HHS awards $21.2M for vaccine formulation R&D to Soligenix, Inc. under full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,224,049 ($21.2M)
Contractor: Soligenix, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2014-09-17
End Date: 2021-02-28
Contract Duration: 2,356 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF DEVELOPMENT OF VACCINE FORMULATIONS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NIAID PRIORITY PATHOGENS
Place of Performance
Location: PRINCETON, MERCER County, NEW JERSEY, 08540
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $21.2 million to SOLIGENIX, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF DEVELOPMENT OF VACCINE FORMULATIONS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NIAID PRIORITY PATHOGENS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for vaccine formulation development against NIAID priority pathogens. 2. Soligenix, Inc. is the sole awardee for this definitive contract. 3. The contract spans nearly seven years, indicating a long-term research effort. 4. The sector is R&D, specifically focusing on life sciences and biotechnology.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking CPFF contracts in R&D is challenging due to unique project scopes.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific pricing discovery mechanisms are not detailed, making it difficult to assess optimal price realization.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical vaccine research, with potential long-term public health benefits. The CPFF structure requires careful oversight to ensure cost efficiency.
Public Impact
Development of vaccines against priority pathogens could significantly enhance public health preparedness. Investment in R&D for novel vaccine formulations supports national biodefense and pandemic response capabilities. The long duration of the contract suggests a complex and potentially high-impact research undertaking.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs.
- Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep and cost escalation.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess progress.
- Small business participation is not indicated.
Positive Signals
- Focus on NIAID priority pathogens addresses critical public health threats.
- Full and open competition suggests potential for competitive pricing.
- Definitive contract provides a clear framework for research execution.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically focusing on vaccine development. Spending in this area is crucial for national health security and is often characterized by long-term, high-risk, high-reward projects.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there is no direct small business participation evident from this award alone. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontractors were utilized.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a reputable agency with established oversight mechanisms for research grants and contracts. However, the CPFF structure necessitates vigilant monitoring of costs and progress to ensure accountability.
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
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Long contract duration (nearly 7 years).
- Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data.
- No indication of small business subcontracting.
- Potential for cost overruns without rigorous oversight.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, nj, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $21.2 million to SOLIGENIX, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF DEVELOPMENT OF VACCINE FORMULATIONS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NIAID PRIORITY PATHOGENS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SOLIGENIX, 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 $21.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-09-17. End: 2021-02-28.
What specific NIAID priority pathogens are targeted by these vaccine formulations, and what is the projected timeline for achieving efficacy milestones?
The specific NIAID priority pathogens are not detailed in the provided data. However, NIAID typically prioritizes pathogens posing significant public health threats, such as influenza, HIV, and emerging infectious diseases like coronaviruses. The projected timeline for efficacy milestones would be outlined in the contract's statement of work and performance metrics, requiring further review of contract documentation.
How does the fixed fee component of this CPFF contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar R&D projects, and what is the rationale for this specific fee structure?
Determining the 'fixed fee' benchmark for a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract in R&D is complex due to the highly variable nature of research projects. The rationale for the fee structure would likely be tied to the perceived risk, complexity, and duration of the vaccine development effort. A higher fee might be justified for higher-risk, innovative research, while a lower fee could be expected for more established development paths.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and deliverables for this contract, and how will their achievement be measured to ensure effective use of taxpayer funds?
Key performance indicators and deliverables are not explicitly stated in the provided summary data. Typically, for vaccine R&D contracts, KPIs would include milestones related to preclinical testing, formulation stability, immunogenicity, and potentially early-stage clinical trial data. Effective use of funds would be measured against the achievement of these defined milestones and adherence to the contract's technical requirements and budget.
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: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 29 EMMONS DR STE C10, PRINCETON, NJ, 08540
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,224,049
Exercised Options: $21,224,049
Current Obligation: $21,224,049
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-09-17
Current End Date: 2021-02-28
Potential End Date: 2021-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-01-03
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