PRimer and prObe Manufacturing PlaTform (PROMPT) MTEC-26-03-PROMPT
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
The Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC), in support of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), is seeking proposals to develop a fully automated, man-portable, and ruggedized prototype platform capable of manufacturing clinical-quality nucleic acid primers and probes on demand in expeditionary environments. The goal is to eliminate reliance on centralized manufacturing and cold-chain logistics by enabling military personnel to rapidly produce high-quality PCR reagents in austere settings.
Applications are due by July 24, 2026, Noon Eastern Time. Companies interested in this opportunity should begin preparing immediately because the solicitation uses a competitive three-stage evaluation process beginning with a concise Solution Brief that must demonstrate both strong military relevance and technical merit.
The government is looking for prototype technologies that integrate nucleic acid synthesis, purification, and quality control into a compact system that can safely operate in forward environments with minimal operator training. Proposed solutions should also demonstrate a credible pathway toward military transition and future production.
How much funding would I receive?
Instead, the U.S. Government encourages Offerors to propose budgets that are appropriate for the scope, complexity, and duration of the proposed work. Budgets should include all direct and indirect costs across the full project period and should align with major project deliverables.
MTEC expects to make one or more awards. If no single proposal addresses the complete technical scope, multiple Offerors may be asked to collaborate.
The solicitation also states that, depending on project results, the Government may non-competitively provide additional funding, extend the period of performance, increase project scope, or pursue follow-on efforts through award modifications.
What could I use the funding for?
Funding is intended to support the development of a prototype platform capable of manufacturing clinical-quality nucleic acid primers and probes in forward operational environments. Specifically, proposed projects may include work to:
Develop a fully automated, man-portable, ruggedized manufacturing platform.
Integrate PCR primer and probe synthesis with automated purification and first-line quality control.
Replace traditional hazardous synthesis chemistry with field-stable alternatives.
Design compact instrumentation optimized for reduced size, weight, and power.
Develop systems operable by minimally trained personnel.
Design equipment capable of meeting MIL-STD-810 environmental requirements.
Improve oligonucleotide production speed, yield, and throughput.
Develop purification and verification methods comparable to laboratory gold standards such as HPLC and LCMS.
Demonstrate end-to-end manufacturing workflows that replicate commercial PCR assays.
Produce prototypes for independent government evaluation.
The government is specifically seeking technologies capable of producing sequence-verified, high-purity oligonucleotides from a digital sequence file within hours while operating without reliance on traditional laboratory infrastructure or cold-chain logistics.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
The solicitation identifies several potential advantages beyond the initial award.
If project performance is successful, the Government may:
Provide additional funding.
Increase project scope.
Extend the period of performance.
Award one or more non-competitive follow-on efforts.
Potentially issue a non-competitive follow-on production contract or transaction pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f).
The solicitation also identifies potential follow-on work that may include:
Nonclinical studies supporting regulatory applications.
Quality system development.
Manufacturing process improvements.
Manufacturing scale-up.
Regulatory clearance or approval activities.
Military environmental and operational assessments.
Additional ruggedization.
Advanced technical testing in relevant or simulated operational environments.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
The solicitation follows a three-stage evaluation process.
Request Issue Date
June 24, 2026.
Application Deadline
July 24, 2026, Noon Eastern Time. Solution Briefs must be received by this deadline to be considered. Late submissions may not be accepted.
Stage 1 – Solution Brief
Applicants submit a Solution Brief using the required template. The Government evaluates submissions based on:
Programmatic and technical relevance
Personnel and team expertise
Successful Offerors are invited to the next stage.
Stage 2 – Solution Brief Pitch
Selected Offerors present a virtual pitch to Government evaluators. The pitch expands on the proposed technology, development strategy, commercialization or transition approach, partnerships, military relevance, and competitive advantages. Stage 2 proposals are evaluated based on:
Technical feasibility
Potential for commercialization and transition (identified elsewhere in the solicitation as scalability and sustainment in the stage summary)
Stage 3 – Selection for Award
Offerors selected for award are invited to submit a detailed Cost Proposal before final award negotiations.
Expected Project Start
The solicitation states that Offerors should plan for the Period of Performance to begin December 2026 (subject to change).
Period of Performance
The Period of Performance may not exceed 24 months.
Where does this funding come from?
This Request for Project Proposals (RPP) is issued by the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) in support of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). Strategic oversight will be provided by the Joint Science and Technology Office.
Awards will be made through MTEC's Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for prototype projects (Number W81XWH-15-9-0001) with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC). Successful Offerors will receive funding through a Research Project Award (RPA) issued under the member's MTEC Base Agreement.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible, the prime Offeror must:
Be an MTEC Member in good standing.
Be an MTEC Member in good standing at least three (3) days prior to proposal submission.
Submit a proposal in accordance with the solicitation requirements.
The solicitation also states:
Subcontractors and lower-tier subawardees do not have to be MTEC members.
Organizations that are not currently members may join MTEC before applying.
Who is not eligible to apply?
The solicitation identifies several situations that make an Offeror ineligible.
These include:
Prime Offerors that are not MTEC Members in good standing at least three days before proposal submission.
Proposals that fail to satisfy the statutory requirements governing the use of Other Transaction Authority described in the Proposal Preparation Guide.
Proposals that fail to comply with mandatory submission requirements or required formatting and are eliminated during preliminary screening.
In addition, organizations represented by certain MTEC Officers and Directors are not eligible to submit proposals because those organizations are not MTEC members.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
The solicitation indicates that successful proposals will clearly demonstrate both military relevance and technical merit. It also outlines the characteristics evaluators will consider throughout the selection process.
Projects are likely to be competitive if they:
Directly address the unmet military medical need described in the solicitation.
Present a technically sound and well-supported approach.
Demonstrate strong preliminary data and technical feasibility.
Integrate synthesis, purification, and quality control into a compact field-deployable platform.
Show a clear advantage over existing or emerging solutions.
Include an experienced technical team with relevant facilities and resources.
Present a realistic development strategy and military transition pathway.
Include an effective risk mitigation plan.
Demonstrate the potential to advance technical maturity during the project period.
Show a viable commercialization or Government transition strategy where applicable.
The solicitation also states that merely restating requirements is insufficient. Offerors are expected to clearly explain how their proposed solution satisfies the program objectives and technical requirements.
How competitive will this solicitation be?
This solicitation is expected to be competitive because it uses a three-stage evaluation process that progressively narrows the field of applicants. Only Offerors that perform well during the initial Solution Brief evaluation will be invited to present a Solution Brief Pitch, and only selected Offerors will be invited to submit a full Cost Proposal.
The Government will evaluate proposals using multiple technical and programmatic factors throughout the process. During Stage 1, proposals are evaluated equally on:
Programmatic and Technical Relevance
Personnel and Team Expertise
During Stage 2, proposals are evaluated equally on:
Technical Feasibility
Potential for Commercialization and Transition (identified elsewhere in the solicitation summary as scalability and sustainment)
The solicitation also states that proposals must do more than restate the Government's requirements. Offerors are expected to clearly demonstrate how they will satisfy the technical objectives and reduce performance risk.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Yes. Applicants should be aware of several important administrative and program requirements.
MTEC Membership
Prime Offerors must be MTEC Members in good standing at least three days before proposal submission.
Proposal Format
Solution Briefs must follow the mandatory template and formatting requirements provided in the solicitation. Proposals that fail to meet mandatory formatting requirements may be eliminated during preliminary screening.
Submission Requirements
Solution Briefs must be submitted through the BIDS submission portal before July 24, 2026, Noon Eastern Time. It is the Offeror's responsibility to ensure a complete and timely submission.
Period of Performance
Projects may not exceed 24 months.
Cost Sharing
Cost sharing above the statutory minimum is not required for eligibility. However, proposals must satisfy at least one of the statutory conditions governing the use of Other Transaction Authority as described in the Proposal Preparation Guide. Cost sharing is strongly encouraged.
MTEC Assessment Fee
Recipients of a Research Project Award must pay MTEC an assessment fee equal to 2% of the total funded value of the research project. This fee:
Must be paid within 90 days after execution of the Research Project Award.
May not be charged as a direct project cost.
Intellectual Property
The solicitation states that deliverables are anticipated to be provided to the Government with Government Purpose Rights or unlimited data rights unless different rights are asserted in the proposal and accepted by the Government.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
The solicitation does not specify how long applicants should expect to spend preparing a proposal.
However, applicants should plan sufficient time to:
Confirm or obtain MTEC membership if necessary.
Prepare the required Solution Brief using the mandatory template.
Develop a complete project approach and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate.
Assemble all required supporting documents, including warranties and representations, current and pending support, intellectual property and data rights assertions, and any applicable letters of support.
Submit all required materials through the BIDS portal before July 24, 2026, Noon Eastern Time.
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can help your team develop a competitive application by supporting every stage of the proposal process, including:
Determining whether your technology aligns with the solicitation objectives.
Developing a compliant proposal strategy.
Preparing the required Solution Brief.
Strengthening the technical narrative, military relevance, commercialization strategy, and transition plan.
Developing a defensible project budget and Rough Order of Magnitude cost estimate.
Coordinating teaming partners where appropriate.
Managing proposal production, compliance reviews, and submission.
Early preparation is especially important because this solicitation uses a multi-stage evaluation process beginning with a concise Solution Brief and has a firm application deadline of July 24, 2026, Noon Eastern Time.