High Performance Antigen Diagnostics

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority) is issuing a Request for Information on high-performance antigen diagnostic technologies suitable for near-patient settings, with responses due July 17, 2026. No set-aside applies.

BARDA seeks intelligence on current and emerging immunoassay platforms—including point-of-care and at-home systems—capable of achieving nucleic acid amplification test-level clinical performance (limits of detection approximately 1–10 pg/mL or better) while overcoming conventional antigen test limitations in sensitivity and multiplexing. Areas of interest include high-sensitivity immunoassay platforms adapted for near-patient use; next-generation detection technologies enabling ultra-low detection limits and high multiplexing (GFETs, arrays, emulsions, single-molecule detection); miniaturization and system integration; continuous or near-continuous monitoring including wearable devices; and sample processing and concentration methods for improved low-abundance antigen recovery.

Respondents need not be Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle consortium members to submit to this RFI, though consortium membership will be required for any subsequent Request for Project Proposals. Responses (maximum five pages, minimum 10-point font) should include a cover page with administrative and contact information, an executive summary (0.5 page), technical overview (4 pages), and capabilities and infrastructure description (0.5 page). Submit by email to rrpv@ati.org no later than 1 p.m. EDT July 17, 2026. This RFI is for information gathering only and does not constitute a commitment to issue a future solicitation or make awards. Proprietary information must be clearly marked; no classified information should be submitted.