The U.S. Army Contracting Command – New Jersey (ACC-NJ), in support of the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND), has released a new Request for Prototype Proposals (RPP-25-05) through the Medical CBRN Defense Consortium (MCDC). Administered by Advanced Technology International (ATI), this solicitation seeks novel approaches for enhancing the body’s natural defenses against organophosphorus nerve agents (OPNAs) by upregulating endogenous butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), a key enzyme for chemical threat protection.
Solicitation Overview
RPP-25-05 invites submissions of Enhanced White Papers (EWPs) under the Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) mechanism. The overarching aim of this effort is to identify, develop, and validate prophylactic interventions that bolster the body’s ability to neutralize OPNA exposure through the upregulation of BuChE. This strategic initiative reflects the Department of Defense’s (DoD) commitment to staying ahead of emerging chemical warfare threats and expanding medical countermeasure capabilities.
This prototype solicitation follows a streamlined two-step selection process, beginning with the submission and evaluation of EWPs. Selected offers will develop cost proposals and enter project agreement negotiations.
Research & Development Goals
The solicitation’s primary goal is the development of a prototype capable of safely and temporarily increasing endogenous BuChE levels in human subjects via Intramuscular (IM), Subcutaneous (SC) or oral administration. Specific objectives include:
- Identification and validation of molecular or biologic strategies to induce BuChE expression;
- Demonstration of upregulation of BuChE within 7 days and maintenance of a level to protect against 5XLD50 of multiple classes of OPNA’s for minimally 7 days;
- Capability to be administered in clinical and non-clinical settings
This effort explicitly encourages participation from nontraditional defense contractors, including small businesses and nonprofit research institutions, in line with OTA requirements under 10 U.S.C. § 4022.
Key Dates & Deadlines
- Enhanced White Paper Due Date: July 10, 2025 – 12:00 PM Eastern Time
Offerors must submit via the secure ATI portal: MCDC Submissions Portal
Note: Only MCDC members in good standing are eligible to participate. Interested parties should confirm membership or begin the membership process as soon as possible.
Funding Details
- Expected Number of Awards: Not specified; based on quality of submissions and available funding
- Estimated Award Size: Determined post-EWP review and subject to negotiation
- Period of Performance: Anticipated to align with FDA development timelines
- Follow-On Production: Awardees may be eligible for non-competitive follow-on production contracts contingent on successful prototype completion
Advancing Health Security Through Innovation
The success of this solicitation stands to significantly enhance U.S. preparedness for chemical threats, particularly those involving organophosphorus agents. By enabling the body to produce higher levels of BuChE, the DoD hopes to create a scalable, broad-spectrum prophylactic that can be administered in advance of exposure, drastically reducing risk to service members and civilian populations alike.
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.
