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Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Oversight

Announced on  | Last Modified on  | Project Number: A-03-20-03003
Status
Completed
Agency
Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response

OBJECTIVE

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) leads the Nation's medical and public health preparedness for, response to, and recovery from disasters and public health emergencies. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a part of ASPR, aids in safeguarding our Nation from pandemic influenza and emerging infectious diseases, and supports the transition of medical countermeasures, such as vaccines, from research through advanced development. Congressional FY appropriations for BARDA are made available to support advanced research and development pursuant to section 319L of the Public Health Service Act and other administrative expenses. We will review contracts awarded through the ASPR Next and BARDA Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures (DRIVe) programs which were created by ASPR to spur innovation in either the development of certain new lifesaving technologies and products or medical countermeasure efforts. We will determine whether ASPR complied with Federal requirements when awarding contracts with BARDA FY 2017 through FY 2020 appropriations. Furthermore, we will determine whether ASPR appropriately used the ASPR Next and DRIVe programs when awarding contracts.

TIMELINE

REPORT PUBLISHED

ASPR Did Not Consistently Comply With Federal Requirements for Awarding Research and Development Contracts (A-03-20-03003)

24-A-03-087.01 to ASPR - Closed Implemented
Closed on 03/04/2025
We recommend that the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response note on the CPARS assessment report for the original contractor that the contractor failed to submit the novation to report the sale of the business interests and transfer of the contract.

24-A-03-087.02 to ASPR - Closed Implemented
Closed on 03/04/2025
We recommend that the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response provide technical assistance or education to the new contractor regarding novation procedures.

24-A-03-087.03 to ASPR - Closed Implemented
Closed on 03/04/2025
We recommend that the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response implement a review process to verify that Federal acquisition awarding procedures and contract funding are fully completed before contract performance begins.

24-A-03-087.04 to ASPR - Closed Implemented
Closed on 03/04/2025
We recommend that the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response correct the Recording Statute violation for the contract that was not properly finalized by ratifying the original contract and properly recording an obligation.

24-A-03-087.05 to ASPR - Closed Implemented
Closed on 03/04/2025
We recommend that the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response correct the time violation for the improperly created purchase order by using no-year funds or multi-year funds available for obligation and report an Antideficiency Act violation if the time violation cannot be corrected.

24-A-03-087.06 to ASPR - Open Unimplemented
Update expected on 09/04/2025
We recommend that the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response create policies and procedures for the maintenance and organization of electronic contract files.

24-A-03-087.07 to ASPR - Open Unimplemented
Update expected on 09/04/2025
We recommend that the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response implement a periodic documentation review process to assess completeness of contract files and provide training to address deficiencies identified from the review.

View in Recommendation Tracker
Work Plan Type
Office of Audit Services
HHS Agencies
Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response
Issue Areas
Contracts Departmental Operational Issues
Target Groups
-
Financial Groups
Grants