NIH awards $20.8M for Bioinformatics Resource Centers, supporting biodefense research and development

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,785,749 ($20.8M)

Contractor: University of Notre Dame DU LAC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2004-06-30

End Date: 2009-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,010 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 27

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: BIOINFORMATICS RESOURCE CENTERS FOR BIODEFENSE

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $20.8 million to UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME DU LAC for work described as: BIOINFORMATICS RESOURCE CENTERS FOR BIODEFENSE Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in critical biodefense research infrastructure. 2. The award to a single academic institution suggests a specialized need or established expertise. 3. Long-term contract duration indicates a sustained commitment to the program's objectives. 4. Performance context is tied to national biodefense initiatives, requiring robust scientific output. 5. Sector positioning is within the life sciences R&D, focusing on bioinformatics for biodefense applications.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $20.8 million over its period of performance (2004-2009) appears reasonable for establishing and maintaining specialized bioinformatics resource centers. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D infrastructure grants from NIH would provide further context, but the funding level suggests a substantial commitment to a critical research area. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type indicates that the government reimburses allowable costs, which is typical for research and development where precise costs can be difficult to predict upfront.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified organizations had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 27 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and a competitive process. This broad competition likely contributed to achieving a fair price and ensuring that the most capable entity was selected for this specialized research support.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and innovative solutions, ensuring federal funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Benefits researchers and institutions involved in biodefense and infectious disease research by providing essential bioinformatics tools and expertise. Delivers critical data analysis, computational support, and resource development for national biodefense strategies. Geographic impact is national, supporting research efforts across the United States. Workforce implications include supporting highly skilled bioinformaticians, computational biologists, and researchers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the chosen platform becomes the sole standard.
Risk of cost overruns if research needs evolve beyond initial projections.

Positive Signals

Strong competition indicates a robust market for these specialized services.
Long-term contract allows for sustained development and integration of resources.
Focus on biodefense aligns with critical national security and public health priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically focusing on bioinformatics applications for biodefense. The market for specialized bioinformatics services and infrastructure is growing, driven by advances in genomics, proteomics, and the need for rapid response to biological threats. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large NIH grants for research infrastructure and specialized centers.

Small Business Impact

While this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions, the prime contractor, the University of Notre Dame, may engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. The nature of specialized bioinformatics research often involves collaboration with niche technology providers, some of which could be small businesses. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to fully assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. Accountability measures would be tied to the achievement of research milestones, delivery of bioinformatics resources, and adherence to budget. Transparency is generally maintained through public reporting of research outcomes and contract awards, though specific internal oversight mechanisms are not detailed here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) programs
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) initiatives
National Library of Medicine (NLM) bioinformatics resources
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) biodefense research

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may pose risks in a rapidly evolving scientific field.
Cost-reimbursement contract type requires diligent oversight to manage expenditures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $20.8 million to UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME DU LAC. BIOINFORMATICS RESOURCE CENTERS FOR BIODEFENSE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME DU LAC.

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 $20.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-06-30. End: 2009-12-31.

What is the track record of the University of Notre Dame in managing large-scale federal research grants, particularly in bioinformatics?

The University of Notre Dame has a history of managing significant federal research grants across various scientific disciplines, including those funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Their involvement in large-scale projects like the Bioinformatics Resource Centers for Biodefense indicates a capacity for managing complex research infrastructure and interdisciplinary teams. While specific details on their bioinformatics grant management performance require deeper investigation into NIH's grant databases and performance reports, their selection as a prime awardee for a substantial contract suggests a demonstrated capability. This includes managing budgets, meeting reporting requirements, and achieving research objectives within the scope of federally funded projects. Further analysis would involve examining their success rates on similar grants and any documented performance issues or commendations.

How does the $20.8 million award compare to other NIH investments in bioinformatics infrastructure?

The $20.8 million awarded to the University of Notre Dame for Bioinformatics Resource Centers for Biodefense represents a significant, but not unprecedented, investment by the NIH in specialized research infrastructure. NIH frequently awards large grants, often in the tens of millions, for centers of excellence, research core facilities, and large-scale data initiatives. For instance, other NIH institutes fund large genomics centers, high-performance computing resources, and data repositories that can involve similar or greater funding levels over their lifecycles. The specific nature of 'biodefense' might also influence funding priorities and amounts compared to broader biomedical research areas. A direct comparison would require analyzing the scope, duration, and specific deliverables of other comparable NIH bioinformatics infrastructure awards.

What are the primary risks associated with a long-term (2004-2009) 'COST NO FEE' contract for bioinformatics research?

A primary risk with a long-term 'COST NO FEE' contract in a rapidly evolving field like bioinformatics is the potential for cost escalation if research needs or technological advancements outpace initial budget projections. Since the government reimburses allowable costs, there's a risk that actual expenditures could significantly exceed the initial estimated value, especially if the scope of work expands or unforeseen technical challenges arise. Another risk is ensuring continued relevance and effectiveness of the resources developed over the contract's duration, as the field progresses quickly. Ensuring the contractor maintains high performance and adapts to new scientific demands without substantial cost increases requires robust oversight and clear performance metrics. The 'NO FEE' aspect means the contractor does not receive a profit margin, which could potentially impact motivation for efficiency, though this is often mitigated by the academic institution's mission-driven goals.

How effective are Bioinformatics Resource Centers in advancing biodefense research and preparedness?

Bioinformatics Resource Centers are crucial for advancing biodefense research and preparedness by providing essential computational tools, databases, and analytical expertise. They enable researchers to process and interpret vast amounts of biological data generated from pathogen sequencing, genomic studies, and epidemiological surveillance. This accelerates the identification of threats, understanding of disease mechanisms, and development of countermeasures like vaccines and therapeutics. By centralizing resources and expertise, these centers reduce redundancy and foster collaboration among researchers nationwide. Their effectiveness is measured by the accessibility and utility of the resources they provide, the impact of the research they support, and their contribution to rapid response capabilities during public health emergencies. The sustained funding for such centers underscores their perceived value in bolstering national biodefense capabilities.

What historical spending patterns exist for NIH's bioinformatics and biodefense-related research programs?

The NIH has consistently invested in bioinformatics and biodefense research, reflecting the agency's mandate to protect public health. Historical spending patterns show a gradual increase in funding for bioinformatics infrastructure, data science, and computational biology over the past two decades, driven by technological advancements and growing data volumes. Biodefense funding, often managed through specific institutes like NIAID and BARDA, also sees significant investment, particularly in response to emerging threats. The establishment of dedicated resource centers, like the one awarded here, is part of a broader strategy to build and sustain the necessary scientific capacity. Analyzing NIH's overall budget allocations and specific program solicitations over time would reveal trends in prioritizing these critical research areas and the mechanisms used for funding, such as large center grants, individual investigator awards, and contract vehicles.

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 › Community and Regional Development R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation ID: NIHNIAIDDMID0434

Offers Received: 27

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Contractor Details

Address: 511 MAIN BUILDING, NOTRE DAME, IN, 46556

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,353,148

Exercised Options: $27,559,263

Current Obligation: $20,785,749

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline