NIH awards $17.5M for National Children's Study to UC Irvine, a 7-year research initiative

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,554,404 ($17.6M)

Contractor: University of California Irvine

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2007-09-28

End Date: 2015-08-21

Contract Duration: 2,884 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NATIONAL CHILDREN'S STUDY

Place of Performance

Location: IRVINE, ORANGE County, CALIFORNIA, 92697

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $17.6 million to UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE for work described as: NATIONAL CHILDREN'S STUDY Key points: 1. Contract awarded for a significant research initiative focused on child development and health. 2. The contract duration of nearly 8 years suggests a long-term commitment to the study's objectives. 3. The awardee, University of California Irvine, is a prominent research institution. 4. The contract type 'Cost No Fee' indicates that the government reimburses allowable costs but does not pay a fee to the contractor. 5. The geographic location in California may indicate a focus on a specific population or research site. 6. The absence of small business involvement suggests this was a large-scale research effort.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $17.5 million over approximately 7 years for a large-scale research study appears reasonable, though a direct comparison to similar multi-year, multi-site epidemiological studies is difficult without more granular data on the scope and deliverables. The 'Cost No Fee' contract type is common for research and development where the final outcome is uncertain, but it places the onus on the government to ensure cost control. Benchmarking the per-year cost against similar large-scale health research projects would provide a clearer picture of value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. With 15 bids received, this suggests a robust level of interest and a competitive environment for this research opportunity. A higher number of bids generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions, although for research contracts, the technical merit and capability of the offerors are often primary considerations.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process for this research contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down costs and encouraged the submission of high-quality proposals from various institutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are researchers and institutions involved in child health and development studies. The study aims to collect data on factors influencing children's health and well-being over time. The geographic impact is centered in California, where the primary research activities are likely conducted. The workforce implications include employment for researchers, data collectors, and administrative staff at the awardee institution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or milestones in the provided data makes it difficult to assess progress and success.
The 'Cost No Fee' structure requires diligent government oversight to manage expenditures effectively.
The long duration of the contract necessitates sustained management attention to ensure objectives remain relevant.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for the best qualified offeror.
Received 15 bids, suggesting significant interest and a competitive process.
The awardee, University of California Irvine, is a reputable research institution with a track record in scientific endeavors.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences and public health. The market for large-scale epidemiological and developmental research is characterized by a limited number of highly specialized institutions and research consortia capable of undertaking such extensive projects. Government funding is a primary driver in this sector, supporting long-term studies that may not be feasible for private entities due to high costs and uncertain returns. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large NIH grants or multi-year research initiatives in child health.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific requirement or focus for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). This is common for large-scale, specialized research and development contracts where the primary awardee is a university or research institution that possesses the necessary expertise and infrastructure. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but would likely be minimal given the nature of the work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. As a 'Cost No Fee' contract, rigorous financial oversight is crucial to ensure that all reimbursed costs are allowable, reasonable, and allocable to the contract. Performance monitoring would involve tracking research progress against established scientific objectives, though specific details on these mechanisms are not provided. Transparency would be facilitated through public reporting of research findings, as is standard for NIH-funded studies.

Related Government Programs

National Children's Study
NIH Research Grants
Epidemiological Studies
Child Health Research

Risk Flags

Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Cost-reimbursement nature necessitates strong financial controls.
Research outcomes can be inherently uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $17.6 million to UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE. NATIONAL CHILDREN'S STUDY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE.

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 $17.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-28. End: 2015-08-21.

What is the specific scientific objective of the National Children's Study funded by this contract?

The National Children's Study (NCS) was a large-scale, long-term research initiative launched by the U.S. Congress to examine the effects of environmental, social, and genetic influences on the health and development of children. The primary objective was to recruit a diverse cohort of pregnant women and follow their children from birth into early adulthood, collecting data on a wide range of health outcomes, including birth defects, developmental disabilities, asthma, obesity, and other chronic conditions. The study aimed to provide valuable insights into the causes of various health issues and inform public health policies and interventions. The contract with the University of California Irvine would have supported specific research activities, data collection, or analysis related to these overarching goals.

How does the $17.5 million award compare to other large-scale R&D contracts in the life sciences sector?

The $17.5 million award over approximately seven years for the National Children's Study represents an average annual expenditure of roughly $2.5 million. This figure is substantial but falls within the range of large federal research grants and contracts awarded to major universities and research institutions. For instance, other significant NIH grants for multi-site clinical trials or large cohort studies can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually. The total value is moderate when compared to the largest federal R&D contracts, which can reach hundreds of millions or even billions, particularly in areas like defense or aerospace. However, for a specific research project focused on child development, this funding level is significant and indicative of the project's scope and importance.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'Cost No Fee' contract for a long-term research project?

A 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract, while common in R&D where outcomes are uncertain, carries specific risks. For the government, the primary risk is the potential for cost overruns without a fixed profit incentive for the contractor to control expenses. The government bears the risk of reimbursing all allowable costs, even if the project does not achieve its desired outcomes. This necessitates robust government oversight to scrutinize costs, ensure efficiency, and verify that expenditures are reasonable and directly related to the research objectives. For the contractor, the risk lies in not receiving any profit margin, which can reduce the incentive to innovate or go beyond the minimum requirements. However, for academic institutions, the primary motivation is often the research itself and the advancement of knowledge, rather than profit.

What is the track record of the University of California Irvine in managing large federal research grants?

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) is a major public research university with a well-established track record of securing and managing significant federal research funding. UCI consistently ranks among the top universities for federal research expenditures, particularly in areas supported by agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Department of Energy (DOE). Its research portfolio spans numerous disciplines, including health sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities. UCI has experience managing large, multi-year grants and complex research projects, often involving multiple departments, collaborators, and extensive data collection and analysis. Therefore, it is generally considered a capable institution for undertaking a project like the National Children's Study.

How has federal spending on child health research evolved over the period of this contract (2007-2015)?

Federal spending on child health research, primarily through agencies like the NIH, has generally seen fluctuations but maintained a significant presence during the 2007-2015 period. This timeframe encompassed the Great Recession, which led to budget constraints across many federal programs, potentially impacting the growth rate of research funding. However, child health remains a priority area, with investments directed towards understanding developmental processes, environmental impacts, and disease prevention. The National Children's Study itself represented a major federal commitment. While specific year-over-year budget changes for all child health research are complex, overall federal investment in biomedical and health-related R&D remained substantial, reflecting a continued commitment to advancing scientific knowledge in this critical field.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: RFPNIHNICHDNCS0711W

Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: State of California Controllers Office (UEI: 071549000)

Address: 4199 CAMPUS DR STE 300, IRVINE, CA, 92697

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Higher Education (Minority Serving), Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,017,062

Exercised Options: $17,554,404

Current Obligation: $17,554,404

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline