The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has released a new Request for Information (RFI) focused on “New Vaccine Platforms.” This solicitation seeks to better understand the current landscape of vaccine platform technologies capable of delivering broad protection and accelerated development timelines. BARDA aims to identify platform approaches that can be adapted rapidly for a wide range of infectious disease threats, strengthening national readiness while ensuring safety, reliability, and manufacturing scalability.
RFI Overview
In this RFI, BARDA, through the Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle (RRPV), is gathering feedback from industry, academia, and research organizations on vaccine platform technologies that are well characterized, broadly applicable, and already demonstrated within licensed vaccines or candidates with active Investigational New Drug (IND) applications. These platforms should enable swift and standardized development across multiple vaccine candidates by leveraging common expression systems, manufacturing processes, and formulation or adjuvant technologies. BARDA emphasizes that the technologies of interest must support rapid deployment, have established safety profiles, and demonstrate the potential for adaptation to newly emerging pathogens.
The platform technologies of interest include expression systems, manufacturing platforms, and formulation or adjuvant systems. The solicitation specifically excludes nucleic acid based vaccine platforms and delivery device only innovations. Respondents are invited to engage deeply with topics such as expression system design, demonstrated drug substance (DS) and final drug product (FDP) manufacturing capabilities, nonclinical and clinical data, and regulatory history for platform components.
Program Goals and Requirements
The RFI outlines BARDA’s desire to understand the technical capabilities of platform technologies and the maturity of those technologies. As part of their response, organizations must characterize projected timelines from antigen sequence to deployment, including anticipated IND submissions and initiation of clinical trials. BARDA is particularly interested in technologies with demonstrated manufacturing scale, yield, throughput, and timelines for DS and FDP production. Respondents must also describe the extent to which assays and testing methodologies can be applied across multiple candidates with minimal modification. This attribute is essential for any true vaccine platform.
Additionally, BARDA seeks comprehensive nonclinical and clinical data demonstrating safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy. Organizations should summarize FDA feedback on platform elements and highlight the use of regulatory programs such as Fast Track, Breakthrough Therapy, rolling reviews, or accelerated approval. Responses must clearly differentiate between demonstrated capabilities and projected performance based on anticipated process improvements.
Key Dates for Respondents
BARDA identifies one critical deadline for organizations interested in contributing to this RFI:
- January 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM EST: Responses are due to [email protected]. Late submissions will not be reviewed. This submission must include a cover page with administrative and organizational information and a technical response following the specified format that includes an Executive Summary, Organizational Overview, Platform Technology description, Platform Manufacturing details, a Nonclinical and Clinical Summary, and a Platform Regulatory Feedback section.
Funding Expectations
Because this is a Request for Information, BARDA does not announce funding levels, expected award numbers, or a period of performance. Instead, the RFI serves as critical market research that may inform future solicitations released through the Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle (RRPV). Only organizations that are RRPV members will be eligible to respond to any subsequent Requests for Project Proposals (RPPs). Respondents do not need to be RRPV members to participate in this RFI.
Advancing Human Health Through Rapid and Adaptable Vaccine Technologies
BARDA’s focus on innovative and adaptable vaccine platform technologies underscores a national commitment to strengthening biodefense and pandemic preparedness. By identifying platform approaches that can accelerate vaccine development timelines while maintaining robust safety and efficacy, this initiative supports the rapid deployment of countermeasures in response to emerging infectious threats. The insights gained from this RFI will help BARDA shape technologies that can protect global public health when rapid response is essential.
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.
