Advancing Chemical Threat Readiness: The MCDC’s New Call for Prototypes
April 2025 marks another pivotal moment for U.S. defense readiness in chemical and biological threat detection. Through the Medical CBRN Defense Consortium (MCDC), the Army Contracting Command has issued Solicitation RPP-25-04 seeking Enhanced White Papers for a groundbreaking prototype: the Assay Expansion for Chemical Diagnostic System (AECDS). This initiative reflects a broader push by the Department of Defense (DoD) to enhance the nation’s rapid response capabilities against chemical threats.
A New Chapter in Defense Innovation
This Request for Prototype Proposals (RPP), released under the authority of 10 U.S.C. §4022, focuses on developing a scalable and adaptive diagnostic toolset capable of detecting a wider range of chemical agents. The goal is simple but critical: bolster the operational readiness of U.S. forces against evolving chemical threats.
Eligible participants are invited to submit Enhanced White Papers by May 8, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET. This marks the first phase in a competitive process that emphasizes technical excellence and feasibility in prototype development, potentially culminating in full-scale production contracts.
What’s Expected from Offerors
The solicitation outlines several key requirements for submission:
- Mandatory Format Compliance: Submissions must follow the Enhanced White Paper Template and include a separate Statement of Work using the provided template.
- Demonstration of Capability: Offerors must clearly articulate their technical approach, anticipated risks and mitigations, realistic schedules, and relevant past performance.
- Resource Sharing or Nontraditional Participation: To qualify under OTA guidelines, proposals must involve either nontraditional defense contractors or demonstrate a minimum of one-third cost sharing from non-federal sources.
The proposals will be evaluated primarily on technical benefit, with cost considerations playing a supporting role. Only proposals rated at least “Acceptable” in the technical category will proceed for further funding consideration or be placed in the “basket” for potential future awards.
A Strategic Path to Productionf
Importantly, successful prototypes developed under this solicitation may transition into non-competed follow-on production agreements, providing an expedited path from concept to capability. The Government also reserves comprehensive data rights, regulatory visibility, and patent provisions that safeguard both public investment and future commercialization potential.
This structure ensures not just innovation, but sustainability and scalability — cornerstones of any modern defense acquisition strategy.
Why This Matters
Chemical diagnostic capabilities sit at the front line of national defense, particularly in environments where rapid identification and response to hazardous substances are mission-critical. The AECDS initiative aims to bridge current capability gaps and prepare defense personnel with tools that reflect 21st-century threat realities.
In addition, this RPP highlights the growing role of public-private collaboration. By leveraging the strengths of small businesses, research institutions, and nontraditional contractors, the DoD is cultivating a more diverse and agile innovation base.
If your company has considered applying for federal funding, your federal funding journey starts here. EverGlade Consulting is a national firm that helps organizations win and manage federal awards. We offer services ranging from Pursuit, Proposal and Post-Award support to comply with federal regulations at agencies including federal, ASPR, NIH, DTRA, JPEO, DOD, DIU, DOE, and DARPA.
