HHS awards $43M for infectious disease research to Leidos Biomedical Research Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,075,091 ($43.1M)

Contractor: Leidos Biomedical Research Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2017-09-29

End Date: 2022-09-28

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF EBOLA VIRUS AND OTHER EMERGING&RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Place of Performance

Location: FREDERICK, FREDERICK County, MARYLAND, 21702

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $43.1 million to LEIDOS BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF EBOLA VIRUS AND OTHER EMERGING&RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized research services. 2. Leidos Biomedical Research Inc. is a key player in this niche. 3. Potential risk associated with single-source awards for critical research. 4. Spending falls within the Facilities Support Services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility in research but requires careful monitoring of costs to ensure value. Benchmarking against similar large-scale research support contracts would be beneficial.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may not yield the best value compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in higher costs for taxpayers than if the contract had been awarded through a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Supports critical research into emerging infectious diseases, enhancing public health preparedness. Ensures continuity of vital research operations for the National Institutes of Health. Potential for innovation and breakthroughs in disease prevention and treatment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competition and potential cost savings.
  • Contract duration of five years requires ongoing performance monitoring.

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical public health research.
  • Established contractor with relevant expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Facilities Support Services, a broad category that includes a wide range of operational and maintenance support. Spending benchmarks for this specific type of specialized research support are difficult to establish due to its unique nature.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine potential SMB involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

As a sole-source award, oversight is crucial to ensure the contractor meets performance expectations and that costs remain reasonable. Regular reviews by the agency are essential for accountability.

Related Government Programs

  • Facilities Support Services
  • Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
  • National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competitive bidding
  • Potential for cost overruns in cost-plus contracts
  • Long contract duration requires sustained oversight

Tags

facilities-support-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $43.1 million to LEIDOS BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INC. IGF::OT::IGF EBOLA VIRUS AND OTHER EMERGING&RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LEIDOS BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INC.

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 $43.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-29. End: 2022-09-28.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and has it been reviewed for necessity?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of adequate competition. Without specific details on the justification provided by HHS, it's difficult to assess its validity. Regular reviews by the agency are essential to ensure such awards are truly necessary and that competitive alternatives are not overlooked, thereby safeguarding taxpayer funds.

How is the contractor's performance being monitored to ensure effective use of funds?

Effective monitoring of a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract involves rigorous tracking of direct costs, indirect costs, and the fixed fee. Key performance indicators (KPIs) related to research milestones, deliverables, and operational efficiency should be established and regularly assessed. The agency must ensure robust oversight mechanisms are in place to verify that the contractor is meeting all contractual obligations and achieving the intended research outcomes.

Are there mechanisms in place to re-evaluate competition for future contract renewals or similar needs?

While this award was sole-source, future contract actions should include a review to determine if competition is feasible. Market research should be conducted periodically to identify potential new sources or evolving capabilities. If the need persists and the current contractor remains the only viable option, the justification for sole-sourcing should be re-documented and approved.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation ServicesFacilities Support ServicesFacilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITYOPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: N01CO5240180

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 611641312)

Address: 1050 BOYLES ST, FREDERICK, MD, 21702

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $43,075,091

Exercised Options: $43,075,091

Current Obligation: $43,075,091

Actual Outlays: $7,803,578

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $18,031,933

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN261201500003I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2017-09-29

Current End Date: 2022-09-28

Potential End Date: 2022-09-28 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2022-03-14

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