BARDA DCMA DRIVe Team

The BARDA DCMA DRIVe Team serves as the primary contracting entity within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, responsible for managing the acquisition of medical countermeasures to address public health emergencies, including pandemics, bioterrorism, and emerging infectious threats. Operating under the Department of Health and Human Services, the team executes complex research and development contracts to accelerate the transition of innovative biotechnologies from laboratory to deployment. Their portfolio primarily involves early- to mid-stage procurement of advanced therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostic platforms, often under urgent or emergency authority, requiring agile contracting strategies and close collaboration with federal science and regulatory partners. The team maintains strategic partnerships with specialized biotechnology firms including CIDARA THERAPEUTICS INC, AQUESTIVE THERAPEUTICS, INC., RAFA LABORATORIES LTD, and OSIVAX, all of which possess advanced capabilities in antiviral drug development, novel delivery systems, and platform-based vaccine technologies. These relationships are characterized by long-term, mission-aligned collaboration, often involving phased development contracts, milestone-based payments, and technology transfer agreements. The team prioritizes vendors with proven expertise in GMP manufacturing, regulatory pathway navigation, and rapid scale-up capacity to meet national preparedness timelines. The BARDA DCMA DRIVe Team does not utilize socioeconomic set-asides, with 100% of its acquisitions conducted under full and open competition. This reflects a mission-driven focus on technical capability and speed over socioeconomic preferences, ensuring access to the most advanced and scalable solutions available in the global biotech market, regardless of vendor size or certification status. The team’s procurement activity is exclusively concentrated under NAICS 541714—Research and Development in Biotechnology—reflecting deep specialization in cutting-edge biopharmaceutical innovation. They procure preclinical and clinical-stage candidates, including mRNA platforms, monoclonal antibodies, antiviral small molecules, and next-generation vaccine vectors, with a technical focus on immunology, virology, and advanced drug delivery systems. Their expertise lies in evaluating scientific merit, manufacturing readiness, and regulatory feasibility to support national biodefense objectives.