US Army Invitation to Collaboration Day

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS (RFQ); IT IS STRICTLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) TO INVITE INDUSTRY AND OTHER POTIENAL COLLABORATORS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ACADEMIA, SMALL BUSINESSES, LARGE BUSINESSES AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. FOR A ONE-DAY MEETING. 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.

Collaboration Day - Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) Pilot BioProduction Facility (PBF). This forum is to generate, exchange, seek innovative concepts and solutions for the operation of the WRAIR PBF located in Silver Spring, MD which supports Phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials Good Manufacturing Program (GMP) vaccines, biologics and therapeutics.

Date: 7 December 2018

Location:
VHA National Conference Center
2011 Crystal Drive
Crystal City, Virginia 22202

1.0 BACKGROUND: The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) Pilot BioProduction Facility (PBF) is undergoing a facility renovation. The PBF vision is to be a world class facility that actively maintains current cutting edge scientific research techniques and equipment. The PBF will be a state-of-the-art facility fostering innovation and collaboration among industry, government, and innovators. Collaborators will work with WRAIR and other non-WRAIR scientists to drive innovation in areas such as novel therapeutic modalities to advances in research and manufacturing of therapeutics. The PBF would then research processes needed and manufacture raw materials for use in preclinical and clinical trial studies within or outside of WRAIR. The WRAIR will be hosting a Collaboration Day.

2.0 OBJECTIVE:
The overall goal of this open forum is for the generation and exchange of bi-directional dialogue with respect to the Government's requirement, current technology, industry standards and capabilities to seek innovative concepts and solutions for the renovated and redesigned PBF. These ideas will be used to inform, develop and refine WRAIR's requirements which will lead to the proper procurement vehicle for the future operation of the PBF.

3.0 SCOPE OF FORUM:

The discussions will include the following:

1. Intellectual Property Flexibility
2. Facility Capacity, Cost Sharing and Cash Flow Split
3. Surge Capacity
4. Strategic Alignment
5. Economic Geography Strategy
6. Business Development
7. Research Training
8. Agreements
9. Production
10. Production Flexibility
11. Platform Technologies
12. Compliance and Validation
13. New Research and Production Facilities

4.0 INVITATION: To receive an invitation to this event please provide a quad chart that addresses current innovations and facility operations in the area for Phase 1, 2 and 3 research and manufacturing of vaccines, biologics and therapeutics for clinical trials; potential questions to be answered by WRAIR; including who would attend from your team and what role they play by 30 November 2018 to usarmy.detrick.medcom-wrair.mbx.research-programs-office@mail.mil with the Subject Line of: PBF Collaboration Day.

5.0 DISCLAIMER: This Special Notice Announcement is issued solely for market research 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 Special Notice Announcement. Responses to this announcement 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 Announcement. All information received in response to this Announcement that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the Announcement will not be returned. At this time, questions concerning the composition and requirements for a future award will not be entertained.