Chemical and Biological Defense Program - Dem/Val

The Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBDP) - Advanced Component Development & Prototypes (ACD&P) is a Department of Defense (DoD) initiative under Program Element 0603884BP, focused on advancing technologies and prototypes that enhance U.S. military preparedness and response to chemical and biological (CB) threats. The program is structured around four main portfolios: Understand, Protect, Mitigate, and Enabling Investments. Its overarching objective is to validate high-risk, high-payoff technologies and concepts of operation that can significantly improve warfighter capabilities, ensuring that mature technologies are ready for transition to advanced development and eventual fielding.

Understand (UN4) aims to provide the Joint Force with real-time situational awareness of CB hazards by developing and integrating advanced detection, identification, and diagnostic technologies. Key objectives include rapidly classifying unknown biological threats at early stages of illness and addressing detection and mitigation of new and advanced CB threats. Other efforts include the development of low-cost chemical detectors, integration of CB data into command and control systems, and the advancement of biological sequencing tools to identify engineered or emerging biological agents. The portfolio also supports wearable sensor technologies for physiological monitoring and pathogen characterization studies to inform medical countermeasure (MCM) development.

Protect (PT4) is focused on shielding personnel and equipment from CB hazards through advanced personal protective equipment, medical countermeasures, and collective protection systems. Notable projects include developing monoclonal antibody-based MCMs through clinical trials and leveraging computational tools and artificial intelligence to accelerate drug discovery and reduce development risks. Additional efforts target the rapid development of vaccines, host-directed therapeutics, and fieldable isolation and containment systems for both ground and naval environments. The program collaborates with agencies such as BARDA and DARPA to leverage expertise and infrastructure for rapid response.

Mitigate (MT4) addresses the restoration of combat power and operational capability following CB incidents by developing decontamination systems, broad-spectrum therapeutics, and rapid treatment solutions. Projects include the use of robotics for equipment decontamination and the development of antiviral drugs for multiple virus families. Other initiatives involve the development of oral antivirals, botulinum toxin treatments, and improved nerve agent antidotes. Forward-deployed decontamination capabilities are also provided to minimize mission disruption and personnel risk.

Enabling Investments (EN4) supports the infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities necessary for rapid development and production of MCMs. This includes securing nonclinical models required for FDA approval of new MCMs and enhancing DoD manufacturing platforms and onshoring critical materials. The program also invests in advanced development and manufacturing facilities to ensure priority access and readiness for rapid response to emerging threats.

The CBDP ACD&P program uses a variety of acquisition strategies, including Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements, interagency collaborations, and partnerships with industry and academia. These approaches are designed to accelerate technology maturation, reduce development timelines, and ensure regulatory compliance for products intended for fielding. The program emphasizes flexibility and rapid adaptation to emerging threats, leveraging lessons learned from recent public health emergencies and ongoing technological advancements.