DARPA-SN-26-117.pdf

Notice of Intent to Award Using Other than Full and Open Competition

For

Ice Control for Cold Environments (ICE) Program

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Contracts Management Office

(CMO), on behalf of the Biological Technologies Office (BTO), intends to enter into modifications to award Phase III to existing awards under the Ice Control for Cold Environments

(ICE) program to the Michigan Technological University, University of Michigan, and Ginkgo

Bioworks, Inc. The current awards and resulting modifications will consist of one Cooperative

Agreement, one Cost-No Fee contract, and one Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee contract.

Multiple performers were competitively awarded, under Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

No. HR001122S0047, to find solutions for extreme cold-weather DOW operational challenges by discovering and optimizing biologically sourced or inspired molecules to enable tuned inhibition or nucleation of ice crystallization, propagation, and adhesion. The best performing molecules identified during the discovery phase were to be subsequently formulated to develop novel materials with enhanced operational performance, tailored to mitigate extreme cold weather challenges for specific DoW applications, and tested based on stakeholder needs and priorities. The goal of Phase III is to perform application-specific testing focused on advanced development to enable transition to DoW stakeholders.

As performers under the ICE program Michigan Technological University, University of

Michigan, and Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. are uniquely qualified to conduct/complete the ICE program Phase III research project due to their expertise and unique scientific advancements in

Phases I and II. They are the only known responsible sources capable of providing the supplies or services required at the necessary level of quality because the supplies or services are unique and highly specialized for the following reasons:

• Proprietary Data and Knowledge: The performers have developed proprietary data, trade secrets, and specialized knowledge (including filed patents and invention disclosures) that is

DARPA-SN-26-117

essential for Phase III and not available to other sources. All Performers successfully developed and validated a suite of high-throughput, quantitative assays with low error rates, which is critical for Phase III.

• Specialized Personnel and Team Synergy: The existing performer teams possess a unique and irreplaceable combination of world-leading expertise in anti-icing technologies, bioinspired polymer synthesis, cryopreservation, microbial collection/isolation, DoW operational constraints, and large-scale protein production.

The agency requires continued research and development services for the formulation, testing, and scale-up of unique ice-modulating molecules discovered in Phases I and II of the ICE program and requires Phase III efforts be undertaken by current ICE Phase II performers. These services are critical for developing and transitioning novel materials that provide solutions to

Department of War (DoW) operational challenges in extreme cold weather environments.

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. No solicitation package will be issued. However, interested parties have fifteen (15) days from the date of this notice to submit in writing via e-mail to DARPA-SN-26-117@darpa.mil, to the identified point of contact, clear and convincing evidence of their qualifications and/or capabilities, and an explanation as to why award to other than the current performer would not result in the substantial duplication of cost, and cause unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency’s requirements, all of which shall be considered by the agency.

Submissions will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. Responses received after the submission deadline, or without the required information, will not be considered.

In the absence of qualified sources and clear evidence that award to a party other than the current performer would result in the substantial duplication of cost, a modification will be executed under the Other than Full and Open Competition procedures, pursuant to 10 United States Code

(U.S.C.) 3204(a)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation

(FAR) 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source. Responses must include a business name, point mailto:DARPA-SN-26-117@darpa.mil

DARPA-SN-26-117

of contact, business address, e-mail address, and telephone number with area code. Telephonic inquiries will not be accepted.

Point of Contact:

Lydia Richards Contracting Officer DARPA Contracts Management Office DARPA-SN-26-117@darpa.mil mailto:DARPA-SN-26-117@darpa.mil