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

The University of California, on behalf of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), is soliciting proposals for the development of an automated system for plant tissue culture and transformation. This requirement is part of the Emerging Technologies Opportunity Program (ETOP) 2026 and is issued under solicitation number PTC-ETOP-2026. The project is classified under NAICS 541714 Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) and PSC AJ12 General Science and Technology R&D Services; General Science and Technology; Applied Research. There is no set-aside designated for this procurement (NONE).

Performance will take place in Berkeley, California, with all proposals due no later than 12:00 p.m. PDT on June 1, 2026. The Department of Energy contractor has provided eight attachments to support the solicitation, including proposal preparation instructions, a sample subcontract, insurance certificate instructions, a small business subcontracting plan, and a representation and certification form that must be returned with the submission. Ashley Loper is the designated point of contact for this combined synopsis/solicitation.

Recent updates to the notice include a May 15, 2026, modification to incorporate a question-and-answer document. Offerors are required to submit a pre-award survey of their accounting system alongside their formal proposals. While the timeline for oral presentations is currently to be determined, all other terms and conditions of the original April 29, 2026, release remain in effect.