NIH Spends $16.2M on Rhesus Monkey Breeding and Maintenance with Charles River Laboratories
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,253,983 ($16.3M)
Contractor: Charles River Laboratories, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2018-03-27
End Date: 2023-12-15
Contract Duration: 2,089 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF BREED AND MAINTAIN FREE-RANGING MACACA MULATTA (RHESUS) MONKEYS
Place of Performance
Location: GERMANTOWN, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20874
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $16.3 million to CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF BREED AND MAINTAIN FREE-RANGING MACACA MULATTA (RHESUS) MONKEYS Key points: 1. Significant contract value highlights the ongoing need for primate research models. 2. Charles River Laboratories is a major player in this specialized research support sector. 3. Potential risks include reliance on a single supplier and ethical considerations of animal research. 4. Spending falls within the 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Benchmarking against similar primate research contracts is difficult due to the specialized nature of the services.
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 long duration and specialized nature of the service may limit the number of viable bidders.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting critical biomedical research, but the long-term nature and T&M pricing warrant careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness.
Public Impact
Supports vital biomedical research for disease understanding and treatment development. Ensures a consistent supply of research animals for scientific studies. Potential for public scrutiny regarding animal welfare and research ethics. Contract duration indicates a long-term commitment to this research area.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 77 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration
- Time and Materials pricing
- Reliance on specialized service provider
Positive Signals
- Supports critical research
- Full and open competition awarded
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, specifically related to biological research support. Spending in this sub-sector can vary widely based on research priorities and funding cycles.
Small Business Impact
The contract does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The specialized nature of primate breeding and maintenance typically favors larger, established research support companies.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's long duration and T&M pricing necessitate robust oversight from NIH to ensure adherence to scope, quality, and cost controls. Regular performance reviews and audits are crucial.
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 T&M pricing
- Long contract duration may reduce flexibility
- Limited competition for highly specialized services
- Ethical considerations of animal research
- Dependence on a single contractor
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, 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 $16.3 million to CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF BREED AND MAINTAIN FREE-RANGING MACACA MULATTA (RHESUS) MONKEYS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES, 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 $16.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-03-27. End: 2023-12-15.
What is the projected cost per monkey over the contract's lifespan, and how does this compare to industry benchmarks?
The provided data does not detail the cost per monkey. The total contract value is $16.2 million over approximately 5.7 years. Without specific unit cost data or industry benchmarks for rhesus monkey breeding and maintenance, a precise comparison is not possible. Further analysis would require detailed breakdowns of the Time and Materials costs.
What are the primary risks associated with relying on Charles River Laboratories for this critical research resource?
Key risks include potential supply chain disruptions if Charles River faces operational issues, price increases due to the Time and Materials structure, and a lack of alternative suppliers in the short term. Dependence on a single entity also raises concerns about long-term cost control and potential monopolistic pricing.
How effectively does this contract contribute to NIH's overall research mission and public health goals?
This contract directly supports NIH's mission by providing essential animal models for biomedical research, which is crucial for understanding diseases and developing treatments. The consistent availability of these primates enables critical studies that could lead to significant public health advancements.
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
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NIHAO201700077
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.
Address: 251 BALLARDVALE ST, WILMINGTON, MA, 01887
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $30,206,444
Exercised Options: $16,253,983
Current Obligation: $16,253,983
Actual Outlays: $5,571,475
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-03-27
Current End Date: 2023-12-15
Potential End Date: 2023-12-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-18
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