NIH awards $10.3M contract to Georgetown University for tobacco use behavior and toxin exposure research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,276,123 ($10.3M)

Contractor: Georgetown University

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2006-09-15

End Date: 2011-09-14

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: LABORATORY ASSESSMENT OF TOBACCO USE BEHAVIOR AND EXPOSURE TO TOXINS AMONG USERS OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20057

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $10.3 million to GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY for work described as: LABORATORY ASSESSMENT OF TOBACCO USE BEHAVIOR AND EXPOSURE TO TOXINS AMONG USERS OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research into tobacco use and toxin exposure, aligning with public health goals. 2. Georgetown University, a known research institution, is the contractor. 3. The contract duration is 5 years, suggesting a sustained research effort. 4. The contract type is a Definitive Contract, indicating a firm commitment. 5. The funding agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a primary source for health research. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541710 points to Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 7. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $10.3 million over five years for a research project of this scope appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar NIH-funded research grants for behavioral and toxicological studies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the specialized nature of the research and the contractor's likely expertise, the pricing is presumed to be competitive within the academic research sector.

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 bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This process typically leads to a more competitive pricing structure and ensures that the most capable contractor is selected. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific research area.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure the best value for public funds allocated to critical health research.

Public Impact

The research aims to benefit public health by understanding tobacco use behaviors and toxin exposure. Findings could inform public health policies and interventions related to smoking cessation and harm reduction. The research is conducted in the District of Columbia, potentially involving local populations. The project supports scientific research and development, contributing to the knowledge base in health sciences. The project may involve researchers, technicians, and support staff, contributing to the scientific workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for research findings to be misinterpreted or misapplied in public health messaging.
Long-term impact of toxin exposure research may require significant follow-up studies.
Ensuring data privacy and ethical considerations in human subject research is paramount.

Positive Signals

Focus on a critical public health issue with significant societal implications.
Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair selection process.
Georgetown University has a strong reputation in research, indicating potential for high-quality outcomes.
The five-year duration allows for in-depth study and comprehensive data collection.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Health and Social Assistance sector, specifically focusing on research and development related to public health. The market for such research is driven by government funding, primarily through agencies like NIH. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other grants and contracts awarded by NIH and similar bodies for epidemiological, toxicological, and behavioral health research. The size of this contract is moderate for a multi-year research initiative.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides. As a research and development contract awarded to a large university, the primary focus is on scientific expertise rather than small business participation. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but could potentially arise for specialized services if needed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the awarding agency. NIH program officers and contracting officers are responsible for monitoring the contractor's progress, adherence to the research plan, and financial accountability. The contract's performance would be assessed against milestones and deliverables outlined in the award. Transparency is generally maintained through public research publications and NIH reporting mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

National Institutes of Health Research Grants
Tobacco Control Research Programs
Public Health Research Initiatives
Toxicology Studies
Behavioral Health Research

Risk Flags

Research Scope Complexity
Participant Recruitment Challenges
Data Interpretation Nuances
Ethical Compliance Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $10.3 million to GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY. LABORATORY ASSESSMENT OF TOBACCO USE BEHAVIOR AND EXPOSURE TO TOXINS AMONG USERS OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY.

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 $10.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-09-15. End: 2011-09-14.

What is Georgetown University's track record with NIH contracts?

Georgetown University has a significant history of receiving research grants and contracts from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As a major research institution, it consistently secures funding across various scientific disciplines. Specific to tobacco use and toxicology, Georgetown has been involved in numerous studies, often collaborating with other institutions. A detailed review of NIH's contract database would reveal the volume and scope of their past awards, demonstrating their established capacity and experience in managing federally funded research projects. Their consistent funding suggests a strong track record of meeting NIH's research objectives and compliance requirements.

How does the $10.3 million value compare to similar NIH research contracts?

The $10.3 million value for a five-year research project on tobacco use behavior and toxin exposure is within a typical range for significant NIH-funded initiatives. NIH grants and contracts for complex, multi-disciplinary research, especially those involving human subjects, long-term data collection, and advanced laboratory analysis, can easily reach several million dollars. For instance, large-scale epidemiological studies or clinical trials funded by NIH often exceed this amount. Benchmarking against specific NIH solicitations (RFAs or PA announcements) for similar research areas would provide a more precise comparison. However, without access to a comprehensive database of all awarded contracts and their specific scopes, this figure appears consistent with substantial, multi-year research endeavors in the life and physical sciences.

What are the primary risks associated with this research contract?

Key risks associated with this research contract include potential challenges in participant recruitment and retention for studies involving tobacco use, which can impact data completeness and generalizability. There's also a risk related to the complexity of accurately measuring toxin exposure and attributing health outcomes solely to tobacco products, given confounding lifestyle factors. Furthermore, ethical considerations and data privacy for human subjects are critical; breaches or non-compliance could lead to significant reputational and legal consequences. Finally, the scientific validity of the research itself carries inherent risks, such as unexpected results or difficulties in achieving stated objectives, which could impact the utility of the findings for public health policy.

How effective is NIH in overseeing research contracts of this nature?

The NIH employs a multi-layered oversight system for research contracts, generally considered effective. This includes rigorous peer review of proposals, stringent requirements for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for human subjects research, and ongoing monitoring by program officials and grants management specialists. Regular progress reports, financial reviews, and site visits (if applicable) are standard. The agency also has mechanisms for addressing non-compliance or research misconduct. While no system is foolproof, NIH's extensive experience and dedicated resources in managing complex scientific endeavors suggest a high degree of effectiveness in overseeing contracts like this one, ensuring scientific integrity and responsible use of funds.

What has been the historical spending pattern for tobacco-related research by NIH?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has consistently allocated substantial funding towards tobacco-related research over many years, reflecting its commitment to reducing the burden of tobacco use on public health. Spending patterns have evolved, shifting from a primary focus on the immediate health consequences of smoking to include research on novel tobacco products (like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products), addiction mechanisms, cessation strategies, and the impact of environmental exposures. Funding is distributed across various NIH institutes, with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) often being major contributors. Overall, NIH's historical spending demonstrates a sustained and significant investment in understanding and combating tobacco use.

What are the potential public health implications if the research yields significant findings?

If the research yields significant findings, the public health implications could be substantial. For instance, identifying specific toxins or understanding behavioral triggers more deeply could lead to more targeted prevention campaigns and more effective cessation programs. If novel exposure pathways are discovered, regulatory bodies might consider new policies or warnings. Conversely, if findings challenge existing assumptions about tobacco use or harm, it could necessitate a re-evaluation of current public health strategies. Ultimately, well-conducted research provides the evidence base needed to inform policy, guide clinical practice, and improve population health outcomes related to tobacco use.

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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 37TH & O STS NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20057

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $71,020,007

Exercised Options: $59,103,602

Current Obligation: $10,276,123

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline