Production of Modified Dendrimer Nanoparticle (MDNP) vaccine containing Alphavirus mRNA replicons

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) SUBJECT: Production of Modified Dendrimer Nanoparticle (MDNP) vaccine containing Alphavirus mRNA replicons THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS (RFQ); IT IS STRICTLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). NEITHER UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS NOR ANY OTHER KINDS OF OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED PURSUANT TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. 1. DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kind of offers will be considered in response to this RFI. Responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. At this time, questions concerning the composition and requirements for a future RFP will not be entertained. 2. SUBJECT: The United States Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) is conducting market research on behalf of the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) to determine whether the availability of sources that can provide non-personal scientific support services for the production of Modified Dendrimer Nanoparticles (MDNP) vaccines for VEE (Venezaulan equine encephalitis) and other Alphaviruses. The fielded capability must meet or exceed the specifications listed below. The government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the Contract Service Provider (CSP) performing the services herein. Such CSPs shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn, in responsible to the Government. 3. BACKGROUND: Since 1969, the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID) has served as the Department of Defense's (DoD) lead laboratory for medical biological defense research. While its core mission is to protect the warfighter from biological threats, USAMRIID also investigates disease outbreaks and threats to public health. Research conducted leads to medical solutions-therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics, and information-that benefit both military personnel and civilians. USAMRIID is a subordinate laboratory of the United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command at Fort Detrick, located in Frederick, MD. Multiple vaccine candidates have been developed at USAMRIID; however, these candidate platforms still have limited capabilities to rapidly respond to emerging or evolving pathogens and sudden outbreaks. Therefore, strategies to improve Alphavirus vaccine technologies and platforms to allow for antigen flexibility and rapid production are of great interest. One vaccine technology currently being explored is an adjuvant-free dendrimer nanoparticle vaccine platform which encodes the antigen(s) using encapsulated mRNA replicons. Thus, the purpose of this service requirement is to seek services for the generation of Modified Dendrimer Nanoparticles (MDNP) for Alphaviruses. 4. RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS: Respondents should address the following in their capabilities statement: A product development plan demonstrating realistic and attainable timelines for production of an adjuvant-free dendrimer nanoparticule vaccine that encodes Alphavirus antigen(s) using encapsulated mRNA replicons. 5. CONTACT INFORMATION: Any and all questions related to this RFI shall be directed to Samantha L. Connors at samantha.l.connors.civ@mail.mil. All information regarding Capabilities Statements or any other proprietary information relative to this RFI shall be submitted via email to samantha.l.connors.civ@mail.mil no later than 3:00 PM Eastern on October 28, 2016.