In September 2025, the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC), in partnership with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), announced a new Request for Project Proposals (RPP) aimed at accelerating U.S. biodefense capabilities. The solicitation, “Advancing Biodefense Readiness: On-Demand Biologics, Automated Threat Detection, and Alternatives for Testing Medical Countermeasures in High Containment,” seeks applied prototype solutions that directly strengthen military readiness. At its core, the program aligns with DTRA’s mission to protect warfighters against chemical and biological threats by supporting rapid biologics manufacturing, automated detection systems, and innovative non-animal testing models.
Solicitation Overview
This RPP invites proposals that address one of four targeted focus areas, each aimed at closing critical gaps in biodefense technology:
- Biologics on Demand: Compact, automated platforms that can generate therapeutic proteins within ~24 hours of receiving DNA or RNA templates, suitable for regulatory review.
- Automated Clinical and Environmental Sampling, Sequencing, and Analysis: Integrated, hands-free systems that collect, prepare, and analyze samples (air, water, wastewater, or clinical) with onboard bioinformatics for real-time threat detection.
- Alternative Methods for Testing Medical Countermeasures in High Containment: Mature organ-on-a-chip (OoC) and organoid technologies capable of modeling viral infections and therapeutic responses under biosafety level (BSL) 3 or BSL 4 conditions.
- MAGPIE (Microphysiological Alternatives for Gauging Pretreatment Immunogenicity and Efficacy): Immune microphysiological systems (iMPS) that replicate human immune responses, enabling evaluation of both existing vaccines and novel vaccine candidates.
To streamline applicant efforts, MTEC has adopted a two-stage process: Stage 1 requires a concise White Paper and only select Offerors will be invited to submit a Full Proposal in Stage 2.
Key Dates
Applicants should be mindful of the following deadlines:
- September 22, 2025: RPP issued.
- Within approximately two weeks of release: Proposers Conference (virtual webinar, date to be announced).
- October 28, 2025 (Noon ET): White Papers due
Funding Structure
Funding varies across the four focus areas, with a strong emphasis on follow on potential:
- Biologics on Demand: Approximately $3M available; one award of about $1M per year for up to 36 months, plus up to $2M for option years.
- Automated Sampling, Sequencing, and Analysis: Approximately $2.4M available; one award, 12 month period of performance.
- Alternative MCM Testing in High Containment: Up to $5M for one award, 12 months, with up to $19.45M in potential follow on tasks.
- MAGPIE: Up to $2M for one award, 12 months, plus up to $2M annually for up to four option years.
Cost sharing is encouraged but not required. Awardees must also account for MTEC’s 2 percent assessment fee on funded awards.
Why It Matters
By fostering innovative prototypes, this solicitation supports the development of rapid response medical countermeasures, automated pathogen surveillance, and next generation testing models that minimize reliance on animal studies. These advances directly enhance the Department of Defense’s ability to safeguard warfighter health against biological threats while also contributing to broader public health preparedness.
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