Adjuvant Comparison and Characterization

This Broad Agency Announcement from the National Institutes of Health solicits research proposals to establish immunological profiles of multiple adjuvants using various vaccine and antigen platforms. Proposals are due by September 16, 2021 and will be evaluated based on their ability to characterize innate and adaptive immune responses through omics technologies, T cell and B cell assays. Awards of one to four contracts will be made to analyze selected adjuvants and antigens, with a maximum of three platforms tested per proposal. Amendments to the solicitation were issued on May 21, 2021 and August 5, 2021 to answer questions.

There is no set-aside designation for this procurement. Research is to be conducted under NAICS codes 541715 and PSC code C199. Evaluation will establish immune fingerprints over periods of up to five years to compare strength, quality, breadth and durability of responses from adjuvants working through different mechanisms. Studies may incorporate non-HIV and HIV antigens and must address profiling in animal and human cells with computational integration. Work will be performed at locations of the awardees.