The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has released a new Request for Project Proposals (RPP) aimed at strengthening the nation’s domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing base. Issued through the Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Preparedness Consortium (BioMaP Consortium), RPP 26-2-AM-LVP focuses on the commercial scale production of drug substances and drug products, with a particular emphasis on anti microbials and large volume parenterals. This solicitation reflects the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response’s (ASPR) broader goal of ensuring resilient, onshore manufacturing capacity for medical countermeasures critical to public health and national security.
At its core, this RPP seeks to address longstanding vulnerabilities in the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain by enabling population scale manufacturing of essential medicines. BARDA and ASPR’s Industrial Base Management and Supply Chain (IBMSC) Office are targeting manufacturing approaches that can reliably produce hundreds of millions of doses, while seeing the infrastructure itself mature toward long term commercial viability and global competitiveness.
Overview of the Solicitation and Program Objectives
RPP 26-2-AM-LVP is being conducted under BARDA’s Other Transaction Authority (OTA) through the BioMaP Consortium, which is managed by Advanced Technology International (ATI). The government is soliciting Enhanced White Papers from consortium members with demonstrated experience in scalable pharmaceutical manufacturing at or beyond Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) 6. Selected performers may be invited to submit a full Statement of Work and cost proposal following initial evaluation.
The technical scope centers on platform technologies for efficient, distributed, and scalable manufacturing of key starting materials (KSMs), active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and finished drug products. While a broad range of essential medicines may be considered, BARDA has stated a clear preference for proposals that focus on anti microbials and large volume parenterals identified on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) List of Essential Medicines. Importantly, all proposed work must meet the Defense Production Act (DPA) definition of a domestic source, reinforcing the federal priority on U.S. based manufacturing capacity.
Two Phase Program Structure
The program is structured around two sequential objectives designed to move concepts from planning through demonstration.
Objective A is an engineering design and planning phase. Performers will work collaboratively with the government to select target drug substances, develop detailed analytical and manufacturing plans, assess domestic infrastructure maturity, and identify risks. The goal of this phase is to refine a comprehensive approach capable of advancing manufacturing capabilities toward MRL 10.
Objective B, pending government approval, focuses on execution and demonstration. Performers will validate analytical models, conduct multiple production runs, and demonstrate the ability to manufacture at least one drug substance at population scale in compliance with U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) standards and International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines. This phase also includes registration batch production and filing Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) with the FDA.
Together, these phases are designed not only to prove technical feasibility, but also to inform future investment decisions and establish repeatable, scalable manufacturing paradigms.
Key Dates and Submission Milestones
Offerors considering a response should take note of the following important dates.
- February 12, 2026: Virtual Teaming Speed Networking Event
- February 18, 2026 (1:00 PM ET): Deadline for submitting questions
- March 9, 2026 (1:00 PM ET): Enhanced White Papers due
Enhanced White Papers must be submitted electronically via ATI’s BIDS portal and follow the mandatory template provided in the solicitation.
Funding and Period of Performance
BARDA has indicated approximately $200 million in total funding is available across all awards under this RPP, subject to availability of funds. The government anticipates making multiple awards, though it reserves the right to make one, multiple, or no awards. The anticipated period of performance is up to 24 months, with project start dates expected in the third quarter of Government Fiscal Year 2026. Mandatory cost sharing is required and will be considered as part of the evaluation.
Advancing Public Health Through Manufacturing Resilience
By investing in scalable, domestic manufacturing for essential medicines, this RPP directly supports U.S. preparedness for public health emergencies and supply chain disruptions. Expanded capacity for anti microbials and large volume parenterals will improve access to life saving therapies, reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, and enhance the nation’s ability to respond rapidly to emerging health threats.
Organizations with capabilities in pharmaceutical manufacturing, automation, analytics, and regulatory execution should carefully evaluate this opportunity. EverGlade Consulting supports clients across the full federal funding lifecycle, from consortium strategy and white paper development to cost sharing, compliance, and post award execution. If your organization is considering a response to this BARDA RPP, we invite you to reach out to EverGlade Consulting to discuss positioning, teaming strategy, and proposal readiness.
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 BARDA, ARPA-H, NIH, DTRA, JPEO, DOD, DIU, DOE, and DARPA.
