HHS awards $22.8M for Schizophrenia Research, highlighting R&D in Life Sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,849,872 ($22.8M)
Contractor: THE Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2009-07-13
End Date: 2017-12-20
Contract Duration: 3,082 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TAS::75 0907::TAS RECOVERY ACT - (RAISE) RECOVERY AFTER INITIAL SCHIZOPHRENIA EPISODE ARRA::YES::ARRA
Place of Performance
Location: MANHASSET, NASSAU County, NEW YORK, 11030
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $22.8 million to THE FEINSTEIN INSTITUTES FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH for work described as: TAS::75 0907::TAS RECOVERY ACT - (RAISE) RECOVERY AFTER INITIAL SCHIZOPHRENIA EPISODE ARRA::YES::ARRA Key points: 1. Significant investment in a critical health research area. 2. Competition method indicates a potentially broad market. 3. Long contract duration (3082 days) warrants monitoring. 4. Focus on R&D aligns with national scientific priorities.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is 'COST NO FEE', which can lead to higher costs as the contractor bears no financial risk. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables and comparable projects.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the 'COST NO FEE' contract type may not incentivize cost efficiency.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed towards potentially high-impact medical research, but the cost-plus nature of the contract requires careful oversight to ensure value.
Public Impact
Advances understanding and treatment of schizophrenia. Supports scientific innovation and medical breakthroughs. Potential for long-term public health benefits. Investment in research infrastructure and expertise.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus contract type without fee.
- Long contract duration.
- Lack of small business participation.
Positive Signals
- Focus on critical medical research.
- Full and open competition.
- Significant funding amount.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but can be subject to long timelines and uncertain outcomes.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed or if the nature of the research precluded small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'COST NO FEE' contract type necessitates strong oversight from HHS/NIH to ensure that expenditures are reasonable and directly related to the research objectives. Performance monitoring is critical.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to 'COST NO FEE' structure.
- Lack of clear financial incentive for contractor efficiency.
- Long contract duration may lead to scope creep or outdated research.
- No reported small business participation.
- Limited transparency on specific research outcomes and value.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, ny, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $22.8 million to THE FEINSTEIN INSTITUTES FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH. TAS::75 0907::TAS RECOVERY ACT - (RAISE) RECOVERY AFTER INITIAL SCHIZOPHRENIA EPISODE ARRA::YES::ARRA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE FEINSTEIN INSTITUTES FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH.
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 $22.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-07-13. End: 2017-12-20.
What specific research milestones were achieved, and how do they align with the initial objectives given the 'COST NO FEE' structure?
The 'COST NO FEE' structure implies the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs but receives no additional profit. This suggests the primary incentive is mission accomplishment rather than financial gain. Evaluating milestones against the original proposal and any subsequent modifications is key to assessing value. Without specific deliverable data, it's hard to quantify the direct return on investment beyond the scientific advancement itself.
Given the long duration and cost-reimbursement nature, what mechanisms were in place to mitigate cost overruns and ensure continued relevance of the research?
Effective oversight would involve regular reviews of expenditures, progress reports, and potential adjustments to research direction based on emerging scientific findings. The absence of a fee might reduce contractor incentive for efficiency, making robust government monitoring of costs and progress essential. Periodic re-evaluation of the research scope against evolving scientific understanding would ensure continued relevance and prevent wasted resources.
How does the scientific output from this $22.8 million investment compare to similar R&D investments in schizophrenia research funded through other mechanisms?
A comprehensive comparison would require analyzing publications, patents, clinical trial outcomes, and potential therapeutic developments stemming from this contract against benchmarks from other grants and contracts. Factors like the specific research questions addressed, the methodologies employed, and the duration of the research period would need to be considered. Assessing the impact relative to funding levels is crucial for determining overall effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - CONSTRUCTION
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NIMH08DS0009
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 350 COMMUNITY DR 4TH FL, MANHASSET, NY, 11030
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $32,963,880
Exercised Options: $22,849,872
Current Obligation: $22,849,872
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-07-13
Current End Date: 2017-12-20
Potential End Date: 2017-12-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-05-28
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