The Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) has released a new Request for Information (RFI) focused on advancing end-to-end, untargeted genomic sequencing workflows for military use. As the Department of Defense (DoD) increases its emphasis on rapid biodefense decision-making, this RFI highlights the agency’s commitment to identifying technologies capable of detecting, characterizing, and responding to emerging biological threats in operational environments. JPEO-CBRND, the DoD’s lead for integrating CBRN defense solutions, is turning to industry to better understand the current state of genomic sequencing innovation and its applicability to military missions.
This RFI seeks solutions that address the growing need for field-ready sequencing, bioinformatics, and test and evaluation infrastructure across diverse sample types and operational contexts. The government is particularly interested in platforms and workflows that provide actionable, untargeted biological surveillance capabilities, regardless of a user’s technical expertise. By gathering insights from industry now, JPEO-CBRND aims to shape future acquisition strategies that strengthen the DoD’s biodefense posture.
RFI Overview
The RFI requests information on several key areas that together form a comprehensive, deployable genomic sequencing architecture. First, JPEO-CBRND is evaluating end-to-end genomic sequencing workflows that can be automated, support environmental and clinical sample matrices, and operate effectively in contested or resource-limited environments. These workflows must be appropriate for military personnel with varying levels of laboratory training.
Second, the agency is surveying field-deployable bioinformatics tools that are optimized to identify biological threats, including indicators of genetic engineering, across all taxonomic classifications. Solutions should enable on-site processing, rapid analytics, and threat detection without reliance on large-scale computing facilities.
Third, JPEO-CBRND seeks information related to test and evaluation (T&E) infrastructure that is necessary for government-led evaluation of untargeted sequencing systems. This includes technologies, instrument suites, and other resources that support reproducible and rigorous T&E.
Finally, the government is interested in protein toxin sequencing capabilities, with a focus on both laboratory-based and field-deployable systems. These capabilities will help enable a more holistic threat characterization framework that addresses both nucleic-acid-based and protein-based agents.
These focus areas reflect a broader DoD priority: improving early threat detection and ensuring sequencing-derived intelligence is accessible to warfighters and decision-makers.
Key Dates
JPEO-CBRND has identified two important dates associated with this RFI:
- Friday, 19 December 2025: Due date for responses to the RFI. Industry partners should provide detailed information on capabilities, technologies, and concepts relevant to untargeted sequencing for military use.
- Thursday, 29 January 2026: An Industry Day will be held at SPA’s Crown Center Conference Facility, 8211 Terminal Road, Suite 1000, Lorton, VA 22079. This event will give interested organizations the opportunity to engage with program leadership and gain further insight into the DoD’s needs.
Funding and Award Structure
As an RFI, this notice does not include formal funding guidance, an anticipated award quantity, or an estimated budget. It serves as market research to inform a potential future solicitation. Organizations interested in establishing themselves early in the biodefense sequencing ecosystem may benefit significantly from participating at this stage.
Advancing Human Health and Defense Readiness
The insights gathered through this RFI will directly support the DoD’s ability to rapidly detect and respond to biological incidents. Ultimately, this work will enhance military readiness and strengthen biodefense protections for civilian populations. Untargeted sequencing workflows have the potential to improve outbreak detection, accelerate threat characterization, and strengthen early warning systems that protect warfighters and communities around the globe.
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