NIH awards $13M contract for adjuvant lead pipeline, with 6 bidders and a 2008 completion

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,954,005 ($13.0M)

Contractor: Novascreen Biosciences Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2003-12-30

End Date: 2009-06-29

Contract Duration: 2,008 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ESTABLISH A PIPELINE OF NEW ADJUVANT LEADS

Place of Performance

Location: HANOVER, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 21076

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $13.0 million to NOVASCREEN BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION for work described as: ESTABLISH A PIPELINE OF NEW ADJUVANT LEADS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in life sciences. 2. Competition was full and open, indicating a robust bidding process. 3. The contract duration was approximately 5.75 years. 4. The contract type was Cost No Fee, focusing on research objectives. 5. The agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a key research funder. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541710 for R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of approximately $13 million over nearly six years suggests a moderate investment in establishing an adjuvant lead pipeline. Without specific performance metrics or deliverables, it is difficult to definitively benchmark value for money. However, the Cost No Fee contract type implies that the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs, with no fee, which can sometimes indicate a focus on achieving research goals rather than profit maximization. Comparing this to similar R&D contracts for lead discovery would provide a clearer picture of its cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, with six bidders participating. This level of competition is generally positive as it suggests that multiple entities were interested and capable of performing the required research. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative approaches. The presence of six bidders indicates that the market for this type of research is sufficiently developed.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, full and open competition with multiple bidders generally leads to better value by driving down costs and encouraging innovation. It ensures that the government is not locked into a single provider and can leverage the best available solutions at a competitive price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely researchers and the broader scientific community who will gain access to new adjuvant leads. The services delivered involve the establishment of a pipeline for identifying and developing new adjuvant compounds. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contracting agency (NIH) is located, and potentially extends to the research institutions involved. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, researchers, and support staff involved in the R&D process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to assess the true value and success of the research.
Cost-reimbursement contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The duration of the contract (nearly 6 years) requires sustained oversight to ensure progress.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition with multiple bidders suggests a healthy market and potential for good value.
The focus on R&D for adjuvant leads aligns with public health goals.
The contract is with the National Institutes of Health, a reputable research funding agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences and pharmaceutical development. The market for adjuvant research is driven by the need for more effective vaccines and immunotherapies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other NIH grants and contracts awarded for early-stage drug discovery and development, particularly in immunology and vaccine research. The size of this contract is moderate for an R&D initiative of this scope.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included small business set-asides, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the nature of advanced R&D, it is possible that larger research institutions or specialized biotechnology firms were the primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had opportunities to participate either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the research milestones and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal contract databases, though specific research progress reports may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Grants
Biotechnology Research Contracts
Vaccine Development Programs
Life Sciences R&D Spending
Adjuvant Research Initiatives

Risk Flags

Contract duration is long, requiring sustained oversight.
Cost No Fee structure shifts risk to the government.
Lack of specific performance metrics hinders value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $13.0 million to NOVASCREEN BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION. ESTABLISH A PIPELINE OF NEW ADJUVANT LEADS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOVASCREEN BIOSCIENCES 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 $13.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-12-30. End: 2009-06-29.

What specific types of adjuvant leads was Novascreen Biosciences Corporation tasked with identifying?

The provided data indicates the contract's objective was to 'ESTABLISH A PIPELINE OF NEW ADJUVANT LEADS.' However, it does not specify the exact types or therapeutic areas of these adjuvant leads. Adjuvants are substances that enhance the immune response to an antigen, commonly used in vaccines. Therefore, the leads could have been intended for a wide range of applications, from infectious disease vaccines to cancer immunotherapies. Further details on the specific research scope would likely be found in the contract's statement of work, which is not included in the provided data. The focus on 'pipeline' suggests an emphasis on discovery and early-stage development rather than a specific, pre-defined lead compound.

How does the $13 million award compare to typical NIH R&D contract values for similar research areas?

Benchmarking the $13 million award requires comparing it to similar contracts awarded by the NIH for early-stage R&D in life sciences, particularly in the area of immunology and adjuvant development. NIH funding for R&D can vary significantly based on project scope, duration, and the stage of research. Contracts for basic research or early discovery phases, like establishing a lead pipeline, might range from a few hundred thousand to several million dollars annually. A nearly six-year contract totaling $13 million averages around $2.2 million per year. This figure appears moderate for a sustained R&D effort within a specialized area like adjuvant discovery, especially considering the overhead and personnel costs associated with scientific research. However, without specific details on the deliverables and the competitive landscape at the time of award, a precise comparison is challenging.

What were the key performance indicators or milestones for this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract. As a 'Cost No Fee' contract focused on establishing a pipeline, the performance would likely be evaluated based on the successful identification, characterization, and documentation of potential adjuvant leads. Milestones might have included the number of leads identified, the results of preliminary screening assays, the development of standardized protocols for lead evaluation, and the submission of progress reports. The absence of specific KPIs in the summary data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's performance objectively. Detailed information would typically be found in the contract's statement of work and any associated performance work statements.

What is the significance of the 'Cost No Fee' contract type in this context?

The 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type is significant because it means the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred in performing the contract, but receives no additional profit or fee. This type of contract is often used for research and development efforts where the scope of work may be uncertain, or when the government wants to incentivize the contractor to focus on achieving specific research objectives rather than maximizing profit. For the NIH, using a CNF contract for establishing an adjuvant lead pipeline suggests a priority on scientific advancement and the exploration of novel compounds. It shifts the financial risk more towards the government, as they bear the full cost of the research, but it can also foster a collaborative environment focused on discovery.

What is Novascreen Biosciences Corporation's track record with NIH or similar agencies?

Information regarding Novascreen Biosciences Corporation's specific track record with the NIH or similar agencies is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past contract awards, performance history, and any reported successes or failures on government contracts. A search of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) could reveal other contracts awarded to Novascreen, their value, duration, and the agencies involved. Understanding their history in R&D, particularly in the life sciences and immunology sectors, would provide context for their capability to fulfill this $13 million contract for establishing an adjuvant lead pipeline.

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 › N – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Revvity Inc (UEI: 001053610)

Address: 7170 STANDARD DR, HANOVER, MD, 21076

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,117,835

Exercised Options: $12,954,005

Current Obligation: $12,954,005

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline