DOI Spends $25.6M on Accelerated Vaccine Creation and Testing with Sanofi Pasteur Vaxdesign Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,605,839 ($25.6M)
Contractor: Sanofi Pasteur Vaxdesign Corp
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2004-09-29
End Date: 2009-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,735 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ACCELERATED VACCINE CREATION AND TESTING
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, ORANGE County, FLORIDA, 32826
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $25.6 million to SANOFI PASTEUR VAXDESIGN CORP for work described as: ACCELERATED VACCINE CREATION AND TESTING Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical R&D in vaccine development. 2. Competition involved exclusion of sources, raising potential price discovery concerns. 3. Significant investment in a specialized scientific sector. 4. Contract duration of over 4 years indicates a complex project.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $25.6M over nearly 5 years for R&D is difficult to benchmark without specific project milestones. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a limited initial competition. This method may have impacted the government's ability to secure the most competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed towards advanced research, which could yield public health benefits, but the limited competition raises questions about optimal resource allocation.
Public Impact
Accelerates development of potentially life-saving vaccines. Supports scientific innovation and research capabilities within the US. Investment in biosecurity and public health preparedness.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may have inflated costs.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract requires diligent oversight to control spending.
- Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep or changing needs.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical need for rapid vaccine development.
- Invests in advanced scientific research and development.
- Potential for significant public health benefits.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (NAICS 541710). Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but can be complex to manage due to the inherent uncertainties in R&D.
Small Business Impact
No indication of small business involvement in this contract. The specialized nature of vaccine research may favor larger, established entities.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause warrants scrutiny to ensure the justification for limiting competition was sound and that proper oversight was in place to manage costs and performance.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Departmental Offices Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about price fairness.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require vigilant oversight to prevent cost overruns.
- Long contract duration increases susceptibility to scope creep and changing requirements.
- Lack of transparency regarding the exclusion of sources.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-the-interior, fl, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $25.6 million to SANOFI PASTEUR VAXDESIGN CORP. ACCELERATED VACCINE CREATION AND TESTING
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SANOFI PASTEUR VAXDESIGN CORP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $25.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-09-29. End: 2009-06-30.
What specific milestones or deliverables were defined to justify the fixed fee and ensure value for money in this R&D contract?
The contract details do not specify the exact milestones or deliverables tied to the fixed fee. For Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, the fixed fee is negotiated upfront and represents the contractor's profit. It's crucial that the agency clearly defined project scope, objectives, and performance metrics to ensure the fee was commensurate with the expected effort and risk, and that rigorous oversight was maintained throughout the contract's duration to track progress and manage costs effectively.
How was the exclusion of sources justified, and what steps were taken to mitigate potential risks to fair pricing?
The justification for excluding sources is not provided in the data. Typically, such exclusions require a strong rationale, such as proprietary technology or urgent need. To mitigate pricing risks, the agency should have conducted thorough market research, negotiated aggressively, and implemented robust cost monitoring. Without this information, it's difficult to assess if the government secured a fair price or if alternative sources could have offered better value.
What is the expected long-term impact of this accelerated vaccine research on public health preparedness and the broader scientific community?
This contract aims to expedite vaccine creation and testing, potentially enhancing national preparedness for health crises and contributing to the advancement of vaccine technology. The research could lead to breakthroughs applicable to various diseases, fostering innovation and strengthening the scientific infrastructure. The ultimate impact depends on the success of the research and the subsequent translation of findings into deployable solutions.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2721 DISCOVERY DRIVE, SUITE 400, ORLANDO, FL, 32826
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,605,839
Exercised Options: $25,605,839
Current Obligation: $25,605,839
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-09-29
Current End Date: 2009-06-30
Potential End Date: 2009-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-05-16
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