DoD awards $3.6M for novel antibody-antibiotic conjugate to combat melioidosis and plague

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,606,593 ($3.6M)

Contractor: Ministry of Defence

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-06-10

End Date: 2027-06-09

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: GENERATION OF A NOVEL ANTIBODY-ANTIBIOTIC CONJUGATE AS A COMBINATION THERAPY PLATFORM TO TREAT MELIOIDOSIS OR PLAGUE.

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $3.6 million to MINISTRY OF DEFENCE for work described as: GENERATION OF A NOVEL ANTIBODY-ANTIBIOTIC CONJUGATE AS A COMBINATION THERAPY PLATFORM TO TREAT MELIOIDOSIS OR PLAGUE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on innovative R&D for biodefense applications. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust market for this specialized research. 3. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) is common for R&D where costs are uncertain. 4. Performance period of approximately three years allows for significant research progress. 5. This award aligns with national biodefense priorities to counter infectious disease threats. 6. The specific research area is biotechnology, indicating a focus on advanced scientific solutions.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.6 million for a three-year R&D effort in biotechnology appears reasonable. While direct comparisons for novel antibody-antibiotic conjugates are difficult due to the cutting-edge nature of the research, the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) allows for flexibility in research expenses while providing a fixed fee for the contractor's effort. Benchmarking against similar advanced biodefense research contracts suggests this award is within an expected range for the scope and duration.

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 contractors had the opportunity to bid. This level of competition is ideal for ensuring that the government receives the best value and innovative solutions. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive process that likely drove pricing and technical proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and a wider array of innovative approaches to address critical national security needs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are national security and public health, through the development of new treatments for dangerous diseases. Services delivered include advanced research and development in biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences. The geographic impact is national, focusing on biodefense capabilities, with potential global implications for disease control. Workforce implications include highly skilled jobs in scientific research, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in R&D projects if not closely managed.
Uncertainty in research outcomes, as novel therapies may not prove effective.
Dependence on specific scientific expertise, which could be a bottleneck.

Positive Signals

Focus on a critical biodefense capability addresses a significant national security threat.
The use of a novel conjugate platform suggests a potentially more effective therapeutic approach.
Awarding to a single entity for this specific R&D phase allows for focused development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Biotechnology Research and Development sector, a rapidly evolving field focused on leveraging biological processes for therapeutic and industrial applications. The market for biodefense research is driven by national security imperatives and the need to counter emerging infectious disease threats. Comparable spending benchmarks in this niche area are difficult to establish precisely due to the novelty, but R&D contracts of this magnitude are typical for developing advanced medical countermeasures.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of advanced biotechnology research, it is common for such contracts to be awarded to larger, established research institutions or companies with the necessary expertise and infrastructure. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, but it is possible that opportunities may arise if the prime contractor engages specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), which is responsible for overseeing biodefense research programs. Accountability measures will be tied to research milestones and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through reporting requirements and potential public disclosures of research findings, though specific details may be limited due to the sensitive nature of biodefense research.

Related Government Programs

Biodefense Advanced Research Projects
Infectious Disease Countermeasures
Antibiotic Resistance Research
Biotechnology Research and Development
Medical Countermeasures Development

Risk Flags

Research and Development Uncertainty
Potential for Cost Overruns
Technical Feasibility Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $3.6 million to MINISTRY OF DEFENCE. GENERATION OF A NOVEL ANTIBODY-ANTIBIOTIC CONJUGATE AS A COMBINATION THERAPY PLATFORM TO TREAT MELIOIDOSIS OR PLAGUE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MINISTRY OF DEFENCE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-10. End: 2027-06-09.

What is the specific scientific novelty of the antibody-antibiotic conjugate platform?

The novelty of the antibody-antibiotic conjugate platform lies in its dual-action mechanism. By linking a specific antibody that targets a particular pathogen (like those causing melioidosis or plague) directly to an antibiotic, the therapy aims to deliver a high concentration of the antibiotic precisely to the site of infection. This targeted delivery can potentially increase efficacy, reduce systemic toxicity associated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, and overcome resistance mechanisms. The research will focus on optimizing the conjugation chemistry, ensuring stability, and demonstrating the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of these novel conjugates against specific bacterial targets relevant to melioidosis and plague.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type influence the value for money?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is common for research and development efforts where the scope of work and associated costs can be uncertain. In this structure, the government reimburses the contractor for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing the contractor's profit. This structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently, as the fee remains constant regardless of the final cost. For value for money, it's crucial that the government has robust oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable, and that the fixed fee is competitive for the level of risk and effort involved. While it offers flexibility for R&D, it carries a higher risk of cost overrun compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed diligently.

What are the primary risks associated with this R&D contract?

The primary risks associated with this R&D contract are technical and programmatic. Technically, the core risk is that the novel antibody-antibiotic conjugate platform may not prove to be effective against the target pathogens (melioidosis or plague) in preclinical or clinical studies. This could be due to issues with conjugation stability, antibody specificity, antibiotic potency, or the development of resistance. Programmatically, there's a risk of schedule delays due to unforeseen research challenges, difficulties in scaling up production, or regulatory hurdles. Cost overruns are also a risk, particularly in R&D where outcomes are not guaranteed, although the CPFF structure aims to manage this by reimbursing actual costs.

What is the historical spending pattern for research into melioidosis and plague countermeasures by the DoD?

The Department of Defense (DoD) has a consistent historical spending pattern directed towards biodefense and countermeasures against infectious diseases, including those like melioidosis and plague, which are considered potential biothreat agents. Funding for such research is often channeled through agencies like the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). While specific figures for melioidosis and plague countermeasures fluctuate annually based on threat assessments and research priorities, the overall investment in advanced medical countermeasures and novel therapeutic platforms has been substantial and sustained over the past decade, reflecting the ongoing need to address biological threats.

How does this contract contribute to the broader goal of combating antibiotic resistance?

This contract contributes to combating antibiotic resistance by exploring a novel therapeutic approach that could potentially circumvent existing resistance mechanisms. Traditional antibiotics face increasing challenges from resistant bacterial strains. By developing an antibody-antibiotic conjugate, the research aims to enhance the targeted delivery and efficacy of antibiotics, potentially allowing for lower doses or more effective treatment even against strains that have developed some level of resistance. Furthermore, by developing new platforms for combination therapies, it diversifies the arsenal available against bacterial infections, reducing reliance on single-agent antibiotics that are more prone to resistance development.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)

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

Solicitation ID: HDTRA114S0001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: D S T L ROOM 1, BUILDING 352 D S T L POTON DOWN, SALISBURY

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,415,743

Exercised Options: $5,630,591

Current Obligation: $3,606,593

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline