If you or your company are developing a medical countermeasure or platform technology to combat chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats, pandemic influenza or other emerging infectious diseases, you can get insights and strategic advice from HHS/ASPR Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) at a TechWatch meeting.
BARDA TechWatch meetings are your chance to introduce your proposed solution that may meet one or more of BARDA’s current priorities, and are the beginning of an important dialogue.
Get Expert Advice
Participation in the TechWatch program affords companies an opportunity to present their capabilities to experts at BARDA. During the meeting, these experts may:
- Evaluate your product or technology;
- Suggest techniques and strategies for addressing technical and regulatory challenges; or
- Provide insight on how a product or technology may address BARDA's objectives or fit into BARDA’s portfolio or provide suggestions for other prospective partners.
Typically, you will meet with a panel of scientific, technical, and contracting professionals during your meeting that is chosen based on information that you provide. TechWatch meetings usually include |
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BARDA scientific subject matter experts and program managers as well as acquisition professionals. Most meetings last for an hour.
A BARDA TechWatch meeting may also include professionals from other government agencies with related portfolios, such as the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense, or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
5 Ways to Make the Most of Your BARDA TechWatch Meeting
Before you meet with us, take some time to prepare for your meeting. Here are 5 things you can do to make the most of your TechWatch meeting.
- Know your Technology Readiness Level: Evaluate your company’s Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and try to make an accurate assessment of where you are in the process. By providing us with an accurate TRL, we are better able to engage the right subject matter experts.
- Focus on Data: Be prepared to highlight any data you have gathered that supports your proposal. By providing BARDA with clear information at the beginning of the process, we can better help you identify gaps and analyze areas of your proposal that need further consideration prior to the submission of your White Paper under the BARDA Broad Agency Announcement (BAA).
- Know How Your Product Could Integrate with BARDA’s Priorities: Before you come to your TechWatch meeting, know how your product can help address a key threat or gap. Many of these program areas are articulated in the BARDA BAA and the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasure Enterprise Strategy and Implementation Plan. However, BARDA’s priorities are subject to change, especially in the event of a disaster, infectious disease outbreak, or other public health emergency.
- Explain How Your Product Is Unique: If BARDA has supported similar products in the past, be ready to explain how your product is different from other products that are already in BARDA’s portfolio. To learn more about BARDA’s existing programs, see the BARDA Portfolio or check out presentations from past BARDA Industry Days.
- Consider Your Path to Regulatory Approval: If your final goal is to develop a medical countermeasure that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, be prepared to discuss your plan to address the regulatory pathway for your product. Don’t worry about having all of the answers up front, but be ready to demonstrate that you have seriously considered this critical aspect of developing a medical countermeasure.
- Bring your questions: BARDA TechWatch can also serve as an opportunity to talk about challenges, and dialogue with subject matter experts about how best to further develop your product or technology.
Complete a TechWatch Meeting before Responding to the BARDA BAA Offerors are strongly encouraged to participate in the TechWatch program prior to any White Paper or Full Proposal submissions under the BARDA Broad Agency Announcement (BAA).
Companies who participate in a TechWatch meeting prior to responding to the BARDA BAA have a better understanding of BARDA’s priorities and are able to benefit from the strategies and other information discussed during the TechWatch meeting. Ultimately, companies or organizations that complete a TechWatch meeting are more likely to have a successful White Paper submission.
Entities with a White Paper or proposal currently under review for any ASPR solicitation are not eligible to schedule a TechWatch meeting related to that submission.
Request a BARDA TechWatch Meeting
Requesting a BARDA TechWatch meeting is easy, just register via MedicalCountermeasures.gov and provide some basic information on the product that you are developing, including the threat agent or area you are addressing and the Technology Readiness Level, and the persons who will be attending the meeting from your company or organization.
Questions About the BARDA TechWatch Program?
Please contact TechWatchInbox@hhs.gov.
