HHS awards $24.9M for Animal Husbandry Support Services to Alpha Omega Biotechnology Services LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,941,465 ($24.9M)
Contractor: Alpha Omega Biotechnology Services LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2009-09-21
End Date: 2015-03-23
Contract Duration: 2,009 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $24.9 million to ALPHA OMEGA BIOTECHNOLOGY SERVICES LLC for work described as: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value of $24.9M over its period of performance is substantial for specialized scientific support. 2. Alpha Omega Biotechnology Services LLC is the sole awardee, raising questions about the breadth of competition. 3. The contract's duration and specific services warrant scrutiny for potential cost efficiencies and necessity. 4. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code suggests a broad category, potentially masking specific cost drivers.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award value of $24.9M spread over approximately 6 years suggests an average annual spend of around $4.15M. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for specialized scientific support services is difficult without more granular data on the specific tasks performed.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a limited competition. This method may have restricted the pool of potential bidders, potentially impacting price discovery and overall value for money.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers received the best possible price for these essential support services.
Public Impact
Supports critical research functions within the National Institutes of Health. Ensures the continuity of animal care and husbandry, vital for biomedical research. Potential for increased costs due to limited competitive bidding. Impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of scientific research reliant on these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Lack of detailed service breakdown for cost analysis
- Long contract duration without clear performance metrics
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a single entity, potentially indicating specialized expertise
- Supports critical NIH research functions
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad sector. Spending in this area can vary widely based on the specificity of services required. The $24.9M award is significant for a single contract within this category.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the services required were likely beyond the scope or capacity of typical small business providers in this specialized field.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' designation warrants further review to ensure the exclusion of sources was justified and properly documented. Oversight should focus on performance metrics and cost justification throughout the contract's life.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may have led to higher costs.
- Lack of transparency in the exclusion of sources.
- Potential for cost overruns due to broad service category.
- Contract duration without clear performance incentives.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-health-and-human-services, nc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $24.9 million to ALPHA OMEGA BIOTECHNOLOGY SERVICES LLC. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALPHA OMEGA BIOTECHNOLOGY SERVICES LLC.
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 $24.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-09-21. End: 2015-03-23.
What specific animal husbandry support services were provided, and how do they align with NIH's research needs?
The contract covers 'ANIMAL HUSBANDRY SUPPORT SERVICES.' While the NAICS code is 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' the specific tasks likely include care, feeding, housing, and health monitoring of research animals. These services are fundamental to biomedical research, ensuring the welfare of animals and the integrity of experimental outcomes. The exact scope would detail the types of animals, specific care protocols, and any specialized technical support required.
What was the justification for excluding other potential sources during the competition phase?
The justification for 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' typically involves specific circumstances, such as a need for unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent requirements where only one or a limited number of sources can meet the demand. A thorough review would examine the documented rationale provided by the agency to ensure it was valid and that the exclusion did not unduly limit competition or inflate costs.
How does the per-unit cost or labor hour rate compare to industry benchmarks for similar animal husbandry support services?
Without detailed breakdowns of labor categories, hours, and specific services rendered, a precise per-unit cost benchmark is challenging. However, the total award of $24.9M over approximately six years suggests an average annual spend of over $4 million. Comparing this to industry benchmarks for specialized scientific support and animal care services would require access to detailed contract line item data and market research reports to assess if the pricing was competitive.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 15520 WOODBINE MORGAN RD, WOODBINE, MD, 21797
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $26,785,423
Exercised Options: $24,941,465
Current Obligation: $24,941,465
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-09-21
Current End Date: 2015-03-23
Potential End Date: 2015-05-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-02-07
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