1. NIH RESEARCH CONTRACTS
Erin Flynn Pacifico
Division of Acquisition Policy & Evaluation OAMP/NIH

2. NIH Research Contracts
What are they?
How do you find out about them?
How are successful offerors selected?
Should you try to get a contract?

3. Research Project Grants and R&D Contracts at the NIH
FY 2012 NIH Spending in Billions of Dollars

4. NIH FY 2012 ACQUISITIONS $4.67 B
Shows dollars in millions and percentages of total dollars.

5. NIH FY 2011 ACQUISITIONS $5.17 B
Shows dollars in millions and percentages of total dollars.

6. NIH FY Decrease

7. NIH FY 2011 ACQUISITIONS $2.52 B, R&D CONTRACTS
Shows dollars in millions and percentages of total dollars.

8. NIH FY 2012 ACQUISITIONS $1.7 B R&D CONTRACTS
Shows Dollars in Millions and percentages of total dollars.

9. Contracts: What Are They?
Contracts are mutually binding legal relationships obligating the seller to furnish supplies or services and the buyer to pay for them.
Contracts are subject to protests, claims, and terminations for default or convenience.

10. Contracts: What Are They?
Not a grant or a cooperative agreement.
Used when the primary purpose is to acquire goods or services for the direct use or benefit of the Government.
Greater Government control/direction of project.

11. Contracts: What Are They?
Usually result from the Government’s acceptance of a solicited offer. Can be competitive or sole source.
Government-initiated Statement of Work.

12. What Else? Contracting Processes
1. Sealed bidding – involves competitive bids, public opening of bids, and award
2. Contracting by negotiation
Most R&D projects will be negotiated

13. What Else? Types of Contracts
1. Fixed-price- agreement to deliver supplies/services at the time specified for a price that cannot be changed
2. Cost-reimbursement- used when uncertainties exist such that cost of performance cannot be estimated with sufficient reasonableness to use a fixed-price contract
Most R&D projects are cost-reimbursement

14. Similarities to Grants
Peer review of concepts and proposals including use of Scientific Review Officers
Team Approach to Contract Management
Contracting Officer/Contract Specialist and Project Officer (PO/COTR)

15. Similarities to Grants
Required compliance with regulations and policies, such as animal welfare, human subjects protection, fiscal management and administrative compliance
Submission of invoices and technical progress reports

16. Differences between Contracts and Grants
Federal Acquisition Regulation, Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation, NIH acquisition policies
Subject to public policy initiatives and social and economic programs

17. Differences between Contracts and Grants
Will likely involve negotiations and opportunity to submit revised proposals after negotiations are concluded
Proposals are evaluated against technical evaluation criteria created for that project

18. Sample Technical Evaluation Criteria
1. Technical Approach - 35 Points
Methods and procedures for executing the requirements
2. Feasibility of Accomplishing the Requirements- 30 Points
Includes recommended approach for resolution of major difficulties and problem areas

19. Sample Technical Evaluation Criteria
3. Qualifications and Availability of Proposed Scientific and Management Staff - 25 Points
Leadership and Management Structure; Scientific and Technical Staff; Subcontractors

20. Sample Technical Evaluation Criteria
4. Facilities and Resources - 10 Points
Documented availability and adequacy of facilities, equipment, and resources

21. R&D Examples
NINDS-RFI-NS (RFI): Drug Manufacturing and Formulation Services for Neurotherapeutics
HHSN C (sources sought): Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode

22. R&D Examples
NIH-NICHD-CDBPM (presol): Newborn Screening Translational Research Network
HHS-NIH-NIDA(AG)-RFP (solicitation): Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) Home Visits Program

23. How Do I Find Out About Contracts?
Proposed contract actions exceeding $25,000 are published in the Federal Business Opportunities

25. NIH RFPs http://oamp.od.nih.gov/

26. How Do I Find Out About Contracts?
NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts
Electronic Guide to NIH Acquisition

28. Should You Try to Get an NIH Contract?
Preparing a proposal requires individual and institutional resources.
You must realistically assess your chances of winning a contract.

29. Should You Try to Get an NIH Contract?
Carefully read the Request for Proposal that interests you. It contains all the information needed to prepare a proposal.
Will you be able to convince peer reviewers that you understand the problem and have a sound approach?

30. Should You Try to Get an NIH Contract?
How would your personnel, especially key personnel, rate in an evaluation?
How would your facilities score?
If you are not successful, request a debriefing from the CO to find out why you were not selected for award and to get information that will help you compete in the future.

31. Additional Information
The NIH Contracts Page contains a link to “A Guide to the NIH Acquisition Process” and other information.
A link to the FAR

32. Questions?