NIH Awards $12.6M for Newborn Screening Research Network Coordinating Center to ACMG Foundation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,597,914 ($12.6M)

Contractor: Acmg Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2008-09-26

End Date: 2015-06-19

Contract Duration: 2,457 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NEWBORN SCREENING TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH NETWORK COORDINATING CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $12.6 million to ACMG FOUNDATION FOR GENETIC AND GENOMIC MEDICINE for work described as: NEWBORN SCREENING TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH NETWORK COORDINATING CENTER Key points: 1. Significant investment in a critical area of public health research. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Long contract duration (2008-2015) may indicate evolving needs or limited options. 4. Focus on R&D in life sciences, a key sector for health advancements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's 'COST NO FEE' pricing structure makes direct value assessment difficult without further details on the scope of work and actual costs incurred. Benchmarking is challenging due to the unique nature of coordinating center services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This was a sole-source award, meaning competition was not sought. This approach limits price discovery and may result in higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could mean taxpayers did not receive the best possible price for these services.

Public Impact

Enhances critical research into newborn screening, potentially improving early detection of genetic disorders. Supports the advancement of genetic and genomic medicine through coordinated research efforts. Impacts families by contributing to better health outcomes for newborns. Funds research infrastructure, enabling further scientific discoveries in a vital health sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Cost-plus pricing structure (implied by 'COST NO FEE')
Long contract duration

Positive Signals

Supports critical public health research
Focus on a high-impact scientific area

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation and public well-being, but requires careful oversight to ensure efficiency.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, suggesting a missed opportunity for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the government obtained fair value and that competition was appropriately waived. Further review of the justification for sole-sourcing is recommended.

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

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated costs due to sole-sourcing
Limited transparency on cost controls with 'COST NO FEE'
Long contract duration without clear competitive re-evaluation points
No apparent small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $12.6 million to ACMG FOUNDATION FOR GENETIC AND GENOMIC MEDICINE. NEWBORN SCREENING TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH NETWORK COORDINATING CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACMG FOUNDATION FOR GENETIC AND GENOMIC MEDICINE.

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 $12.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-26. End: 2015-06-19.

What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive approaches ever considered?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or urgent needs that only one source can fulfill. Without access to the specific contract file and its justifications, it's impossible to determine the exact reasons. However, the lack of competition inherently limits the government's ability to explore potentially more cost-effective solutions or innovative approaches that other qualified entities might offer.

How does the 'COST NO FEE' pricing structure compare to industry standards for similar coordinating center functions, and what mechanisms were in place to control costs?

The 'COST NO FEE' structure implies that the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs but does not receive a fee or profit. This is unusual for research and development contracts, which often include profit. It suggests a focus on cost recovery rather than performance incentives. Without detailed cost reports and scope of work, it's difficult to benchmark against industry standards. Robust oversight would be needed to ensure costs were reasonable and allocable.

What tangible research outcomes or advancements in newborn screening have been achieved through this $12.6 million investment over its duration?

Assessing the tangible outcomes requires reviewing the network's research publications, data repositories, and any implemented changes in newborn screening protocols directly attributable to the coordinating center's efforts. The value lies in the advancement of scientific knowledge and its translation into improved public health practices. Specific metrics on disease detection rates, research collaborations fostered, or new screening technologies developed would be necessary to fully evaluate effectiveness.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: NIHNICHDCDBPM0813

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9650 ROCKVILLE PIKE, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,098,758

Exercised Options: $21,470,475

Current Obligation: $12,597,914

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline