Development of Light-Responsive Artificial Cells using Plant-Based Photoreceptor Systems

About this funding opportunity

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) has a requirement to research advanced foundational science in the synthetic biology domain. The goal is to leverage high-throughput protein engineering and AI-assisted structural refinement to create programmable, pseudo-living systems responsive to environmental light stimuli. This project will address a key challenge by integrating unique photoreceptor systems evolved in plants into artificial cell platforms.

ERDC-CERL intends to award a contract for services with competition restricted to Bioconscientia, LLC. in accordance with RFO FAR 12.102(a). The anticipated award date is 09/30/2026.

Bioconscientia, LLC is determined to be the only source apable of fulfilling the government's requirement for highly specialized scientific and technical services required of the government research team. The team at Bioconscientia LLC has unique technical experience and familiarity with UVR8 photoreceptor systems, and the proven ability of these systems to sense UV-B light in a distinct manner. The Bioconscientia team possesses core knowledge of the complex foundational research and experimental data regarding UVR8, and is the only source readily able to further that research into new areas. Replication of such expertise would require many months, if not years, of literature review and independent laboratory experimentation, which would result in significant schedule delays for performance of the government research program which is already in action.

This is a presolicitation notice posted in accordance with RFO FAR Part 5.101(a). It is NOT a solicitation or a request for competitive quotations. This is not a set-aside of any kind. Any interested party that belieives they should be considered as capable of fulfilling this requirement should submit a capability statement of their related products or services to be reviewed for technical content. Information received will be considered solely ofr the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete the requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All submissions will be considered, however there is no guarantee that submissions in response to this notice will in any way alter the Government's acquisition strategy.

Please provide responses to this notice no later than the time listed above in this notice, to: CERL-CT-QUOTES@USACE.ARMY.MIL.

Telephone responses will not be accepted.

Topic areas: General and Cross-cutting R&D, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and Health.

Funding amount

This contract provides Varies in funding.

Deadline

Applications are due Jul 31, 2026. Confirm the exact closing time on the official program page before applying.

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to the following applicant types:

• SME
• MidCaps
• Large Company
• Startups
• University
• Research Organization
• NGOs
• Public Authorities

Eligibility

No Set aside used

Agency

Development of Light-Responsive Artificial Cells using Plant-Based Photoreceptor Systems is administered by Department Of Defense (DOD), listed via SAM.gov.