TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: EcoFite
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
EcoFite is a专利 pending and PCT filed microbial formulation developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory to enhance crop resilience and productivity through a curated consortium of beneficial bacteria. Designed for both greenhouse and open-field applications, the technology is currently validated at Technology Readiness Level 5-6 with active trials on tomatoes, lettuce, and sorghum in northern New Mexico and western Texas. The formulation promotes plant growth by improving nutrient uptake, stimulating root and shoot development, activating plant immune responses, synchronizing flowering, and enriching soil microbial activity through the release of beneficial metabolites. It is delivered via seed coating or foliar spray, is compatible with organic certification standards, and functions across diverse soil types and crop species, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides while enhancing tolerance to drought, salinity, and temperature extremes. Beyond yield improvements, EcoFite contributes to healthier soil ecosystems and supports carbon sequestration, making it suited for conventional, regenerative, and organic farming systems. The U.S. Department of Energy, through its Triad contractor, is seeking licensing partners to advance EcoFite from current field validation stages toward commercial deployment. The opportunity, issued under solicitation number S-167659 and classified as a special notice, targets industry collaborators capable of scaling production to commercial volumes, expanding field trials to additional crops and geographies, and co-developing integrated application systems. The technology is not offered as a procurement of goods or services but as a licensing opportunity, with no set-aside provisions and NAICS code 325320 applicable to biological product manufacturing. Proposals must be submitted by September 30, 2026, through licensing@lanl.gov, with Los Alamos, New Mexico as the primary place of performance. The formulation’s versatility, compatibility with existing agricultural infrastructure, and strong early performance data position it as a scalable biostimulant solution meeting growing global demand for sustainable crop inputs.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Response Deadline
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
EcoFite: Microbial Formulation for Resilient Crop Performance
A versatile microbial consortium that enhances plant productivity and stress tolerance across greenhouse and field applications
Technology Readiness Level 5-6
EcoFite is being validated in active greenhouse and field trials on tomatoes, lettuce, and sorghum in northern New Mexico and western Texas.
IP Information: This technology is patent pending and PCT filed.
Overview
Modern agriculture faces persistent challenges including declining soil fertility, extreme weather, and rising input costs. EcoFite is a biologically based alternative that addresses these issues using a consortium of beneficial bacteria to promote plant growth, improve nutrient access, and enhance resilience to stressors like salinity and drought. Designed for flexible application, EcoFite can be
delivered as a seed coating or foliar spray. Current trials include lettuce, sorghum, and tomatoes under both greenhouse and field conditions, with promising early results across diverse crop types.
Advantages
• Enhances crop yield, stress tolerance, and growth consistency
• Reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides
• Improves nutrient use efficiency beyond nitrogen-based inputs
• Increases tolerance to drought, salinity, and temperature fluctuations
• Promotes healthier soil microbiomes and soil carbon sequestration
• Compatible with organic agriculture practices and application systems
• Enables growers to apply via multiple delivery methods for operational flexibility and ease of use
Technology Description
EcoFite is a curated microbial consortium developed using LANL’s rational design platform for microbial communities. The selected endophytes colonize internal plant tissue and promote performance through multiple mechanisms including enhanced nutrient uptake, stimulated growth, immune system activation, accelerated/synchronized flowering, and the release of plant metabolites that enrich soil microbial activity. The formulation is compatible with organic systems and can be adapted to meet crop-specific needs. Its ability to operate across soil types and plant species supports wide adoption for both conventional and regenerative agricultural systems.
Market Applications
EcoFite addresses the growing need for scalable, biologically based crop support tools. The formulation can benefit:
• greenhouse growers looking to maximize space and resource efficiency;
• open-field producers seeking to reduce chemical inputs and water use;
• organic farmers needing multi-pathway biostimulants compatible with certified systems; and
• seed companies and input providers aiming to expand their microbial product portfolios.
Contact Information:
For inquiries, contact FCI at licensing@lanl.gov.
LA-UR-25-27105
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