BARDA seeks opinions on new partnership model for medical countermeasures

Turning to the public, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) released a Sources Sought Notice (SSN) this week to gather input on an idea for a new Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle meant to be the guiding model for health security acquisitions.

Its development could be seen as a direct response to the struggles of the COVID-19 pandemic, as it is implicitly meant to craft a more specific and rapid means of product acquisition to face future health challenges and emergencies. It will be multi-purpose, encompassing all steps involved in developing medical countermeasures, from early-stage work to commercialization and infrastructure development.

While the SSN is not itself a solicitation, it is indicative of the federal government’s moves to understand organizational capabilities nationwide and gather data relevant to such actions.

The Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle would ideally be used to speed up and build partnerships and access to partners to bolster national health security preparedness and response. It would support future BARDA acquisitions annually and help the organization institute new programs called for by the White House’s American Pandemic Preparedness Plan.

The program would be built on three pillars: a preparedness and response network, medical countermeasure capital, and development, evaluation, and testing exchange. Room would be made for innovators, product developers, and funders, working under timelines to test and fund products quickly, expand domestic manufacturing capability and capacity before public health emergencies, and work with BARDA to meet certain priorities, vet technologies, and mark awards, among other measures.

Through the SSN, BARDA hopes to identify potential partners to guide two new consortiums: one for medical technology developers and another focused on vaccines and therapeutics.