The Medical CBRN Defense Consortium (MCDC), in collaboration with the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND), has released a Request for Information (RFI) to assess industry capabilities in developing broad spectrum prophylactic medical countermeasures (MCMs) against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. These inhibitors, chemical agents that can severely impair nervous system function, pose a critical operational risk to U.S. warfighters. Through this RFI, the Department of Defense (DoD) seeks insights that will shape future development pipelines and procurement efforts in chemical medical defense.
RFI Overview
The RFI supports two Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) new start programs, Beacon and the Prophylactic Technology System (ProTecS). Together, these initiatives represent a structured approach to identifying, screening, and advancing promising medical technologies that can safeguard military personnel from exposure to a wide range of AChE inhibitors.
- Beacon will focus on screening prophylactic candidates using a data-driven approach, including modeling, simulation, and short duration non-clinical testing. Its goal is to rapidly establish a pipeline of viable candidates for transition into advanced development.
- ProTecS will build on Beacon’s work by maturing selected candidates through advanced testing and toward U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. The program is designed with multiple technical decision points to efficiently eliminate underperforming options and fast track promising solutions.
Specific Research and Development Goals
The Government is particularly interested in performers that can meet any or all of the following three capabilities:
- Subcontractor Management – Identifying organizations capable of managing subcontracting relationships with drug developers and evaluators, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery.
- Prophylactic Candidates – Safe, broad spectrum solutions that protect unexposed personnel with minimal performance impacts, maintain protective efficacy with limited dosing, and are compatible with co-administered medications. Candidates must demonstrate manufacturability, affordability, and combat ready administration and storage.
- Candidate Testing and Evaluation – Industry expertise in conducting non-clinical and clinical studies, developing strategies for FDA licensure, and validating operational relevance through measurable force readiness metrics.
Solutions that do not prevent functional degradation after AChE exposure are explicitly excluded from consideration.
Two-page written responses to the RFI must be submitted to [email protected] no later than October 8, 2025 (12:00 PM ET)
Key Dates
Interested organizations should note the following deadlines:
- October 8, 2025 (12:00 PM ET) – RFI responses due.
- November 6, 2025 – Virtual Industry Day for Prophylactic Chemical Medical Countermeasures (date subject to change).
- November 7–21, 2025 – In-person one-on-one sessions with the Government in Frederick, MD.
Funding Information
While this RFI is not a solicitation and no awards will be made at this stage, it is designed to shape the foundation for future acquisition efforts through MCDC. Respondents should be aware that MCDC membership is not required to participate in the RFI. However, if this effort leads to a formal solicitation, MCDC membership will be required for submission of an Enhanced White Paper.
Closing Thoughts
By developing and advancing broad spectrum prophylactic solutions, the DoD aims to protect warfighters from the devastating effects of AChE inhibitors, ensuring operational readiness and survival in chemically contested environments. These innovations could provide U.S. forces with a critical advantage: maintaining cognitive and physical performance even under chemical threat.
For organizations pioneering advanced antibody manufacturing technologies, this is a unique opportunity to partner with BARDA and accelerate deployment of innovations that will shape the future of national health security. We offer services ranging from Pursuit, Proposal and Post-Award support to comply with federal regulations at agencies including BARDA, ARPA-H, NIH, DTRA, JPEO, DOD, DIU, DOE, and DARPA.
