In Vitro Antimicrobial Assessments 2011-2018

The National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded a Master IDIQ on June 1, 2011, for in vitro antimicrobial assay development and testing services to support infectious disease therapeutics research, with ordering authority closed on May 31, 2018. This vehicle is no longer accepting new task orders.

Over seven years, NIAID issued 111 delivery orders under the IDIQ, with peak activity in 2014–2016 (15–19 orders annually) and declining volume in 2017–2018 (9 orders each year). The combined potential value of all task orders reached $28.8 million, with $27.3 million (95%) obligated by the close of the ordering period. Task orders ranged widely in scope and value, from nominal test runs under $200 to large-scale screening panels exceeding $1 million, with firm fixed-price predominating. Representative 2017–2018 orders include comprehensive viral screening panels (ceiling values from roughly $100,000 to $845,000), in vitro antimicrobial activity assessments (single tests, $40,000–$400,000 range), and Carb-X program antimicrobial resistance testing (roughly $220,000–$350,000 per order).

Five research institutions captured 78% of task-order count and 86% of combined potential value: University of Alabama at Birmingham held the largest share by dollar value at $8 million across 12 orders; Utah State University received $6 million across 22 orders; Southern Research Institute earned $5.6 million across 28 orders (the highest count); Georgetown University and Access To Advanced Health Institute rounded out the top tier. The remaining nine primes (Colorado State University, Oklahoma State University, ATCC, Infectious Disease Research Institute, and others) shared the remainder, indicating moderate concentration with meaningful activity below the top five.

All 111 task orders carried unrestricted (no set-aside) designations. Approximately 107 of 111 orders funded NIAID programs directly, with the balance supporting the NIH Office of the Director. Work encompassed bacterial antimicrobial susceptibility testing (MIC determination for gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis pathogens), viral screening (respiratory viruses, Ebola, enteroviruses, comprehensive panels), antifungal and antimycobacterial assays, and data management infrastructure customization. The vehicle is now closed and historical only for research reference.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' (NIAID) Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) has a requirement for developing and providing in vitro assays in order to advance the development of therapeutics for infectious diseases. Because of this, the DMID has awarded a Master IDIQ for the provision of services and resources for: advancing science by promoting cross-fertilization across and within disciplines and approaches; serving the research community more conveniently; achieving efficient use of resources through economy of scale and avoidance of duplication; and providing the flexibility needed to respond to changing priorities.