Oxygen Carrier Development for Biosynthetic Blood

The contract seeks the research, design, and in vivo testing of synthetic oxygen-carrying molecules or particles capable of reversibly binding and releasing oxygen under physiological conditions, aiming to advance technology readiness levels from 3 to 4. The project focuses on developing biosynthetic blood substitutes that mimic natural hemoglobin function without the limitations of donor-dependent blood products, with testing required in live models to validate performance in real biological environments. Success requires innovation in molecular design, stability under physiological stress, and safe, efficient oxygen delivery to tissues. This subcontract is issued under the Department of Defense through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency with a NAICS code of 325412, indicating classification within pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing. The opportunity was posted on May 1, 2026, with a firm response deadline of May 19, 2026. While no specific set-aside designation or point of contact is provided, the place of performance is unspecified, allowing flexibility in laboratory and testing locations. The initiative is part of a broader effort to create next-generation medical countermeasures for battlefield and emergency scenarios where conventional blood transfusions are impractical or unavailable.