FLASH Act of 2025

House Votes

This bill lets the federal health agency’s advanced research office move faster to design, test, buy, and scale up medical supplies during health threats. It allows the agency to go from a successful prototype to full production with the same partners without running a new competition, if the original selection used competition. It also lets the agency quickly buy items for testing and development—like tests, reagents, parts, and protective gear—when needed for national public health and security.

The bill also creates a faster way to buy new commercial products and services through an open call for proposals with peer review, and treats that process as competitive. For awards over $100 million, the agency must make a written finding that the purchase meets its mission needs, use fixed-price contracts, and notify Congress within 45 days with details about the award, the product or service, the problem it addresses, the amount, and the contractor.

• Who is affected: The federal health agency (BARDA), companies with innovative medical products or services, and communities that rely on quick access to medical supplies during outbreaks or emergencies.
• What changes: Faster shift from prototype to full production, quicker purchasing for testing, and the ability to use an open call for innovative products—with added safeguards for very large awards .
• When: The text does not specify dates beyond changing current law to add these powers.