DoD awards $1.29B for 614K monoclonal antibody doses from Eli Lilly

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,289,400,000 ($1.3B)

Contractor: ELI Lilly and Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-11-01

End Date: 2022-02-15

Contract Duration: 106 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.2M/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: PURCHASE OF A TOTAL OF 614,000 DOSES OF COMBINATION MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY.

Place of Performance

Location: INDIANAPOLIS, MARION County, INDIANA, 46285

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $1.29 billion to ELI LILLY AND COMPANY for work described as: PURCHASE OF A TOTAL OF 614,000 DOSES OF COMBINATION MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY. Key points: 1. Significant investment in critical pharmaceutical supplies. 2. Single awardee suggests potential for limited competition or specialized product. 3. High value contract warrants scrutiny for cost-effectiveness and market alternatives. 4. Sector: Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals, a high-demand and often high-cost area.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.29 billion for 614,000 doses equates to approximately $2,100 per dose. This pricing needs to be benchmarked against similar government and commercial contracts for monoclonal antibody treatments to assess value.

Cost Per Unit: $2,100

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 is generally expected to yield competitive pricing, though the specific nature of combination monoclonal antibodies might limit the number of capable bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process designed to secure the best possible price for essential medical supplies.

Public Impact

Ensures availability of critical medical countermeasures for national health needs. Supports the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector and associated supply chains. Potential for follow-on procurements based on demand and effectiveness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10

Warning Flags

  • High per-unit cost requires validation against market benchmarks.
  • Dependence on a single supplier for a large quantity.
  • Short delivery window may impact production capacity and pricing.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded under full and open competition.
  • Addresses a critical public health need.
  • Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls within the Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing sector, which is characterized by high R&D costs, stringent regulatory requirements, and significant market demand, especially during public health crises. Benchmarks for similar large-scale drug procurements are essential for cost evaluation.

Small Business Impact

While the primary awardee is Eli Lilly and Company, a large pharmaceutical firm, subcontracts to small businesses for raw materials, logistics, or specialized services may exist within the supply chain. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Army, under the Department of Defense, managed this procurement. Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance, delivery schedules, and adherence to the firm fixed price. Post-award audits could verify cost reasonableness.

Related Government Programs

  • Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • High per-unit cost.
  • Sole source for a large quantity.
  • Short delivery timeline.
  • Potential for price escalation in future procurements.
  • Dependence on specific manufacturing capabilities.

Tags

pharmaceutical-preparation-manufacturing, department-of-defense, in, delivery-order, billion-dollar

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $1.29 billion to ELI LILLY AND COMPANY. PURCHASE OF A TOTAL OF 614,000 DOSES OF COMBINATION MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ELI LILLY AND COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.29 billion.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-11-01. End: 2022-02-15.

What is the historical pricing trend for this specific combination monoclonal antibody, and how does this award compare?

Analyzing historical pricing data for this specific combination monoclonal antibody is crucial. This award's per-unit cost of approximately $2,100 needs to be compared against previous government contracts, commercial sales, and competitor pricing. Significant deviations could indicate market shifts, increased production costs, or potential overpricing that warrants further investigation.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on a single supplier for such a large quantity of a critical medical product?

Reliance on a single supplier for a large quantity of a critical medical product presents several risks. These include potential supply chain disruptions due to manufacturing issues, natural disasters, or geopolitical events affecting the sole manufacturer. It also limits leverage in future negotiations and could lead to price increases if demand remains high and alternatives are scarce.

How effectively does this procurement strategy ensure long-term availability and affordability of essential medical countermeasures?

This procurement strategy, while addressing immediate needs, may not guarantee long-term availability and affordability. Full and open competition is positive, but the single award for a large quantity might not incentivize multiple manufacturers to maintain production capacity. Future strategies could involve diversifying suppliers or using longer-term agreements to ensure sustained access at competitive prices.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingPharmaceutical and Medicine ManufacturingPharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL/DENTAL/VETERINARY EQPT/SUPP

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 LILLY CORPORATE CTR, INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 46285

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: $1,289,400,000

Exercised Options: $1,289,400,000

Current Obligation: $1,289,400,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W911QY21D0012

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2021-11-01

Current End Date: 2022-02-15

Potential End Date: 2022-12-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2022-06-28

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