HHS Awards $173M Clinical Research Support Contract to Technical Resources International, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $173,338,870 ($173.3M)
Contractor: Technical Resources International, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2017-04-17
End Date: 2024-04-16
Contract Duration: 2,556 days
Daily Burn Rate: $67.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF CLINICAL RESEARCH OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (CROMS).
Place of Performance
Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20817
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $173.3 million to TECHNICAL RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF CLINICAL RESEARCH OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (CROMS). Key points: 1. Contract value of $173.3M over 7 years. 2. Competition was full and open, indicating market availability. 3. Risk is moderate due to cost-plus-fixed-fee structure. 4. Sector is R&D, specifically clinical research operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency. Benchmarking against similar CROMS contracts would provide further insight into its value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to secure fair pricing, maximizing taxpayer value for essential clinical research support services.
Public Impact
Supports critical clinical research operations for NIH. Ensures continuity of vital scientific endeavors. Impacts patient care through advancement of medical knowledge.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 67 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee can lead to cost overruns if not managed.
- Long contract duration requires ongoing performance monitoring.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition ensures market responsiveness.
- Supports critical R&D mission of NIH.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the R&D sector, specifically focusing on clinical research operations and management. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing medical science and public health initiatives.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation and its impact.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's duration and cost-plus-fixed-fee nature necessitate robust oversight from HHS and NIH to ensure performance standards are met and costs remain controlled.
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 (7 years).
- Potential for scope creep.
- Need for robust performance monitoring.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $173.3 million to TECHNICAL RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF CLINICAL RESEARCH OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (CROMS).
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 $173.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-04-17. End: 2024-04-16.
What is the specific breakdown of costs within the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, and how does it compare to industry standards for similar services?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure includes direct costs, indirect costs, and a fixed fee. Without detailed financial reporting, a precise breakdown is unavailable. However, CPFF contracts are common in R&D where scope can evolve. Benchmarking the fixed fee percentage against similar NIH or other agency contracts for CROMS would reveal if it aligns with industry norms or suggests potential overpayment.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how has Technical Resources International, Inc. performed against them?
Key performance indicators for clinical research support typically include timely data collection, adherence to regulatory compliance (e.g., FDA, ICH-GCP), participant recruitment rates, and accurate reporting. Performance against these KPIs is crucial for ensuring the integrity and success of NIH-funded research. Regular performance reviews and quality assurance checks by the government are essential to monitor contractor effectiveness.
How does the $173M contract value compare to the total NIH budget for clinical research operations and management support over the contract period?
The $173.3 million contract represents a significant investment in clinical research operations. To assess its proportion, it needs to be compared against the total NIH budget allocated for CROMS during the 2017-2024 period. This comparison would indicate the contract's relative importance and the extent to which NIH relies on external support for its research infrastructure.
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: RFPNIAIDDMIDNIHAI2015043
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
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: $179,680,684
Exercised Options: $173,338,870
Current Obligation: $173,338,870
Actual Outlays: $72,675,834
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-04-17
Current End Date: 2024-04-16
Potential End Date: 2024-04-16 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-22
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