NIH delays epidemiology contract competition due to DOGE disruptions

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that disruptions caused by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have delayed a major epidemiological research contract. The agency had originally planned a “full and open competition” to replace a 10-year, $112 million contract held by Social & Scientific Systems Inc. that was nearing expiration.

Due to staffing changes, organizational transitions, and internal realignments associated with the establishment of DOGE between 2025 and 2026, the NIH instead issued a two-year, $20 million no-bid extension to Social & Scientific Systems Inc. to continue research on the effects of the environment on human health.

NIH officials noted that previous efforts to recompete the contract are now outdated and require resubmission. The agency stated that a new recompetition process will require two years to satisfy acquisition regulations, adding that switching awardees at this stage would incur estimated transition costs of approximately $9 million.