HHS awards $10.2M for Molecular Epidemiology Assay Support to BioReliance Corporation over 9 years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,232,691 ($10.2M)
Contractor: Bioreliance Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2005-02-01
End Date: 2014-07-18
Contract Duration: 3,454 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY ASSAY SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $10.2 million to BIORELIANCE CORPORATION for work described as: MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY ASSAY SUPPORT Key points: 1. Spending spans nearly a decade, indicating long-term support needs. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 3. The primary sector is Research and Development, suggesting specialized scientific services. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's duration and cost-plus-fixed-fee structure warrant scrutiny for potential cost efficiencies. Benchmarking against similar R&D support contracts is difficult without more granular data on specific services provided.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the long duration and cost-plus-fixed-fee nature may have limited the ultimate cost savings achievable.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers funded extensive R&D support over nine years. While competition was present, the contract type necessitates careful oversight to ensure value for money.
Public Impact
Supports critical research in molecular epidemiology, potentially advancing public health. Long contract duration suggests sustained government need for these specialized services. The award to BioReliance Corporation highlights a key player in the life sciences support sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Long contract duration (9 years) may not reflect current market efficiencies.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical R&D in public health.
- Contract has a defined end date.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences. Spending benchmarks for similar long-term assay support contracts are highly variable based on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved as subcontractors. The primary awardee, BioReliance Corporation, is a significant entity, suggesting limited direct opportunities for small businesses on this specific contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The long duration of the contract necessitates robust oversight from NIH to ensure adherence to the fixed fee and manage costs effectively. Regular performance reviews would be crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Long contract duration (9 years).
- Limited specific performance data available.
- Potential for scope creep over the contract's life.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $10.2 million to BIORELIANCE CORPORATION. MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY ASSAY SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BIORELIANCE CORPORATION.
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 $10.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-02-01. End: 2014-07-18.
What specific assay development and validation services were provided, and how do they align with current NIH research priorities?
The contract details are limited, but 'Molecular Epidemiology Assay Support' suggests services related to developing, validating, and potentially deploying assays for tracking diseases and understanding their spread. This aligns with NIH's mission to improve health by preventing and treating disease. Further details on the specific assays and their impact on research outcomes would be needed for a complete assessment.
Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure and 9-year duration, what mechanisms were in place to mitigate cost overruns and ensure optimal value?
While the contract was competitively awarded, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure inherently carries risk. Effective oversight by NIH, including rigorous review of costs, regular performance evaluations, and potentially incentive clauses for efficiency, would be critical. The fixed fee component provides some cost certainty, but the 'cost plus' element requires diligent monitoring to prevent unnecessary expenditures over the long term.
How did the competitive process ensure the best possible price and technical solution for these specialized R&D support services?
The 'full and open competition' designation indicates that multiple bidders were allowed to submit proposals, fostering a competitive environment. This process typically involves evaluating both technical merit and price. The selection of BioReliance Corporation suggests their proposal offered the best combination of technical capability and cost-effectiveness at the time of award, relative to other competing offers.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › LABORATORY TESTING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: N02CP4101350
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Cerilliant Corporation (UEI: 342249299)
Address: 14920 BROSCHART RD., ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $82,207,531
Exercised Options: $82,207,531
Current Obligation: $10,232,691
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-02-01
Current End Date: 2014-07-18
Potential End Date: 2014-07-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-09-27
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