The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), through the Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle (RRPV), has officially released Request for Project Proposals (RPP) RRPV 26-13-BundiVx for the Bundibugyo Virus Outbreak Response Vaccines (BundiVx) Program. The solicitation seeks to accelerate the development of investigational vaccine candidates targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV), the virus responsible for the ongoing Ebola outbreak that was first confirmed in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, with additional confirmed cases subsequently reported in Uganda.
Filoviruses remain a significant national health security concern due to their potential for severe disease, high mortality rates, and rapidly escalating outbreaks. While the FDA-approved ERVEBO vaccine has demonstrated effectiveness against Zaire ebolavirus, there are currently no licensed or clinically active vaccine candidates specifically targeting BDBV. Through the BundiVx program, BARDA aims to rapidly advance BDBV vaccine candidates using proven vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-based vaccine platforms with demonstrated single-dose protective efficacy against filoviruses.
The BundiVx program’s ultimate goals are to produce current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) clinical trial material and complete the regulatory activities necessary to support use of investigational vaccines during the ongoing outbreak, while also identifying promising candidates for future development.
Program Scope and Technical Focus
BARDA is seeking proposals that leverage existing VSV vaccine platform technologies and prior development experience to accelerate vaccine readiness. The solicitation uses a single-stage submission process requiring a full technical and cost proposal and includes activities spanning manufacturing, regulatory engagement, nonclinical development, clinical evaluation, and outbreak response support.
BARDA also notes a preference for supporting different manufacturing approaches and platform systems to diversify manufacturing risk.
Manufacturing Development
Offerors must conduct manufacturing process development through engineering runs and production of Phase 1 cGMP clinical trial material, targeting up to 10,000 doses. The solicitation also includes optional manufacturing activities capable of producing up to 100,000 doses of cGMP clinical trial material.
Regulatory and IND-Enabling Studies
Performers are expected to engage early with FDA, complete critical-path IND-enabling activities, prepare regulatory submissions, and achieve safe-to-proceed status for a Phase 1 Investigational New Drug (IND) application.
Phase 1 Clinical Evaluation
The solicitation includes an optional Task 3 Phase 1 clinical trial designed to assess safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of a single-dose vaccine candidate. BARDA has emphasized the importance of evaluating immune responses associated with rapid onset of protection, given the intended outbreak response application.
Outbreak Trial Support
Optional activities include logistical support for outbreak clinical trials, shipment and storage of clinical materials, immune assay support, and incorporation of outbreak clinical safety data into the platform’s broader safety database.
Important Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for consideration, organizations must be RRPV consortium members at the time of proposal submission. In addition, BARDA has established several mandatory eligibility requirements, including:
- Use of a VSV-based vaccine platform
- Demonstrated development and manufacturing experience with the platform in the context of a filovirus vaccine
- An established manufacturing relationship between the vaccine developer and proposed Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) partner utilizing the proposed platform and manufacturing process
- A commitment to provide materials produced under the program to BARDA or BARDA-designated partners for testing activities
BARDA also encourages offerors to leverage existing manufacturing capabilities, regulatory experience, and prior platform development data to accelerate timelines toward clinical evaluation and potential outbreak deployment.
Key Dates
- RPP Released: June 11, 2026
- Questions Due: June 16, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern
- Answers Posted: Approximately June 18, 2026
- Proposal Due Date: June 26, 2026, at 1:00 PM Eastern
Additional Information
BARDA anticipates making approximately one to three awards under this solicitation, with an estimated $75 million in total government funding available. Individual periods of performance may extend up to five years, depending on the proposed scope of work and negotiated project structure.
The BundiVx program represents an urgent effort to address a significant gap in filovirus preparedness. By leveraging proven vaccine platforms and accelerating development timelines, BARDA aims to create viable BDBV vaccine candidates that can support ongoing outbreak response efforts while strengthening future preparedness capabilities.
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