NIAID awards $57.7M for HIV/Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Support Services to Westat, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $57,722,440 ($57.7M)
Contractor: Westat, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2011-11-15
End Date: 2017-11-14
Contract Duration: 2,191 days
Daily Burn Rate: $26.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NIAID HIV AND OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES CLINICAL RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES (CRSS)
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $57.7 million to WESTAT, INC. for work described as: NIAID HIV AND OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES CLINICAL RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES (CRSS) Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control but requires careful monitoring. 3. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is a critical sector for public health. 4. The duration of the contract (2191 days) suggests a long-term need for these specialized research support services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $57.7M over approximately 6 years for specialized research support services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale clinical research support contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition suggests a robust price discovery process. Multiple bids were likely considered, driving competitive pricing for the services.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical public health research, aiming for efficient allocation through competitive bidding.
Public Impact
Supports vital research into HIV and other infectious diseases, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treatment and prevention. Ensures continuity and quality in clinical research operations, crucial for public health initiatives. The contract's success contributes to the NIH's mission of advancing scientific knowledge and improving health outcomes.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- The specific performance metrics and quality assurance mechanisms are not detailed, posing a potential risk to service quality.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market for these services.
- The contract supports critical public health research, aligning with national priorities.
- Long contract duration indicates a stable and reliable partnership for ongoing research needs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Life Sciences, a sector vital for public health advancements. Spending in this area is often driven by government priorities and the need for specialized expertise.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or subcontracted.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is likely managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within HHS. The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates diligent financial oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and fixed fees are justified.
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 the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
- No indication of small business subcontracting opportunities.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical research support services over a long period.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $57.7 million to WESTAT, INC.. NIAID HIV AND OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES CLINICAL RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES (CRSS)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTAT, 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 $57.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-11-15. End: 2017-11-14.
What specific research areas within HIV and infectious diseases are prioritized under this contract?
The contract likely supports a broad range of research activities related to HIV and other infectious diseases, as determined by NIAID's strategic research priorities. This could include basic science, clinical trials, epidemiology, and development of new diagnostics or therapeutics. Specific priorities would be detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW) and subsequent task orders issued under the contract.
How effectively does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure incentivize Westat, Inc. to manage costs efficiently for this research support?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure provides Westat with reimbursement for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. While the fixed fee incentivizes efficiency to protect profit margins, it can also lead to cost escalation if the base cost estimates are inaccurate or if scope creep occurs without adequate adjustments. Robust oversight is crucial to ensure cost reasonableness.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success and effectiveness of Westat's support services?
Key performance indicators would typically be defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and task orders. These might include metrics related to timely completion of research milestones, data quality and integrity, adherence to regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, IRB), effective project management, and successful collaboration with research investigators and sites.
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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › N – Health R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: RFPNIAIDDAIDSNIHAI2010035
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1600 RESEARCH BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $75,989,105
Exercised Options: $57,722,440
Current Obligation: $57,722,440
Actual Outlays: $-17,877
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 10
Total Subaward Amount: $4,236,620
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-11-15
Current End Date: 2017-11-14
Potential End Date: 2017-11-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-09-28
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