ASPR And BARDA Move To Close The Nitrile Glove Gap
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), through the Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Preparedness Consortium (BioMaP‑Consortium), has released a new Request for Project Proposals (RPP 26‑09‑Gloves) focused on Expansion of Domestic Manufacturing Capacity for Nitrile Gloves. ASPR’s Center for Industrial Base Management and Supply Chain (IBMSC) is seeking vertically integrated, high‑capacity manufacturers who can help close an estimated 15‑billion‑glove deficit in U.S. surge capacity for future public health emergencies.
Gloves are one of the most basic pieces of PPE, but they sit at the heart of biomanufacturing, pharmaceutical production, and frontline healthcare. This RPP treats nitrile glove capacity not as a procurement problem but as a strategic industrial base issue tied directly to national preparedness.
What The RPP Is Looking For
Under RPP 26‑09‑Gloves, ASPR IBMSC and BARDA want projects that:
Expand domestic manufacturing capacity for nitrile gloves to support surge demand in future public health emergencies and steady‑state medical needs.
Build or strengthen vertically integrated operations that can source and produce NBR feedstock and finished nitrile gloves, reducing upstream supply chain risk.
Support PPE manufacturing for frontline workers in biomanufacturing, pharmaceutical production, and medical countermeasure delivery.
Like the NBR RPP, this effort sits under the BioMaP OTA (75A50123D00003), with Advanced Technology International (ATI) as Consortium Management Firm. Selected efforts will be executed as Project Agreements under the BioMaP Base Agreement.
Program Structure, Eligibility, And Key Dates
Key dates include:
Issue date: August 6, 2026
Proposals due: September 8, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET
Anticipated period of performance: Up to 24 months, with start targeted for Q2 FY 2027.
Offerors must:
Be BioMaP‑Consortium members prior to award, and certify they will comply with the latest Base Agreement.
Attest that work will be performed within the continental U.S. and territories, with the performer wholly U.S.‑owned and operated and headquartered in the U.S.
Provide a letter of bondability for construction‑related capacity, plus detailed risk disclosures (terminations, defaults, bankruptcies, DOJ/OIG contacts) since March 2020.
Commit to corporate bylaw changes within 90 days of award that lock in U.S. ownership and control and give the U.S. Government priority access to funded capacity for 10 years after the period of performance ends.
The RPP also requires at least 50 percent cost share from non‑federal sources, reinforcing that awardees must have real skin in the game as long‑term producers rather than purely grant‑funded operators.
Proposals go straight to full Technical and Cost submissions using the provided templates. Evaluations will rate technical merit, industrial base impact, and cost reasonableness and completeness, with strong proposals that aren’t immediately funded potentially placed into a two‑year “Basket” for future awards.
Why This Matters For Glove And PPE Manufacturers
ASPR and BARDA are explicit: the U.S. faces a double‑digit‑billion shortfall in nitrile glove surge capacity, and that deficit is a national risk. With 26‑09‑Gloves, they are:
Signaling that nitrile glove lines and upstream NBR capacity are now viewed as critical PPE infrastructure, not commodity production.
Prioritizing domestic, vertically integrated, U.S.‑controlled capacity with long‑term obligations to prioritize U.S. demand and keep government‑funded assets focused on nitrile glove production.
Using BioMaP and OTAs to move quickly, tailor agreements, and give well‑aligned glove manufacturers a direct path into the federal preparedness ecosystem.
For glove producers, chemical manufacturers, and PPE platform companies, this is a chance to reposition as core infrastructure players for future public health emergencies. For emerging or expanding manufacturers, the 50 percent cost share requirement means you need a realistic plan for co‑investment, not just a technical concept.
EverGlade is a national advisory firm helping innovators navigate the federal funding ecosystem. We support companies across the funding lifecycle, from early-stage strategy through proposal development, negotiations, and post-award execution, ensuring you win the award and deliver the program.
For additional information on where your capabilities could plug into this opportunity, schedule a conversation with our team.
