Advancing Burn Care Preparedness: BARDA’s Strategic Investment in Enzymatic Debridement Products
In its ongoing mission to strengthen the nation’s biodefense and emergency response infrastructure, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), an office within the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has released a pre-solicitation notice under Solicitation No. 75A50125R00007. This notice announces BARDA’s intent to procure enzymatic debridement products to treat deep and full-thickness severe burn injuries, particularly in the event of a large burn mass casualty incident (BCMI).
The strategic objective of this procurement is twofold: maintain the nation’s medical readiness for burn emergencies through an established Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) system, and drive innovation by investing in next-generation formulations that improve efficacy, logistics, and adaptability to evolving threats. As BARDA prepares to transition from an expiring contract by September 2025, this new acquisition will ensure continuity in national burn care preparedness and serve as a cost-effective alternative to managing expiring stockpiles.
Solicitation Overview: Supporting National Readiness Through Innovation
This forthcoming procurement seeks to secure a deployable cache of enzymatic debridement product that can be rapidly accessed during national emergencies. The products will be vendor-maintained in coordination with commercial sales, ensuring a continuous inventory rotation that prevents waste due to expiration. This model also facilitates bedside debridement, freeing up surgical capacity during mass casualty events and improving patient outcomes by enabling earlier intervention.
In addition to maintaining readiness, BARDA is investing in next-generation debridement solutions. These efforts aim to produce room temperature-stable formulations that are more cost-effective, possess enhanced clinical efficacy, and are potentially suitable for blast trauma wounds, expanding the preparedness posture across a broader spectrum of injury types.
The contract is expected to include a mix of cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price components, allowing for both sustained inventory management and research and development flexibility.
Key Dates and Milestones
This is a Pre-Solicitation Notice, which means no proposals are being accepted at this time. However, companies should be aware of the following timeline and prepare accordingly:
- Expected RFP release: Mid-to-late 2025
- Contract award target: September 2025
- Anticipated performance period: Up to 120 months (10 years), with a full base period
Respondents will need to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) to participate once the official solicitation is released.
Funding Details and Award Structure
BARDA anticipates awarding one or more contracts as a result of this procurement. Each award will feature:
- A performance period of up to 10 years
- Both fixed-price and cost-reimbursement contract line items
- Ongoing government payment for monthly inventory maintenance in exchange for guaranteed product access
These funding mechanisms are designed to balance procurement stability with innovation enablement, aligning with BARDA’s dual goals of operational readiness and forward-looking R&D.
Accelerating Burn Care Readiness and Trauma Innovation
The work BARDA seeks to fund under this initiative will play a vital role in reducing morbidity and mortality in large-scale burn events, while also extending potential applications to blast-related trauma care, a critical need in both military and civilian contexts. By improving the usability, stability, and effectiveness of enzymatic debridement products, this initiative reinforces the nation’s capability to respond swiftly and effectively to mass casualty scenarios.
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