NIH Awards $11.9M for Biomedical Research to University of Texas Medical Branch

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,890,300 ($11.9M)

Contractor: University of Texas Medical Branch AT Galveston

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2004-09-30

End Date: 2010-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,191 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 28

Pricing Type: ORDER DEPENDENT (IDV ONLY)

Sector: R&D

Official Description: BIOMEDICAL (APPLIED/EXPLORATORY)

Place of Performance

Location: GALVESTON, GALVESTON County, TEXAS, 77555

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $11.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON for work described as: BIOMEDICAL (APPLIED/EXPLORATORY) Key points: 1. Significant funding awarded for applied/exploratory biomedical research. 2. Competition method was 'Competitive Delivery Order', indicating some market engagement. 3. Risk is moderate due to the long duration (6 years) and potential for scope creep. 4. The sector is R&D, a critical area for national advancement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $11.9M over 6 years averages to approximately $2M per year. Without specific deliverables or benchmarks, it's difficult to assess value. The 'ORDER DEPENDENT (IDV ONLY)' suggests the true value is tied to future task orders.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER'. While competitive, the 'ORDER DEPENDENT (IDV ONLY)' nature implies the primary contract vehicle might have had limited competition, impacting price discovery for the overall IDV.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting critical biomedical research, with potential long-term benefits. The value for money depends on the successful outcomes of the research.

Public Impact

Supports advancements in biomedical science, potentially leading to new treatments or understanding of diseases. Funding allocated to a major research institution, fostering academic and scientific growth. The long-term nature of the award allows for sustained research efforts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (6 years) increases risk of cost overruns or changing research needs.
'ORDER DEPENDENT (IDV ONLY)' pricing model can obscure true total cost.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.

Positive Signals

Funding a key research area (Biomedical).
Awarded to a reputable institution (University of Texas Medical Branch).
Competitive award mechanism, suggesting some level of market vetting.

Sector Analysis

This award falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Biomedical R&D is a significant area of federal investment, often characterized by long project timelines and high potential impact.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific delivery order. The primary awardee is a large academic institution.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through periodic reviews and milestone assessments. The long duration necessitates consistent monitoring to ensure research objectives are met and funds are used appropriately.

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

Long contract duration (6 years).
Potential for cost escalation due to 'ORDER DEPENDENT' pricing.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
Limited information on the competitive landscape of the IDV.
Research outcomes are inherently uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $11.9 million to UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON. BIOMEDICAL (APPLIED/EXPLORATORY)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON.

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 $11.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-09-30. End: 2010-09-30.

What specific research outcomes are expected from this $11.9M award, and how will they be measured?

The specific research outcomes are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, for biomedical R&D contracts, outcomes are defined by scientific milestones, publications, patent applications, or the development of new methodologies. Measurement would involve peer review, progress reports submitted to NIH, and potentially external expert panels assessing the research's advancement towards its stated goals.

What is the risk associated with the 'ORDER DEPENDENT (IDV ONLY)' pricing structure for taxpayers?

The 'ORDER DEPENDENT (IDV ONLY)' structure means the total cost is not fixed upfront but depends on the specific task orders issued against the contract. This poses a risk of the total expenditure exceeding initial estimates if numerous or high-value orders are placed. It can also complicate budget forecasting and make it harder to ascertain the overall value for money compared to a fixed-price contract.

How effective is the 'Competitive Delivery Order' mechanism in ensuring fair pricing for long-term R&D projects?

A 'Competitive Delivery Order' implies that multiple vendors were considered or competed for this specific order under an existing Indefinite Delivery Vehicle (IDV). This can be effective in achieving fair pricing for that particular order. However, the overall effectiveness for long-term R&D depends on the competitiveness of the underlying IDV and whether the competition for individual orders truly drives down costs or simply selects the best technical approach at a given price.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Offers Received: 28

Pricing Type: ORDER DEPENDENT (IDV ONLY) (1)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: University of Texas System (UEI: 042000273)

Address: 301 UNIVERSITY BLVD, GALVESTON, TX, 14

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Hospital, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $80,000,000

Exercised Options: $11,890,300

Current Obligation: $11,890,300

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN266200400097I

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline