NIAID Preclinical Models of Infectious Diseases 2017-2024

The National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded a Master IDIQ for Preclinical Models of Infectious Diseases on July 13, 2017, with a final ordering deadline of July 13, 2024 — meaning this vehicle closed to new orders more than two years ago and is no longer available for pursuit.

The vehicle's 139 task orders, valued at $215.2 million in combined potential, developed and employed animal models and animal replacement technologies (including organ-on-a-chip systems) for infectious disease screening and product efficacy testing, bridging in vitro research and eventual clinical evaluation. Work performed under Good Laboratory Practices guidance when required. The portfolio reflects declining ordering momentum in final years: 23 task orders in 2020, dropping to 5 in 2023 and 7 in 2024 before closure. NIAID obligated $156.3 million (73% of combined potential) against the vehicle before it expired.

University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and Utah State University led the contractor base by both order count and value, holding roughly 30% of combined potential value between them. Pharmacology Discovery Services Taiwan, LTD. and Battelle Memorial Institute rounded out the top tier. Across 30 distinct primes, no dominant consolidation emerged; the top five contractors captured approximately 55% of both orders and potential value. All 138 task orders funded NIAID programs (with 1 order supporting the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke), indicating tight customer alignment. The vehicle carried no set-aside designations—all orders competed unrestricted.

Task-order values ranged from under $100 thousand to ceiling values exceeding $12 million, with pricing structures spanning firm fixed price, cost-plus fixed fee, cost-plus award fee, and cost-no-fee arrangements. Recent awards before closure included development of murine models for Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection, preclinical testing of small animal models for biodefense viruses, and non-human primate models for BSL-4 agents. Performance took place at contractor facilities nationwide, including academic medical centers in Texas, Utah, North Carolina, and Georgia.

The Preclinical Models of Infectious Diseases program will include non-traditional animal models as well as models that could serve as replacements for animals in product screening and efficacy studies. The program will continue to provide the capability and capacity to develop and employ animal and animal replacement models (e.g., organ-on-a-chip technology) of infectious diseases for screening and product evaluation and address a critical stage in this pipeline by bridging in vitro testing and eventual clinical evaluation, including, as needed studies conducted under the guidance of 21 CFR 58, "Good Laboratory Practices".