# RRPV BoNT-NMJ

Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/ssnbarda04202026

- Solicitation number: SSN-BARDA-04202026
- Notice type: Sources sought
- Status: Closed. Deadline was May 11, 2026 at 1:00 PM EDT
- Department: Department of Health and Human Services
- Agency: Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
- Contracting office: Barda - Aspr / Daappo / Barda DCMA (75A501)
- NAICS: 541714 Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)
- Product or service code: 6505 Drugs and Biologicals
- Place of performance: Washington, District of Columbia
- County: District of Columbia (FIPS 11001). https://abierto.us/counties/district-of-columbia-dc-11001
- City: Washington. https://abierto.us/cities/washington-dc-1150000
- First posted: April 20, 2026
- Last posted: April 20, 2026
- SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/78111dd8f1d54f3783a4e98804f52351/view

## Description

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT/A–G) inhibit acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction through cleavage of SNARE proteins (e.g., SNAP-25, VAMP, syntaxin). Currently, BoNT characterization, including toxin potency and neutralization by medical countermeasures, is measured using mouse-based bioassays, primarily the Mouse Potency Assay (MPA) and Mouse Neutralization Assay (MNA), respectively.

There is increasing scientific, ethical, and regulatory interest in transitioning to human-relevant in vitro systems that can provide mechanistic insight while reducing reliance on animal testing. NMJ micro-physiological systems may provide a biologically relevant platform capable of measuring BoNT potency and evaluating countermeasure efficacy.

BARDA is interested in understanding whether NMJ-based in vitro platforms could support future development of validated assays capable of reducing and potentially replacing reliance on mouse bioassays for BoNT potency and neutralization measurements, with specific interest in systems that can show recovery of neuronal signaling and thereby be appropriate for medical countermeasures evaluation.

## Publications

- April 20, 2026: Sources sought, due May 11, 2026 at 1:00 PM EDT. Notice 78111dd8f1d54f3783a4e98804f52351. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/78111dd8f1d54f3783a4e98804f52351/view

## Points of contact

- Kathy Garee, rrpv-contracts@ati.org
- Yifan Yang, yifan.yang@hhs.gov

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Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/ssnbarda04202026.