HHS awards $30.2M contract to First Light Diagnostics for In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $30,210,480 ($30.2M)
Contractor: First Light Diagnostics, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2015-09-30
End Date: 2023-11-30
Contract Duration: 2,983 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF FIRST LIGHT BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Place of Performance
Location: CHELMSFORD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01824
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $30.2 million to FIRST LIGHT DIAGNOSTICS, INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF FIRST LIGHT BIOSCIENCES, INC. Key points: 1. The contract value of $30.2M is significant for specialized diagnostic manufacturing. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of nearly 3 years presents a moderate risk of cost overruns or performance issues. 4. The sector is Healthcare, specifically diagnostic substance manufacturing, which is critical for public health.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to higher costs than fixed-price contracts if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized diagnostic manufacturing is difficult without more specific cost data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical healthcare infrastructure, with the expectation of value for money through competitive bidding.
Public Impact
Ensures availability of essential diagnostic substances for public health initiatives. Supports the healthcare sector by providing necessary manufacturing capabilities. The contract's duration may impact the long-term availability and cost of these diagnostic substances.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Long contract duration (2983 days)
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Awarded by a key health agency (HHS)
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically the manufacturing of in-vitro diagnostic substances. Spending in this area is crucial for public health preparedness and response, with typical contract values varying widely based on the complexity and scale of the product.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within HHS, an agency responsible for public health emergencies. Oversight would focus on performance, cost control, and adherence to contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure
- Long contract duration may lead to performance degradation or obsolescence
- Lack of specific detail on the diagnostic substances manufactured
- No clear indication of small business participation
Tags
in-vitro-diagnostic-substance-manufactur, department-of-health-and-human-services, ma, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $30.2 million to FIRST LIGHT DIAGNOSTICS, INC.. IGF::CT::IGF FIRST LIGHT BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FIRST LIGHT DIAGNOSTICS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $30.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-09-30. End: 2023-11-30.
What specific diagnostic substances are being manufactured under this contract and what is their criticality to public health?
The specific diagnostic substances are not detailed in the provided data. However, given the awarding agency (ASPR), it is likely these substances are critical for disease detection, surveillance, or response efforts. Understanding their exact nature would clarify the public health impact and justify the contract's value.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure impact the government's ability to control costs for these specialized diagnostic substances?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure allows the contractor to recover allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. While the fee provides an incentive for efficiency, the government bears the risk of cost overruns. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable, and that the fixed fee remains appropriate throughout the contract's life.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract and how is performance being measured to ensure effectiveness?
Key performance indicators are not specified in the provided data. Typically, for manufacturing contracts, KPIs would include on-time delivery, quality control metrics (e.g., defect rates), adherence to specifications, and production volume. The ASPR would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs to ensure the contractor is meeting its obligations effectively.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing › In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing
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: BAA13100SOL00013
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2 OMNI WAY, CHELMSFORD, MA, 01824
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $41,408,149
Exercised Options: $41,408,149
Current Obligation: $30,210,480
Actual Outlays: $2,362,479
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-09-30
Current End Date: 2023-11-30
Potential End Date: 2023-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-12
Other Department of Health and Human Services Contracts
- Contact Center Operations (CCO) — $5.5B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- TAS::75 0849::TAS Oper of Govt R&D Goco Facilities — $4.8B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Provide the Full Complement of Services Necessary to Care for UC in ORR Custody Including Facilities Set-Up, Maintenance, and Support Internal and Perimeter (IF Applicable) Security, Direct Care and Supervision Inc — $3.5B (Rapid Deployment Inc)
- Contact Center Operations — $2.6B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- Federal Contract — $2.4B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
View all Department of Health and Human Services contracts →