of infections. The ultimate impact hinges on the successful transition from R&D to a validated, reliable, and potentially manufacturable diagnostic product.

How does the 'full and open competition' award mechanism influence the potential value and innovation for this DoD contract?

The 'full and open competition' award mechanism is designed to maximize value and foster innovation by allowing any responsible source to submit an offer. This broad solicitation increases the pool of potential bidders, thereby enhancing competition. Increased competition typically drives down prices and encourages offerors to propose the most innovative and cost-effective solutions to win the contract. For this DoD contract, it suggests that multiple companies likely had the capability to develop these diagnostics, and Genecapture, Inc. was selected based on having the best overall value proposition. This process helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently and that the government benefits from the widest range of technological advancements available in the market.

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 › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 601 GENOME WAY STE 3023, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,541,420

Exercised Options: $3,492,904

Current Obligation: $3,492,904

Actual Outlays: $978,407

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline