Environmental microbes as a bioengineering resource

Ended Definitive Contract Awarded Last action

Contract number
FA865022C7214
Awardee
Awarding agency
Obligated
$1,458,625

Award facts

Opportunity
Contract value 19% obligated
  • $2,875,957.00 Current, with exercised options
  • $7,859,990.00 Potential, with all options
Completion date 100% complete
  • Current, with exercised options
  • Potential, with all options
Funding agency
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Department of Defense
Set-aside
No set-aside
Competition
6 offers Negotiated Proposal / Quote
Pricing
Cost No Fee
Place of performance
San Diego, CA 92182, USA

Award details come from SAM.gov/FPDS.

Transactions

Action Obligated Date
Additional Work (new agreement, FAR part 6 applies) P00005 · Ember in-scope additional work $310,510
Other Administrative Action P00004 $0
Funding Only Action P00003 · Environmental microbes as a bioengineered resource (ember) $1,106,822
Other Administrative Action P00002 · Environmental microbes as a bioengineered resource $0
Other Administrative Action P00001 $0
Original award $1,458,625

About this award

Written by GovTribe AI ·

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded a $7.86 million definitive contract on September 26, 2022, to San Diego State University Foundation (doing business as San Diego State University Research Foundation) to develop novel bio-based technologies for rare earth element (REE) extraction and purification through biomining methods under the Environmental Microbes as a BioEngineering Resource (EMBER) program. The contract, which extends through November 30, 2026, operates on a cost-no-fee basis and involves work to be performed in San Diego, California. The award was not designated as a set-aside and follows DARPA's effort to leverage environmental microbiology and bioengineering to enable separation, purification, and conversion of rare earth elements from domestic sources such as mine waste and electronics recycling. This addresses critical national security and economic priorities by developing domestically sourced alternatives for materials essential to manufacturing and defense applications.

The prime contractor has engaged Palo Alto Research Center LLC (PARC) as a major subcontractor, with sub-contract work valued at $506,782 (original award of $336,943 plus Amendment 1 of $169,839). Key technical efforts under the subcontract include designing modular systems for REE purification based on mining tailings parameters, conducting techno-economic analysis to evaluate commercial feasibility, developing and testing a 100-liter pilot-scale bioreactor for integration into existing waste treatment operations, and performing life-cycle assessment with environmental impact indicators including greenhouse gas emissions, energy demand, and water use. The work involves multiple performing institutions including PARC, Phoenix Tailings, and San Diego State University, with tasks progressing through multiple phases over the contract period to advance from bench-scale development through pilot-scale demonstration.

Subawards

Subcontractor Amount Awarded
The Regents Of The University Of California EMBER IN-SCOPE ADDITIONAL WORK The UCB team will contribute to the TAI Task 3 activities. Specifically, the team shall identify organisms and biomolecules… $423,762
Palo Alto Research Center LLC EMBER IN-SCOPE ADDITIONAL WORK TA2 Subtask 1.2. Outline the design of modular system for REE purification based on tailing parameters, pre/post treatment… $506,782

Quick answers

Who was awarded contract FA865022C7214?

FA865022C7214 was awarded to San Diego State University Foundation by Air Force Research Laboratory (Air Force Materiel Command) on September 26, 2022.

How much is contract FA865022C7214 worth?

The government has obligated $1,458,625 on FA865022C7214. Its current value, with exercised options, is $2,875,957. Its potential value, with all options, is $7,859,990.

Which agency awarded contract FA865022C7214?

Air Force Research Laboratory (Air Force Materiel Command) awarded FA865022C7214, with funding from Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Department of Defense).

Was contract FA865022C7214 competed?

The government received 6 offers.

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