NIAID Omnibus Broad Agency Announcement No. HHS-NIH-NIAID-BAA2017-1

Notice Number: NOT-AI-17-019

Key Dates
Release Date: March 17, 2017

Related Announcements
None

Issued by
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Purpose

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) supports research related to the basic understanding of microbiology and immunology leading to the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and medical diagnostics for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of infectious and immune-mediated diseases. NIAID is currently soliciting proposals that possess the research and development (R&D) expertise necessary for successfully carrying out research toward meeting the program objectives of the following NIAID Divisions:

- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT), NIAID, NIH
- Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID), NIAID, NIH

The BAA is governed by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.102(d)(2) and FAR 35.016, as well as the NIH Policy Manual, Manual Chapter 6035, Broad Agency Announcements. A BAA may be used as a solicitation mechanism for basic and applied research directed toward advancing the state-of-the-art or increasing knowledge or understanding and that part of development not related to the development of a specific system or hardware procurement. BAAs are general in nature, identifying areas of research interest, and shall only be used when meaningful proposals with varying technical/scientific approaches can be reasonably anticipated.

Offers submitted in response to this BAA will be required to present separate detailed technical and business proposals designed to meet the Technical Objectives described for each Research Area proposed. The Statement of Work (SOW), including the specific technical requirements and performance specifications, shall be developed and proposed by the Offeror, not the Government.
The Research Areas as well as the projected amounts of available funding, are discussed below. Dates for receipt of proposals will be identified separately for EACH Research Area within the solicitation.


Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT), NIAID, NIH

Research Area 001: Adjuvant Development Program

This Research Area is intended to advance novel adjuvants towards licensure for human use through immunological characterization studies and lead compound optimization, up to and including IND-enabling studies. NIAID estimates up to five (5) contracts may be issued. The average annual total cost (direct and indirect costs combined) will be approximately $2.0M per award. While the total proposed costs and the length of time for which funding is requested should be consistent with the nature and complexity of the proposed research, the total performance period proposed by an offeror should not exceed five (5) years.

Research Area 002: Development of Radiation/Nuclear Medical Countermeasures

This Research Area is intended to support the research and development of promising new approaches to mitigate and/or treat tissue injuries arising from exposure to ionizing radiation, which may include, but are not limited to: biologics, including cytokines and free radical scavengers; cellular therapies; and drugs, such as, anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, and anti-fibrotics. NIAID estimates that two or more awards may be issued for a total cost of up to $2 million for the non-severable base work across all contracts (direct and indirect costs combined). While the total duration of a proposed contract should be consistent with the nature and complexity of the offeror's proposed research, the total performance period comprised of the base and any options proposed by an Offeror should not exceed three (3) years.

Research Area 003: Development of Radiation/Nuclear Predictive Biomarkers and Biodosimetric Devices

This Research Area is intended to support further development of biodosimetry biomarkers (biological indicators of radiation exposure, such as intensity of radiation-induced tissue injuries), and/or automated high-throughput diagnostic systems (devices) to rapidly assess levels and types of radiation exposure using minimally invasive biosamples (e.g., a minimum quantity of blood, hair follicles, skin swabs, saliva, serum, or urine, rather than spinal fluid or tissue biopsy samples.) NIAID estimates that two or more awards may be issued for a total cost of up to $2 million for the non-severable base work across all contracts (direct and indirect costs combined). While the total duration of a proposed contract should be consistent with the nature and complexity of the offeror's proposed research, the total performance period comprised of the base and any options proposed by an Offeror should not exceed three (3) years.

Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID), NIAID, NIH

NIAID estimates that two or more awards may be issued for the Research Areas identified below, for a total estimated funding amount up to $18 million for non-severable base contract work across all contracts (direct and indirect costs combined.) The total duration of a proposed contract should be consistent with the nature and complexity of the offeror's proposed research. The total performance period comprised of the base and any options proposed by an Offeror should not exceed five (5) years.

Research Area 004: Development of Broad-spectrum Therapeutic Products for Biodefense, Anti-Microbial Resistant Infections and Emerging Infectious Diseases

The objective of this Research Area is the development of broad-spectrum therapeutic products for use in post-event settings following the intentional release of a NIAID Category A, B, or C Priority Pathogen, zika virus, or in response to naturally-occurring outbreaks of infectious diseases caused by these pathogens. Solicited products are anticipated to include: Antibacterial Broad-spectrum Therapeutics; Antiviral Broad-spectrum Therapeutics; and, Anti-toxin Therapeutics.

Research Area 005: Advanced Development of Vaccine Candidates for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases

The objective of this Research Area is the development of vaccines for use in post-event settings following the intentional release of a NIAID Category A, B, or C Priority Pathogen, zika virus, or in response to naturally-occurring outbreaks of infectious diseases caused by these pathogens. Solicited Products are anticipated to include: Vaccines Against Antimicrobial Resistance Threats; Technology Gaps that Slow Progression to Clinical Testing; Enhanced Vaccine Performance (e.g., development of vaccine technologies, platforms, and/or formulations that minimize cold chain requirements and enhance stability); and, Novel Vaccine "Plug-and-Play" Technologies (e.g., technological solutions/platforms that improve preparedness capabilities).

General

All responsible sources may submit a proposal, which shall be considered by the Agency. NIAID Omnibus Broad Agency Announcement No. HHS-NIH-NIAID-BAA2017-1 is available electronically through the Government wide point of entry (GPE): FedBizOpps.gov (www.fbo.gov). This broad agency announcement (BAA) is available ONLY via electronic means. Printed copies of the announcement will not be distributed. Potential offerors are encouraged to refer frequently to the GPE for updates on the program. Any updates or corrections to the announcement will be posted there.

For this solicitation, the NIAID requires proposals to be submitted via the NIAID electronic Contract Proposal Submission (eCPS) website. Submission of proposals by facsimile or e-mail is not acceptable. For directions on using eCPS, go to the website https://ecps.nih.gov and then click on "How to Submit."

This Notice does not commit the Government to award a contract. No collect calls will be accepted. No facsimile transmissions will be accepted.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

George W. Kennedy
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Telephone: 240-669-5170
Email: kennedyg@mail.nih.gov