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

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding RFP No. PTC-ETOP-2026, clarifying various administrative, contractual, and technical requirements.

• Collaborative Structure: Multi-disciplinary teams and collaborations are encouraged, but the award amount ($1M max per year for up to 2 years) remains fixed and must be divided among partners. Lower-tier subcontractors are considered "other direct costs."
• Purchasing Policies: Offerors must provide purchasing policies and procedures if their proposal includes purchases of $50,000.00 or more, unless they have a federally-approved purchasing system.
• International Partners: International partners are allowed, subject to federal regulations, export controls, and OFAC sanctions. LBNL will accept federally approved negotiated indirect rates. If no such rate exists, a de minimis rate of up to 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC) may be used (excluding specific cost categories).
• Imaging Techniques: While fluorescent labels can be used during development, the JGI requires label-free techniques for the final products/system.
• Sample Availability: The JGI can provide standardized callus samples for system calibration and testing.
• Callus Manipulator Sterilization: Sterilization is required between plates and when switching between crops, but not necessarily between individual calli on the same plate.
• Training Data: The JGI does not have an annotated data set for AI approaches; offerors are expected to generate and annotate their own.
• Media Viscosity: The current media is viscous (0.2% Phytagel), which may help prevent callus movement during handling.
• LIMS System: JGI has an existing LIMS system (L7's Enterprise Science Platform).

This Q&A document clarifies key aspects of the solicitation, potentially impacting proposal strategy regarding team composition, cost proposals, and technical approach. Offerors should review these responses carefully to ensure their proposals align with the clarified requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides instructions for subcontractors regarding the submission of insurance certificates. It outlines the requirements for obtaining and submitting insurance coverage, including types of insurance, minimum dollar limits, and notification procedures for changes or cancellations.

• Subcontractors must obtain required insurance coverage prior to commencing work at a site other than their own facilities.
• Insurance certificates, endorsements, and policy pages confirming coverage must be submitted.
• Minimum dollar limits for each insurance type must meet or exceed subcontract specifications.
• Liability insurance should generally be written on a "per occurrence" basis.
• Subcontractors must provide at least 30 days' advance written notification of any modification, change, or cancellation of insurance coverage.
• Replacement insurance certificates are required if policies expire before subcontract completion.
• It is preferred that insurance certificates are not made applicable to a specific subcontract, but can be applied to future subcontracts.

This document is crucial for potential bidders to understand the insurance requirements that will be stipulated in the subcontract. It details the types of insurance needed, the minimum coverage amounts, and the process for submitting documentation, which are essential considerations for proposal preparation and cost estimation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This Excel workbook, "5. Sample Cost Proposal.xlsx", provides a template and instructions for bidders to submit their cost proposals for the opportunity. It is intended to guide vendors in detailing their proposed costs across various categories for Year 1 and Year 2 of the project.

• Instructions Sheet: Outlines general guidelines for completing the workbook, emphasizing that only cells with blue text should be edited. It details requirements for inputting data related to personnel (salaries, FTE, escalation factors, including formulas for validation), fringe benefits (rates and support), travel (itemized itineraries and cost estimates), supplies/materials, contractual costs, other direct costs, and indirect costs.
• Year 1 & Year 2 Sheets: These sheets are structured for bidders to input their proposed costs for each respective year. They include categories for Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel, Supplies/Materials, Contractual, Other Direct Costs, Equipment, and Indirect Costs. Bidders must provide supporting documentation for proposed rates and costs.
• Travel Sheet: A dedicated sheet for itemizing proposed travel costs, including details on origin, destination, purpose, number of trips, people, days, lodging, per diem, airfare, and miscellaneous expenses.
• Total Sheet: Consolidates the cost breakdowns from Year 1 and Year 2 to present a project total.

This document is critical for bidders as it dictates the format and content required for their cost proposals. Adhering to the instructions and accurately populating the template with supporting data is essential for a compliant and competitive submission. Bidders must ensure formulas are included for validation as specified in the instructions.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a subcontract agreement between The Regents of the University of California and LBNL TEMPORARY VENDOR. It outlines the terms and conditions for research work, specifically the development of an automated system for identification, selection, and removal of embryogenic portions of calluses.

• Scope of Work: Development of an automated system for callus identification, selection, and removal, including tracking growth and health.
• Contracting Parties: The Regents of the University of California (University) and LBNL TEMPORARY VENDOR (Subcontractor).
• Prime Contract: Issued under Prime Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231 with the U.S. Government (DOE).
• Period of Performance: Effective from a specified DATE with a completion date on or before another specified DATE.
• Estimated Cost: $XXXXXX, which is the limit of the University's liability.
• Funding: Incrementally funded, subject to the Limitation of Funds clause.
• Reporting: Requires intermediate and final reports detailing efforts, results, and conclusions.
• Insurance: Specific insurance types and minimum limits are required.
• Site Access: Requirements for LBNL site access, including acceptable forms of identification.
• Property: Details on University Furnished Property and Subcontractor Acquired Property.
• Sustainability: Requirements for environmentally preferable products and services.

This document defines the contractual framework, scope of work, financial terms, reporting obligations, and compliance requirements for the subcontracted research. Potential bidders should review these details to understand the specific deliverables, performance expectations, and contractual obligations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Preaward Survey of Prospective Subcontractor's Cost Accounting System" form. It is used by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to assess whether a prospective subcontractor's cost accounting system is adequate for proposed subcontracts. Subcontractors must have a system capable of accumulating costs by subcontract/task, including adequate timekeeping and substantiation of hours.

• Section A: Assesses recent government review/acceptance of the cost accounting system and purchasing system. Requires submission of approval documents or policies based on specific conditions.
• Section B: Details requirements for the cost accounting system, including general ledger control, project/job order accounting, segregation of direct/indirect costs, indirect cost allocation, interim cost determination, exclusion of unallowable costs, and data for cost projections.
• Section C: Details requirements for the timekeeping and labor distribution system, including charging labor to appropriate cost objectives, employee/supervisor responsibilities, employee certification of time, accounting for total work hours, and reconciliation of costs with payments.

Prospective subcontractors must complete this form to demonstrate the adequacy of their accounting and timekeeping systems. "No" answers require narrative explanations and submission of supporting documentation (procedures, reports, policies). Failure to have an adequate system may impact the ability to be awarded a subcontract. Bidders should review the specific requirements in Sections B and C to ensure their systems comply or to prepare necessary documentation for any exceptions.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a mandatory form for developing a Small Business Subcontracting Plan, as required by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.219-9 and 52.219-8. Bidders must use this specific form; substitutions will result in rejection of their plan. It outlines requirements for detailing subcontracting goals and procedures.

• Basic Information: Requires details such as LBNL Subcontract Number, Subcontract Amount, Period of Performance, Offeror/Subcontractor Name, and contact information.
• Subcontracting Goals (Part I): Requires bidders to establish planned dollar and percentage goals for various small business categories (SDBs, WOSBs, HUBZone SBs, SDVOSBs, All SB Concerns), referencing SBA goals. It also requires a description of supplies/services to be subcontracted to each category and the methodology used to develop these goals.
• Subcontracting Procedures (Part II): Requires identification of the employee responsible for administering the subcontracting program, methods for identifying potential small business sources, and procedures to ensure equitable opportunities for small businesses.
• Subcontracting Plan Management (Part III): Outlines requirements for assisting small businesses, providing fair consideration, counseling representatives, and notifying lower-tier subcontractors about misrepresentation penalties. It also details record-keeping requirements for demonstrating compliance.
• Lower-Tier Subcontractor Flow Down Clause (Part IV): Requires inclusion of FAR Clause 52.219-8 in lower-tier subcontracts and mandates that large business subcontractors receiving subcontracts over certain thresholds must adopt a similar subcontracting plan.
• Electronic Reporting (Part V): Assures cooperation with reporting requirements, including submission of Individual Subcontracting Reports (ISR) and Summary Subcontracting Reports (SSR) via the electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS).

Bidders must complete and submit this form as part of their proposal to demonstrate compliance with federal small business subcontracting requirements. Failure to use this form or complete it accurately will lead to rejection. It requires detailed planning and commitment regarding subcontracting with small, disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Request for Proposal (RFP) from the Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) seeks proposals for the Emerging Technologies Opportunity Program (ETOP) 2026. The objective is to identify and fund projects that develop new technical capabilities to be provided to JGI users, specifically focusing on advancing plant transformation technologies for domestic biomass crops (sorghum, switchgrass, Miscanthus). The overarching goal is to automate critical steps in plant tissue culture and transformation to accelerate research and development.

• Primary Deliverable: Development of an automated system capable of identifying, selecting, and removing embryogenic portions of calluses and placing them on fresh media, while also tracking their growth and health.

• Minimum Requirements:

  • Must work with callus material from sorghum, miscanthus, or switchgrass.
  • Must achieve a minimum of 75% regeneration of calluses.
  • Must be capable of manipulating at least 10,000 calluses per day.
  • Must be scalable to 50,000-500,000 calluses per day long-term.

• Desirable Features: Automated sampling for PCR/ELISA, automated media refreshing, interoperability with other robotic systems, minimal human intervention.

• Estimated Value: At least one subcontract anticipated with a total value up to $2,000,000.00. Multiple awards may be made.

• Period of Performance: Expected to be two years.

• Proposal Due Date: June 1, 2026, by 12 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).

• Offeror Questions Due: May 14, 2026.

• Submission Method: Email to asloper@lbl.gov or mail (5 copies) to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

• Evaluation Factors: Proposals will be evaluated based on meeting minimum requirements (Pass/Fail), desired performance features, supplier attributes, and non-technical factors including price. Oral presentations may be required.

• NAICS Code: 541714 - Research and Development in Biotechnology.

• Small Business Size Standard: 1,000 employees.

• Funding is not currently available but anticipated.

• Offerors must accept the terms and conditions of the Sample Subcontract.

• Sustainability-related requirements and E-Verify program enrollment are mandatory.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Representation & Certification form that must be completed, signed, and returned as part of the Offeror's proposal. It requires the Offeror to provide specific information and certifications related to various federal regulations and requirements.

• Offeror Information: Legal name, TIN, UEI, parent company details, affiliates, place of performance, number of employees, type of organization (domestic/foreign), and eligibility designations for higher education programs.
• Small Business Program Representations: Certifications regarding status as a small business, small disadvantaged business (SDB), women-owned small business (WOSB), economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB), veteran-owned small business (VOSB), service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), 8(a) concern, HUBZone small business, and participation in a Mentor-Protégé Program. Includes definitions and specific criteria for each category.
• Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports: Representations regarding participation in previous contracts subject to Equal Opportunity clauses and filing of compliance reports.
• Affirmative Action Compliance: Representations regarding the development and filing of affirmative action programs.
• Compliance with Veterans' Employment Reporting Requirements: Certification for offers over $250,000 regarding submission of VETS-4212 reports.
• Certification and Disclosure on Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions: Certification regarding the use of federal appropriated funds for lobbying activities.
• Certification on Responsibility Matters: Certifications regarding debarment, suspension, convictions, civil judgments, indictments, delinquent Federal taxes, and contract terminations for default.
• Representations by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or Felony Conviction: Specific representations for corporations concerning unpaid Federal tax liability and recent felony convictions.
• Information Regarding Responsibility Matters: Representations concerning active Federal contracts and grants exceeding $10,000,000 and related proceedings reported in FAPIIS.
• Certification Regarding Tax Matters: Certifications for contracts exceeding $5,500,000 regarding Federal tax returns, criminal convictions under the IRC, and unpaid Federal tax assessments.
• Buy American Act Certification: Certification regarding domestic vs. foreign end products and construction materials.
• Representation of Limited Rights Data and Restricted Computer Software: Representation regarding the classification and delivery of data and software.
• Export Controlled Item Classification: Requirement to provide export control information for quoted items.
• Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment: Representations concerning the provision and use of covered telecommunications equipment and services.
• Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation: Representations regarding the provision and use of covered telecommunications equipment or services.
• Biobased Product and Recovered Material Certification: Certifications related to the use of biobased products and recovered materials.

This form is critical for proposal submission. Bidders must accurately complete all applicable sections to demonstrate compliance with various federal regulations and to establish their eligibility and responsibility. Failure to complete or accurately provide this information may render a proposal non-responsible or ineligible for award.