Vaccine adjuvant discovery program

The purpose of this solicitation is to renew the NIAID Adjuvant Discovery Program that supports the identification and characterization of novel, effective and safe vaccine adjuvants. The process of discovery new adjuvants through this program must include each of the following areas of research: (1) Identification of novel adjuvant candidates using high throughput (HTS) approaches and validation that lead compounds stimulate human cells; (2) determination of the mechanism of action of select lead compounds, including the identification of the receptor(s) the adjuvant candidates work through and/or the cellular signaling pathways they activate; (3) optimization of lead adjuvant candidates through formulation and medicinal chemistry, guided by structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies; and (4) verification of the efficacy of lead compounds as vaccine adjuvants in vivo in an animal model. Offerors are encouraged, but not required, to evaluate lead adjuvant candidates in model systems of vulnerable populations (e.g., newborns, elderly or immunocompromised individuals). Lead adjuvant candidates identified under a contract project may also be tested with different vaccine platforms, including nucleic acid-based vaccines. Not only the shortterm
efficacy, but also the durability of the immune response induced by the adjuvanted vaccine must be evaluated.

Research solicited under this acquisition will contribute to the pipeline of new adjuvant leads that either (a) exploit the natural capacity of the innate immune system to initiate and sustain effective T and B cell responses and to induce long term immune memory or (b) act directly on lymphocytes to enhance their response to pathogen-derived antigens.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following technical evaluation criteria: (1) Technical Plan, (2) Scientific and Technical Personnel, (3) Project Management, and (4) Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources. 

It is anticipated that four to 6 [4-6] cost reimbursement, completion type contracts will be awarded for a five [5]-year period of performance beginning on or about September 2024.

NIAID estimates that the average annual total cost (direct and indirect costs combined) is $1-2M/yr/award . However, it is anticipated that the total cost for the award(s) may vary depending upon the scope of the project and the technical objectives of the award(s). The length of time for which funding is requested should be consistent with the nature and complexity of the proposed research. In no event shall the period of performance proposed by an offeror exceed five [5] years.

Any responsible offeror may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the Agency. This BAA will be available electronically on/about 12/20/22, and may be accessed through SAM.gov (https://sam.gov/content/home). This notice does not commit the
Government to award a contract. No collect calls will be accepted. No facsimile transmissions will be accepted.

For this solicitation, the NIAID requires proposals to be submitted online via the NIAID electronic Contract Proposal Submission (eCPS) website. Submission of proposals by facsimile or e-mail is not acceptable.

For directions on using eCPS, go to the website https://ecps.nih.gov/ and then click on "How to Submit."