Under the Project BioShield Act and the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is charged with developing medical countermeasures to address radiological and nuclear threats to the United States.
In the aftermath of an improvised nuclear device (IND) detonation or a nuclear accident, having rapid and accurate measurements of internal radiation absorption in exposed persons can inform life-saving medical decisions.
High-throughput biodosimetry systems are sought to provide dose-dependent measurement of the biological changes caused by ionizing radiation that result in internal body damage. The test results will determine the level, duration, and combination of medical care administered to an individual.
BARDA contracts awarded under the program will facilitate the test validation, EUA and FDA diagnostic filings, and the initial stockpiling of biodosimetry tests for use in a nuclear incident.
Systems chosen for development should have the potential to generate a daily result output capability of more than 60,000 test results over at least 7 days post-incident using an arrangement of no more than 150 instruments, commercially placed in clinical reference, hospital, or public healthcare laboratories.
Further details are available via Solicitation Number: RFP-16-100-SOL-00010. The effort is still in the Pre-Solicitation phase, with a formal Request for Proposals anticipated to be released on April 4, 2016.