Emerging Technologies Opportunity Program (ETOP) 2026 - Development of an automated system for plant tissue culture and transformation

The University of California, on behalf of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), has issued Request for Proposal (RFP) No. PTC-ETOP-2026 seeking the development of an automated system for plant tissue culture and transformation. This contract opportunity targets the automation of selecting embryogenic portions of plant calluses, transferring them to fresh media, and monitoring their growth toward scalability targets aligned with Department of Energy (DOE) biomass crops. The solicitation invites offerors to submit proposals by June 1, 2026, with a structured evaluation process emphasizing technical capabilities, scalability, automation levels, transferability of technology to the Joint Genome Institute (JGI), and compliance with detailed business and financial requirements. The estimated contract ceiling is $2 million, and proposals must include multiple documentation elements such as representations and certifications, cost proposals in Excel format, and required attestations on accounting and timekeeping systems. Proposals will be evaluated on a trade-off basis considering technical merit, business volume factors, compliance with subcontract terms, and cost realism rather than lowest price. Mandatory minimum technical criteria include demonstrating applicability to DOE’s biomass crops, throughput scalability of at least 10,000 calluses per day, and achieving regeneration rates of 75% or higher. Desired features focus on achieving 80% or more automation of workflow steps and ease of technology transfer with limited required expertise. Business factors require offerors to accept the Sample Subcontract terms without unmitigated exceptions or provide detailed risk justifications. Additional contract requirements emphasize sustainability compliance—including prohibitions on foam and single-use plastics in packaging—environmentally responsible waste management, and DOE barcode labeling for government-furnished property. Invoicing procedures are electronic via email with specific format restrictions, and no explicit government contact roles or detailed FAR clause listings have been provided, though key clauses like Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action are referenced. Overall, this solicitation mandates rigorous technical, financial, and regulatory standards aimed at fostering innovative, scalable automation technologies for plant transformation within a DOE research context.