Department of Health and Human Services Awarded a Contract to INTERNATIONAL AIDS VACCINE INITIATIVE INC. for $364,553,934.00

Summary of Award

The JSON response from usaspending.gov details a significant Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract awarded by the U.S. federal government to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative Inc. (IAVI). The contract has a potential total value of approximately $364.5 million, with an overarching goal to provide support for the preclinical and translational development of promising vaccines and related products, primarily targeting HIV and other candidate agents.

**Recipient Overview:**

The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative Inc., headquartered in New York City, is the designated recipient of this contract. IAVI is a nonprofit organization that operates in the field of HIV vaccine research and development. The organization is recognized for its collaborative approach to accelerate the development of affordable and globally accessible vaccines and related products. As a corporate entity with tax-exempt status, IAVI is not considered a small business, but rather a large nonprofit organization with a focus on scientific advancement and public health. The organization's address is listed as 125 Broad Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10004. Given its location in New York's bustling scientific and academic community, IAVI is well-positioned to collaborate with universities, research institutes, and biotechnology firms to fulfill its contractual obligations. **Contract Details:** The contract is classified under the "Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity" category, which provides the government with flexibility regarding the quantities and timing of deliveries. Described as "IDV_B_B" and detailed further as a "COST PLUS FIXED FEE" type, this pricing structure indicates that IAVI will be reimbursed for all legitimate expenses related to the contract alongside a fixed fee, ensuring that both risk and profit are managed alongside controllable costs. The contract spans from December 1, 2021, to November 30, 2028, with the latest modification and updates occurring on November 30, 2021. It was awarded through full and open competition, as evidenced by nine offers received and the designation of "FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION" for the extent of competition. **Purpose and Specifics:** The primary objective is to provide the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) — a subdivision of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — with the strategic capabilities required for the development of vaccines related to HIV and other diseases. The program acronym "DAIDS" and major program "PRECLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL VACCINE DEVELOPMENT FOR HIV AND OTHER CANDIDATE AGENTS (PTVDS)" highlight the focus areas of this initiative. The contract does not specify a set-aside for small businesses, indicating the program's broad scope and necessity for a well-established organization like IAVI to handle its demands. Furthermore, the contractual work falls under the NAICS classification "Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)," emphasizing an emphasis on translational research, which bridges initial scientific discoveries and practical applications in vaccine development. **Key Specifications and Analysis:** - **Agency Involvement**: The NIH and specifically its NIAID office are both the funding and awarding agency, illustrating a streamlined and coordinated federal effort towards this major health initiative. This alignment under the HHS umbrella emphasizes federal prioritization of comprehensive research in disease prevention and management. - **Regulatory Aspects**: The contract does not employ commercial item acquisition procedures, suggesting bespoke research services and solutions tailored specifically for governmental needs. Additionally, there are no labor standards, construction wage rates, or materials and supplies cost concerns highlighted, aligning with the research-focused nature of the work. - **Scope and Flexibility**: The absence of obligations and outlays recorded indicates that, as of the data's update, funds had not yet been disbursed, which is not uncommon in the early stages of ID/IQ contracts. This flexibility allows for engagement based on programmatic needs and scientific milestones rather than fixed deliverables. - **Strategic Significance**: The health R&D services listed include applied research focused on health care services, pertinent to national and global public health interests, particularly in the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS. This positions the contract strategically not only as a healthcare initiative but also reinforces U.S. leadership in global health innovation. **Conclusion:** This substantial contract with IAVI underscores a robust commitment by the U.S. government to advance research and development in vaccine technologies, specifically targeting the pressing challenge of HIV/AIDS. Positioned at the crossroads of public health policy and scientific innovation, this contract's success could pave the way for breakthroughs with significant global impact. The collaboration between a prominent nonprofit and the NIH amplifies the potential for advancements that could transform vaccine development trajectories and respond to urgent public health needs.