NIAID awards $63M for R&D support, facing full and open competition after source exclusion

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $63,007,767 ($63.0M)

Contractor: Technical Resources International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2010-04-15

End Date: 2017-04-14

Contract Duration: 2,556 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TAS::75 0885::TAS NIAID/DIVISION OF AIDS REGULATORY SUPPORT CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20817

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $63.0 million to TECHNICAL RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: TAS::75 0885::TAS NIAID/DIVISION OF AIDS REGULATORY SUPPORT CENTER Key points: 1. Spending spans 7 years, indicating a long-term need for regulatory support. 2. The contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) incentivizes performance but can lead to higher costs. 3. Exclusion of sources in a full and open competition raises questions about initial vendor selection. 4. The R&D sector is broad, making direct cost comparisons challenging without more detail.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for performance incentives but lacks a fixed price, making direct cost comparison difficult. The total award of $63M over 7 years suggests a significant investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. This method aims for broad participation but the exclusion suggests specific reasons for limiting initial bidders, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for research and development support services, with the final cost influenced by performance incentives and the initial competitive process.

Public Impact

Supports critical research and development activities within the National Institutes of Health. Ensures regulatory compliance and support for vital scientific endeavors. The long duration suggests a sustained need for these specialized services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
Exclusion of sources may limit competition and potentially inflate prices.
Lack of specific deliverables makes it hard to assess value for money.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition ensures a broad base of potential contractors.
Performance incentives aim to drive high-quality service delivery.
Long contract duration provides stability for critical support functions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (NAICS 541720). Spending in this sector can vary widely based on project scope and duration. The $63M award over 7 years is substantial for specialized support services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the awardee is TECHNICAL RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL, INC., a large business. There is no indication of small business participation or subcontracting in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the National Institutes of Health, a component of HHS. Oversight would involve monitoring performance against award fee criteria and ensuring compliance with contract terms. The exclusion of sources warrants scrutiny.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to higher costs.
Exclusion of sources may indicate limited competition.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Long contract duration increases exposure to potential inefficiencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $63.0 million to TECHNICAL RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL, INC.. TAS::75 0885::TAS NIAID/DIVISION OF AIDS REGULATORY SUPPORT CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TECHNICAL RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL, 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 $63.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-04-15. End: 2017-04-14.

What specific regulatory support services were provided, and how did they directly contribute to the success of NIAID's research programs?

The contract aimed to provide regulatory support for NIAID's Division of AIDS. This likely included assistance with regulatory submissions, compliance monitoring, and data management for clinical trials and research protocols. The effectiveness would be measured by NIAID's ability to advance its research agenda without regulatory roadblocks and the quality of data supporting its findings.

What were the specific reasons for excluding certain sources during the full and open competition, and did this exclusion impact the final negotiated price?

Excluding sources in a full and open competition typically occurs when only a limited number of vendors possess the unique capabilities or clearances required. The specific reasons need to be documented and justified. This exclusion could potentially limit price competition, leading to a higher price than if all potential vendors had participated.

How was the 'award fee' component structured, and what metrics were used to determine the contractor's performance and justify the awarded amounts?

The award fee structure likely involved pre-defined performance objectives and metrics related to the quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of the regulatory support. The government would evaluate the contractor's performance against these metrics, and a portion of the fee would be awarded based on that assessment. Understanding these metrics is crucial for evaluating the value received.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6500 ROCK SPRING DR, BETHESDA, MD, 20817

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $63,007,767

Exercised Options: $63,007,767

Current Obligation: $63,007,767

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline