The IBx Connect Process

If your company or organization is developing a technology or product or has one available that could help create or foster a more resilient medical industrial base, consider starting a dialogue with ASPR through IBx Connect.

IBx Connect meetings are for market research purposes only and are not considered submissions for potential funding.

Step 1: Review the IBx Connect Areas of Interest 

Before submitting your request, review the IBx Connect priorities for ​products and technologies. ASPR is looking to start a dialogue on advanced manufacturing of drug substances and drug products, supply chain optimization (through data analytics, process analysis, modeling, business intelligence, advanced planning techniques), PPE manufacturing, and testing and diagnostics. 

Step 2: Ensure your Eligibility to Meet with IBx Connect

Entities with a White Paper or proposal currently under review for any ASPR solicitation, including the BARDA Broad Agency Announcement, the BARDA EZ BAA, or any Department of Defense solicitation being executed on HHS’ behalf are not eligible to request an IBx Connect meeting related to that submission. If you have questions regarding your eligibility, contact the IBx Connect team.

Step 3: Apply to meet with ASPR through IBx Connect

Submit your request for a meeting with ASPR through IBx Connect. Please ensure your meeting request contains sufficient detail to enable our experts to evaluate your request, but do not submit any proprietary or trade secret information.

• Do not submit multiple requests for the same product or technology.

Step 4: Evaluation of Submission

The IBx Connect team will evaluate your request. If the IBx Connect team determines that your solution could be a good fit, we will contact you via email to schedule a meeting.  If not, a member of our team will notify you by email that your request has not been accepted.

Step 5: Meeting with the IBx Team

IBx Connect meetings are held as interactive webinars only with the ability to interactively display slides and manuscripts submitted by your company or organization as part of your meeting request.

Typically, you will meet with a panel of scientific, technical, and contracting professionals that are chosen based on information you provide. IBx Connect meetings include ASPR scientific subject matter experts and program managers as well as acquisition professionals.  An IBx Connect meeting may also include professionals from other federal agencies with shared equities, such as the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the General Services Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Although not required, meetings generally have two phases. The first is a presentation from the meeting requestor to ASPR representatives, which is informal and highly interactive. The second phase is a discussion among the participants, both presenters and panelists. Scientific subject matter experts from ASPR, including BARDA, and other partner agencies and contracting officers will attend. Additional details will be provided at the time a meeting is scheduled. Most meetings last one hour, offering participants time for an in-depth discussion of the product or technology. To find out what you can do to make the most of your meeting, check out the IBx Factors for Success.