REQUEST FOR WHITE PAPERS BAA TOPIC: Topic 13. Biotechnology, Controlling polymicrobial environments as a strategy for defeating harmful organisms while promoting the growth of beneficial organisms

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) W911QY-25-R-0023 SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE REQUEST FOR WHITE PAPERS BAA TOPIC: Topic 13. Biotechnology, Controlling polymicrobial environments as a strategy for defeating harmful organisms while promoting the growth of beneficial organisms Introduction Applications to the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (FY26-27) Biotechnology Topic Area are being solicited by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center (SC) Soldier Effectiveness Directorate (SED) Biological Science & Technology Branch. Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911QY-25-R-0023 was publicized on SAM.gov on 03 March 2025. This Sources Sought Notice calls for White Paper submissions in reference to the research within the BAA Topic 13. Biotechnology, Controlling polymicrobial environments as a strategy for defeating harmful organisms while promoting the growth of beneficial organisms section. The BAA W911QY-25-R-0023, issued under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provision 6.102(d)(2), provides for the competitive selection of proposals. Proposals submitted in response to this BAA and selected for award are considered the result of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of Public Law 98-369, The Competition in Contracting Act of 1984, and subsequent amendments. The type of research solicited under this BAA attempts to increase knowledge in science and/or to advance the state of the art as compared to practical application of knowledge. Funding of research and development (R&D) within DEVCOM-SC-SED areas of interest will be determined by funding constraints and priorities set during each budget cycle. Awards related to the submission of White Papers requested by this Notice are subject to funds availability and priorities. DEVCOM-SC-SED may choose not to select any new awards due to unavailability of funds or other factors. The sequence of steps leading to award is: (1) Request for White Paper initiated, (2) All concept papers, proposals, and administrative inquiries should be submitted to: U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center DEVCOM SC ATTN: FCDD-SCD-EXA (Mr. Matthew Whipple or Ms. Jennifer Rourke) General Greene Avenue Natick, MA 01760-5020 TEL: (508) 206-3803 (Mr. Whipple) or (508) 206-3853 (Ms. Rourke) Email: usarmy.natick.devcom-sc.mbx.osi-spod@army.mil (3) Written or telephonic feedback provided to the Offeror regarding the White Paper s scientific merit and potential contributions to the Army mission as per established criteria presented in this announcement, (4) Request of a formal proposal(s) submission initiated by POC, if the White Paper merits a proposal request, (5) Submission of a timely, formal proposal(s), (6) Evaluation of the formal proposal from criteria noted in BAA solicitation W911QY-25-R-0023, and (7) Contract or grant award for selected proposal(s) based on availability of funds or other factors. This sequence allows earliest determination of the potential for funding and minimizes the labor and additional costs associated with submission of full proposals that have minimal probability of being selected for funding. BAA W911QY-25-R-0023 allows several potential instrument types (e.g., contract, grant, cooperative agreement) to result from a successful proposal. For this Notice, the intention of the Government is to award a BAA contract. Note that interested Offerors must submit a White Paper electronically to be eligible to submit a formal proposal under this Notice. This Notice requires that White Papers be submitted electronically no later than 31 August 2026, 5:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). See Part V, Deadlines, for additional details. THOSE SUBMITTING WHITE PAPERS/PROPOSALS ARE CAUTIONED THAT ONLY A GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING OR GRANTS OFFICER CAN OBLIGATE THE GOVERNMENT TO ANY AGREEMENT INVOLVING EXPENDITURE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS. This Sources Sought Notice for White Papers consists of five parts as follows: Background and Introduction Part I: Research Objectives Part II: Preparation, Submission, Evaluation Criteria, Review and Selection Process Part III: Feedback Part IV: Deadlines Part V: Inquiries Technical POC(s): Steven Arcidiacono (steven.m.arcidiacono.civ@army.mil) Ids Pantoja Feliciano de Goodfellow (ida.g.pantojafeliciano.civ @army.mil) 15 General Greene Avenue Natick, MA 01760-5020 TEL: (520) 714-3235 (Mr. Arcidiacono) or (520) 713-8083 (Dr. Pantoja Feliciano) BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a significant issue affecting female Warfighter performance and operational readiness in austere environments (deployed or training scenarios that lack shower and laundering facilities). Incident rates are >30%, with 12% having recurrent infections. Current mitigation strategies, including training to maintain good hygiene practices and sufficient hydration levels are insufficient for preventing UTIs. The current solution is for early detection and treatment with antibiotics. A proposed alternative preventative approach is to use hygiene wipes impregnated with bacteriophage (phage) that target UTI causing E. coli, the cause of 80% of cases. Unlike antibiotics that have wide spectrum activity, phage has targeted activity and will not harm beneficial organisms needed for good urogenital health. Project seeks to design and test wipe formulation suitable for phage hygiene products, specifically wipes, that maintain activity under extreme thermal conditions. Once a formula is identified and passes all necessary testing, prototype wipe packages will be assembled for testing. Soldier Center has identified a phage cocktail having suitable activity and stability in lab-based solutions and is testing potential formulation components used for topical skin application for maintenance of titer and stability. Various components include phage storage buffer solutions, preservatives, potentiators, emollients, humectants and other additives utilized cosmetic products. I. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES DEVCOM Soldier Center (SC) is requesting design, development and testing a phage friendly formulation for prototype cosmetic phage hygiene wipes. Phage formulation properties will include maintenance of thermal stability and possess suitable properties for manufacture of prototype cosmetic products (Table 1). Components must not inhibit or otherwise reduce phage titer during storage, including at elevated temperature (45oC) for 4 weeks. Table 1. Formulation component information. Inclusion Criteria Exclusion Criteria SM based solution with pH 7-7.5 Excluded preservatives: compounds requiring low pH ( 1E8 PFU/ml), phage buffer (pH 7 to 7.5), stabilizer(s), preservative(s)/enhancer, moisturizer(s) (humectants/emollients). Number of units: 50 soft packs of 15 wipes per pack with phage in optimized formulation, 50 soft packs of 15 wipes containing formulation only. Prototypes to be delivered to SC overnight on ice. Wipes requirements made of natural/cellulosic material compatible with phage viability dimensions: 17 x 17 cm Packaging packaged in phage friendly material. multi-count (15 wipes/pack) resealable pouch pouch dimensions: 9 x 14 cm Regulatory process: Establish that the product meets Modernization of Cosmetic Regulation Act Compliance (MoCRA) specifications: Preservative Challenge Testing: ensures the product remains free from of bacterial, yeast and mold contamination during storage Ingredients Toxicity Study safety assessment determining toxicity of individual ingredients in the formula from published studies and assessment in safety in cosmetic products II. PREPARATION, SUBMISSION, EVALUATION CRITERIA, REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS Preparation & Submission: The process of execution begins with White Paper evaluation and a down-selection process. From among the white papers submitted, the Government will notify the Offeror if their White Paper is selected and a full proposal formally request. The full proposals undergo a full scientific review and programmatic review prior to being funded. The white paper must inlcude an anticipated period of performance, a technical description of the proposed concepts, the technical objectives, and a planned approach to accomplish the stated objectives as well as a rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost per year. The ROM cost should consist of the total cost-plus profit/fee/overhead. It is anticipated that only one contract will be awarded for this effort. Requests for offers of conference or symposium support, consultant services, engineering and/or marketing services, and/or training support will not be considered under this announcement. Only concepts for research/exploratory development will be considered. All concept papers, proposals and administrative inquiries should be submitted to U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, usarmy.natick.devcom-sc.mbx.osi-spod@army.mil White Papers shall not exceed five (5) 8 x 11-inch pages of computerized text at 12 pitch (including charts, graphs, photographs, etc.) and…