DoD awards $10.6M for Lassa Fever antiviral research to Primimmune Therapeutics
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,627,895 ($10.6M)
Contractor: Primmune Therapeutics, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-01-30
End Date: 2026-03-31
Contract Duration: 791 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ORAL BROAD SPECTRUM ANTIVIRAL TLR7 AGONIST FOR TREATMENT OF LASSA FEVER
Place of Performance
Location: CARLSBAD, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92008
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $10.6 million to PRIMMUNE THERAPEUTICS, INC. for work described as: ORAL BROAD SPECTRUM ANTIVIRAL TLR7 AGONIST FOR TREATMENT OF LASSA FEVER Key points: 1. Contract focuses on developing an oral broad-spectrum antiviral for Lassa Fever. 2. Research and Development sector, specifically life sciences, is a critical area for biodefense. 3. The contract duration of approximately two years suggests a focused research phase. 4. Primimmune Therapeutics is the sole awardee, indicating a specific capability match. 5. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) is common for R&D where costs can be uncertain. 6. Geographic focus on California for this R&D effort.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $10.6 million for a two-year R&D effort in a specialized area like antiviral development appears within a reasonable range for this type of work. Benchmarking against similar contracts for novel drug development or biodefense research would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of costs to ensure efficiency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple offerors had the opportunity to bid. However, the data indicates only one award was made, which could imply that while competition was open, only one offeror met the specific technical and capability requirements for this specialized research. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery, but the ultimate outcome depends on the number of proposals received and evaluated.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a wider pool of potential contractors to submit proposals, potentially leading to more competitive pricing and innovative solutions. Even with a single award, the initial competitive process helps ensure the government explored various options.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and potentially public health organizations through the development of a critical medical countermeasure. The service delivered is advanced research and development for a novel antiviral treatment. The geographic impact is primarily within California, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include specialized scientific and research personnel employed by Primimmune Therapeutics.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee R&D contracts.
- Uncertainty in research outcomes for novel drug development.
- Dependence on a single contractor for this specific research objective.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical biodefense need for Lassa Fever treatment.
- Utilizes a competitive process to select the best offeror.
- Focuses on developing an oral, broad-spectrum antiviral, which offers significant advantages.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences and medical countermeasures. The market for biodefense research is highly specialized, often involving a limited number of firms with the requisite expertise and facilities. Government funding plays a crucial role in driving innovation in this area, particularly for threats like Lassa Fever, which may not have a large commercial market incentive for private investment.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Primimmune Therapeutics voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), a component of the Department of Defense. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, DTRA will monitor expenditures to ensure they align with the fixed fee and the overall research objectives. Transparency will be maintained through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and potentially through program reviews. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Biodefense Research Programs
- Medical Countermeasures Development
- Antiviral Drug Research
- Lassa Fever Preparedness
Risk Flags
- Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF Contract)
- Research Outcome Uncertainty
- Dependence on Single Contractor
Tags
research-and-development, department-of-defense, defense-threat-reduction-agency, california, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, antiviral, lassa-fever, biodefense, medical-countermeasures, life-sciences
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $10.6 million to PRIMMUNE THERAPEUTICS, INC.. ORAL BROAD SPECTRUM ANTIVIRAL TLR7 AGONIST FOR TREATMENT OF LASSA FEVER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PRIMMUNE THERAPEUTICS, 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 $10.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-01-30. End: 2026-03-31.
What is Primimmune Therapeutics' track record in developing antiviral treatments, particularly for viral hemorrhagic fevers?
Information regarding Primimmune Therapeutics' specific track record in developing antiviral treatments, especially for viral hemorrhagic fevers like Lassa Fever, is not detailed in the provided data. Further investigation into the company's past performance, previous government contracts, scientific publications, and clinical trial history would be necessary to assess their expertise and success rate in this specialized field. Understanding their experience with similar research phases and regulatory pathways is crucial for evaluating their capability to deliver on this contract.
How does the $10.6 million award compare to the typical cost of similar R&D contracts for novel antiviral development?
The $10.6 million award for a two-year R&D effort in developing an oral broad-spectrum antiviral for Lassa Fever needs to be benchmarked against comparable contracts. The cost of novel drug development is highly variable, influenced by the complexity of the target disease, the stage of research, and the specific scientific approach. Contracts for early-stage research (like this one, likely) can range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars. Without access to a database of similar DTRA or other agency contracts for antiviral R&D, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the amount appears to be within a plausible range for a focused, two-year research initiative by a specialized firm.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and milestones for this contract, and how will success be measured?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract. Typically, for an R&D contract of this nature, success would be measured by the achievement of specific research objectives, such as demonstrating the efficacy of the oral antiviral in preclinical models, characterizing its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, and assessing its safety profile. Milestones might include the completion of specific research phases, the delivery of research reports, and the development of a viable drug candidate formulation. The contracting officer and technical monitors from DTRA would be responsible for overseeing progress against these defined metrics.
What is the historical spending pattern for Lassa Fever research and development by the Department of Defense or DTRA?
Historical spending data for Lassa Fever research and development by the Department of Defense or DTRA is not included in the provided contract details. To assess this, one would need to analyze historical contract databases and budget allocations related to biodefense and infectious disease countermeasures. Lassa Fever, while a significant public health concern in certain regions, may receive fluctuating levels of research funding based on perceived threats, emerging outbreaks, and strategic priorities. Understanding past investment levels can provide context for the current $10.6 million award and indicate trends in R&D focus.
What are the potential risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this specific R&D project?
The primary risk associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D is the potential for cost overruns. While the fixed fee provides the contractor with an incentive to control costs, the government bears the risk of covering all allowable costs incurred. For a project involving novel research, unforeseen scientific challenges or technical difficulties can lead to increased expenses beyond initial estimates. Effective oversight by the government is crucial to monitor expenditures, ensure efficiency, and prevent unnecessary costs. The CPFF structure is often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined, as is common in R&D, but it requires diligent financial management.
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: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: HDTRA117S0002
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2333 STATE STREET, SUITE 203, CARLSBAD, CA, 92008
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $22,480,552
Exercised Options: $10,627,895
Current Obligation: $10,627,895
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-01-30
Current End Date: 2026-03-31
Potential End Date: 2027-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-12
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)