DOD Reconstructive Transplant Clinical Network Award | HT9425 23 RTRP CNA

Opportunity Information: Apply for HT9425 23 RTRP CNA

The DOD Reconstructive Transplant Clinical Network Award is a Department of Defense research funding opportunity run through the Department of the Army (USAMRAA) under the Reconstructive Transplant Research Program (RTRP). Its goal is to stand up and operate a coordinated clinical network for reconstructive transplantation research by funding a single lead entity that serves as the Clinical Network Coordinating Center. This Coordinating Center is expected to function as the hub for network-wide planning and information flow, and to provide the practical infrastructure needed to run the network, including administrative management, operational coordination, and centralized data management so that clinical network activities can be executed consistently and on schedule across participating sites.

A defining feature of this opportunity is the award instrument: instead of a traditional grant or cooperative agreement, FY22 uses a Research Other Transaction Award (rOTA) authorized under 10 USC 4021. The rOTA structure is intended for non-duplicative basic, applied, or advanced research rather than purchasing goods or services for direct government use. The anticipated deliverables to the government are research reports and related documentation rather than prototype development. Another key element is that the agreement is negotiated after selection; the government provides baseline terms in a draft agreement, but final terms and conditions are expected to be set through negotiations with the presumptive awardee following application evaluation.

The rOTA also brings specific participation and cost-sharing expectations. Resource sharing is required, with the government aiming, to the maximum extent practicable, not to provide more funding than the combined total contributed by other parties. Applicants therefore must explain how they will bring meaningful resources to the table, which can include both cash and non-cash contributions (for example, in-kind services, staff time, facilities, access to clinical capabilities, data systems, medication support, or rehabilitation services). The mechanism is explicitly designed to encourage strong cross-sector collaboration and to use business practices that help align incentives across different types of organizations.

In addition, DOD policy for rOTAs requires for-profit involvement either in conducting the research or in the commercial application of the research outcomes. Practically, that means an applicant consortium is expected to include, collaborate with, or otherwise involve one or more for-profit entities alongside universities, nonprofits, and potentially state or local government partners. The solicitation notes examples such as pharmaceutical companies supporting medication needs or rehabilitation clinics providing services to transplant recipients. For this particular award, the required for-profit participation can occur in Phase 1, Phase 2, or both, giving teams some flexibility in how they structure partnerships over time.

Funding is planned at up to $13 million total over six years, contingent on the availability of appropriations. The program is organized as a single award executed in two phases. Phase 1 lasts up to two years and supports Coordinating Center startup and early execution activities, with up to $3 million in RTRP funding for Coordinating Center costs. Phase 2 lasts up to four additional years, with up to $10 million in RTRP funding to cover both Coordinating Center costs and Network Site costs. Importantly, Phase 2 funding is not automatic; it depends on successful completion of Phase 1 objectives as well as the availability of funds.

Operationally, the Coordinating Center is expected to manage the broader network budget during Phase 1 and Phase 2 by issuing subawards to Network Sites for reimbursable work and by supporting other key collaborators as needed. In other words, although there is only one prime award, the intent is to enable a multi-site network through a hub-and-spoke structure, with the Coordinating Center coordinating performance, handling data and operational standards, and distributing funds to participating sites through subaward agreements.

Administratively, the opportunity is listed as discretionary funding with an "Other" instrument type, in the science and technology / research and development category (CFDA 12.420). Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type) subject to the specific requirements stated in the announcement, especially those tied to rOTA cost-sharing and for-profit participation. The opportunity number is HT9425 23 RTRP CNA, and the solicitation timeline shown includes a creation date of December 9, 2022 and an original closing date of February 1, 2023. The announcement anticipates making one award, reflecting the single-Coordinating-Center model.

• The Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DOD Reconstructive Transplant Clinical Network Award" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.420.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 09, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 01, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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