NIH Awards $18.6M for Animal Care and Research Support Services to Scitech Services Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,652,284 ($18.7M)

Contractor: Scitech Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2017-09-01

End Date: 2022-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF : BASE AWARD. ANIMAL CARE AND RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES. POP: SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 - MAY 31, 2018. N02DA-17-9916.

Place of Performance

Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21224

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $18.7 million to SCITECH SERVICES INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF : BASE AWARD. ANIMAL CARE AND RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES. POP: SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 - MAY 31, 2018. N02DA-17-9916. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Scitech Services Inc. for animal care and research support. 2. The contract has a duration of 5 years, ending August 31, 2022. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee. 5. The NAICS code is 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar contracts for animal care and research support services is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating a limited competition. This method may not have resulted in the most competitive pricing possible.

Taxpayer Impact: The total award amount of $18.6 million over five years represents a significant taxpayer investment in research support services.

Public Impact

Supports critical animal care and research activities at the National Institutes of Health. Ensures continuity of essential scientific support services. Potential for cost efficiencies through competitive bidding, though the method used was limited. Impact on scientific progress and medical research outcomes.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may impact cost-effectiveness.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires careful oversight to control costs.

Positive Signals

Supports vital NIH research operations.
Long-term contract ensures service continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically supporting biological research. Spending in this sector is crucial for advancing medical and scientific knowledge, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific services and research intensity.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or prime contractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's oversight will be managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the National Institutes of Health. The 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' structure necessitates robust financial oversight to ensure funds are used efficiently and effectively.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF contract type.
Limited competition may not yield the best value.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support services.
Need for strong oversight to ensure quality and compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $18.7 million to SCITECH SERVICES INC. IGF::OT::IGF : BASE AWARD. ANIMAL CARE AND RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES. POP: SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 - MAY 31, 2018. N02DA-17-9916.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCITECH SERVICES INC.

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 $18.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-01. End: 2022-08-31.

What specific services are included under 'Animal Care and Research Support Services' and how do they align with NIH's research priorities?

These services likely encompass a range of activities essential for animal-based research, including housing, feeding, veterinary care, health monitoring, and potentially specialized technical support for experiments. Alignment with NIH priorities would be detailed in the contract's statement of work, ensuring the support directly contributes to the agency's mission in areas like disease research, drug development, and basic biological science.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process impact the potential for cost savings compared to unrestricted full and open competition?

This method allows for open competition among all responsible sources, but it implies that certain sources were initially excluded, perhaps due to specific requirements or prior relationships. While it aims for broad participation, the exclusion of some sources might limit the pool of potential bidders, potentially leading to less aggressive pricing than a truly unrestricted competition where all possible vendors could participate without initial limitations.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will Scitech Services Inc.'s performance be measured to ensure effectiveness?

Key performance indicators would likely focus on the quality of animal care (e.g., adherence to welfare standards, health outcomes), reliability of research support (e.g., timely assistance, accuracy of technical procedures), and compliance with all regulatory and contractual requirements. Performance measurement would involve regular reviews, site visits, and feedback from NIH researchers to ensure the contractor meets or exceeds established standards.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: N02DA179916

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2129 PULASKI HWY STE 100, HAVRE DE GRACE, MD, 21078

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,020,387

Exercised Options: $18,652,284

Current Obligation: $18,652,284

Actual Outlays: $4,099,283

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline