BARDA DRIVe — Division of Research, Innovation and Ventures

Who qualifies

• U.S.-based company — for-profit companies of all sizes may apply, but DRIVe explicitly targets early-stage and non-traditional companies, including pre-revenue startups.
• Technology must address BARDA's mission areas: pandemic preparedness, emerging health security threats, diagnostics, medical countermeasures (vaccines, therapeutics, devices), or biodefense.
• No SBIR eligibility requirement — DRIVe is a separate program that accepts companies that have never done federal contracting before (making it more accessible than SBIR to non-defense startups).
• SAM.gov UEI registration required before contract execution (can register after initial selection — SAM.gov is not needed to submit initial solution brief).
• Company must be sufficiently mature to perform the proposed work — DRIVe requires demonstrated proof-of-concept, not just an idea. TRL 3–6 is the typical sweet spot.
• International subsidiary companies or U.S. subsidiaries of foreign entities may have additional review requirements under national security review protocols.

Hard requirements

• Must be incorporated

What it covers

How to apply

1. 1

   Review current DRIVe calls for solutions

   Visit drive.hhs.gov/solutions to view current open calls. Each call specifies the health challenge area and technical requirements. Sign up for email alerts. DRIVe also runs prize challenges (e.g., the Shark Tank-style DRIVe Innovation Challenge) where companies pitch to BARDA reviewers directly.

   ~4 hrs

2. 2

   Submit a solution brief (non-binding, low-barrier first step)

   Initial submission is a 2–4 page solution brief describing your technology, team, and relevance to the call topic. No full proposal required at this stage. DRIVe reviews briefs and responds within 60 days — either declining, requesting a meeting, or advancing to a more detailed proposal request. This is much lower barrier than SBIR Phase I.

   ~4 hrs

3. 3

   Technical deep-dive meeting with DRIVe program managers

   If selected after brief review, schedule a technical meeting (typically 60–90 minutes) with DRIVe's program staff. This is a two-way evaluation — they assess your technology and team; you assess whether their contract terms and milestone structure fit your roadmap. Bring a prototype, data, or demonstrable proof of concept.

   ~4 hrs

4. 4

   Negotiate OTA contract terms and milestones

   If both parties proceed, DRIVe negotiates an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract. OTA contracts are faster and more flexible than SBIR — no FAR requirements, IP-friendly terms, and milestones designed around commercial viability. Negotiations typically take 30–90 days. Register in SAM.gov before execution.

   ~4 hrs

5. 5

   Execute milestones and pursue follow-on

   Deliver on technical milestones. DRIVe program managers check in regularly (not just at deliverable dates). Successful milestone completion positions your company for follow-on DRIVe funding and potential larger BARDA contracts. DRIVe graduates have gone on to receive $50M–$500M BARDA advanced development contracts.

   ~4 hrs

Industry & certifications

NAICS codes: 325411, 325412, 325414, 339112, 541511, 621

Deadline & timing

DRIVe issues calls for solutions on a rolling basis through its Solutions page and periodic prize challenges. There is no single annual deadline. Sign up for DRIVe email alerts at drive.hhs.gov. Active challenges and calls for solutions are typically 30–90 day windows. The DRIVe approach is designed to be faster than SBIR — initial response to solutions submissions is typically within 60 days.

Programs that stack well

• SBIR Phase I — NIH (PHS Omnibus)
• SBIR Phase II — NIH (PHS Omnibus)
• FDA Novel Approaches to Support Therapeutic Development in Ultra-Rare Cancers
• CDFI Program — Financial Assistance and Technical Assistance Awards

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