RRPV BoNT-NMJ

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), is seeking information on neuromuscular junction (NMJ) micro-physiological systems capable of detecting and measuring botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) potency across serotypes A through G, as well as evaluating the efficacy of medical countermeasures. This Request for Information (RFI) is issued through the Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle (RRPV) for market research and planning purposes to assess the current landscape of available NMJ platforms. Key requirements include systems utilizing human cells and tissue that can demonstrate recovery of neuronal signaling, with the ability to reduce or potentially replace reliance on traditional mouse-based bioassays (Mouse Potency Assay and Mouse Neutralization Assay). BARDA is specifically interested in supporting existing NMJ system development rather than new system creation, and respondents should only participate if they are actively developing or operating such platforms. Interested organizations must submit written responses not exceeding five pages (excluding references) to rrpv@ati.org by May 11, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET.

This is a pre-solicitation notice with no set-aside designation, and no incumbent contractors or specific award values are identified at this stage. The RFI responses will not be reimbursed, as this is an informational market research effort rather than a commitment to procure. Respondents must provide detailed information on platform description, biological system specifications, functional readouts, prior BoNT experience, regulatory considerations, commercial and manufacturing factors, and operational challenges. Organizations should include company description, contact information, and clearly mark any proprietary information in their submissions, which must be formatted as PDF or Microsoft Word documents. The specific timeline for subsequent solicitation and procurement activities has not been disclosed in this pre-solicitation notice.