Cornucopia_FAQ_v4_12.24.2021.pdf

Cornucopia Broad Agency Announcement HR001122S0012 Questions and Answers

Q45: How will it be assessed whether or not the foodstuffs produced by performers on Cornucopia will meet Nutritional Standards for Operational Rations (NSOR) requirements?

These assessments will be conducted via standardized Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) test methods by the government Test & Evaluation (T&E) Team.

Q44: How will field-deployability be measured?

See the BAA metrics (table 1, pages 10-11) for size weight and power specifications by Phase and use case. This information is also provided on page 5 of the BAA.

Q43: Will omics data on organisms be required to be given to IV&V teams?

Performer interactions with the government T&E Team are provided on pages 10-11 of the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA).

Q42: What level/amount of samples will need to be provided to the government Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) teams?

As specified in the BAA.

Q41: Is it possible to get early stage assessment/testing of flavor via this scale [9 pt hedonic scale administered by Natick] prior to official program testing?

Natick will share standard published testing protocols in advance of formal T&E assessments. Also see Q40.

Q40: Where can we find more information about the 9 point hedonic scale that will be administered by Natick?

The 9-point hedonic scale is the most widely used scale for measuring food acceptability, and is based on the following publication:

Peryam, D.R. and Girardot, N.F. 1952. Advanced taste test method. Food Engineering, 24, 58-61, 194

Q39: How should flavor be evaluated? Can feedback be solicited on taste?

Per the BAA, no human subjects research (HSR) will be conducted by performers. Flavor evaluation will be conducted by the government T&E team using standardized testing methods via chemical analyses and a 9-point hedonic rating scale (see also Q40).

Q38: What is the policy on flavoring of the final product? Do I understand correctly that all flavors must be expressed only through the microorganisms? Can desirable flavor increase and undesirable flavor minimization occur through additives?

Additives are “supplementation.” The BAA metrics (table 1, pages 10-11) require “minimal to no supplementation.”

Q37: Can flavor be synthesized locally through a process independent of the microbial process and added as a downstream step?

Provided the system produces the specified outputs from microbes, air, water, and electricity, and within the size, weight, and power specifications in the BAA metrics (table 1, pages 10-11), the process is not further prescribed.

Q36: Regarding the Phase 1, FA2 Tailorability metric on demonstrating ability to confer one flavor, is there any requirement on the amount/level of flavor required?

No. The molecule(s) in question must be detectable at levels consistent with its ability to engender “flavor.”

Q35: Why is there a focus on flavors in this program? Is there any preference as to what particular types or ranges of flavors are selected?

Flavor is critical for producing foodstuffs that people will be willing and able to eat in the necessary amounts. As specific in the BAA metrics (table 1, pages 10-11) the flavor requirement for Phase 3 of the program is that the output be “test-ready for “slightly like” or better demonstrated by chemical analysis in two additional food formats.” Studies on human preference for flavor are available to guide performer’s prioritization of flavor.

Q34: What do you mean by “consumption”? Consumption can mean different things in different fields.

When we use the word "consumption" (e.g., direct consumption or at the point of consumption), this refers to human consumption of foodstuffs, and specifically the location in which the food is eaten.

Q33: Is a shake or pudding the required format, or are other formats acceptable as well?

See the BAA metrics (table 1, pages 10-11). A shake or pudding is a required format for the nutritionally complete product. Additional formats that may not be nutritionally complete are required in later phases of the program. Details regarding Focus Area 2 (FA2) flavor and format requirements are also provided on page 8 (Phase 1), page 9 (Phase 2), and page 10 (Phase 3) of the BAA.

Q32: Are there any further specifications for micronutrients that must be supplied such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in lipids?

The only requirements for micronutrients are provided in the BAA, detailed specifically in the Military Dietary Reference Intake (MDRI) requirements for NSOR and Nutritional Standards for Restricted Rations (NSRR).

Q31: Should we assume our water source for the media would be untreated? What are the water assumptions?

The specified use cases can be used to provide more context. Any assumptions made by performers should be clearly articulated.

Q30: Do we need to physically demonstrate integration, or is this a paper exercise?

Competitive programs will demonstrate integration of all essential processes consistent with the specified metrics with paper-based demonstration that establish ability to scale to both use cases. The program does not require a prototype device. The technical objectives for Focus Area 3 (FA3), including system demonstrations, are provided on page 7 of the BAA. Descriptions of FA3 demonstration requirements are also provided on page 8 (Phase 1), page 9 (Phase 2), and page 10 (Phase 3) of the BAA.

Q29: Do you envision one or multiple bioreactors?

Nothing specified in the BAA prohibits multiple bioreactors.

Q28: Regarding the daily output requirements, are further production rates required or desired? Is it preferable to produce outputs continuously, in one large output, or in smaller batches throughout a day?

No requirements are specified beyond the BAA metrics.

Q27: The BAA specifies to select for rapid growth rates. Are there any suggested guidelines for the order of magnitude of the growth rate that would be preferred?

Growth rates should be sufficient to produce the required outputs in the amounts of time dictated by the FA3 metrics for Phases 2 and 3, shown in (table 1, pages 10-11) of the BAA.

Q26: Do Proposers need to account for the fact that different individuals, even of the same gender, age and size, may have different nutritional needs based on genetics and other factors?

No. Meeting the specified MDRI requirements for NSOR and NSRR is the only requirement.

Q25: Are we limited to microbes that currently have Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) status?

No, although any obvious issue with toxicity or other food safety concern will affect compliance with the food safety metric and use case compatibility.

Q24: Do microbes used need to be GRAS-approved? What level of the regulatory GRAS approval process do we need by the end of the program?

DARPA is not expecting performers to obtain GRAS status for any organism they propose to use, but we are asking that performers establish a dialogue with relevant regulatory bodies so that performers and Natick understand what is being proposed and how it fits in the GRAS framework. As stated in the BAA, “DARPA anticipates that selected Cornucopia efforts will be in line with existing regulatory requirements. Proposals should include a discussion and justification for how the proposed approach will ultimately be in line with all such standards” (page 7). Please review Section H.2 (page 13) of the BAA regarding regulatory requirements.

Q23: For utilizing a synthetic biology approach, who would the regulatory bodies be that performer teams should be in regular contact with, and what all certifications should performer teams meet?

As stated in the BAA, “DARPA anticipates that selected Cornucopia efforts will be in line with existing regulatory requirements. Proposals should include a discussion and justification for how the proposed approach will ultimately be in line with all such standards” (page 7).

Additionally, as stated in Section H.2 (page 13) of the BAA, “Proposers must present a detailed plan for early and continued engagement with regulators (e.g., Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency) throughout the program to discuss developing technologies and challenges in order to inform and facilitate technological advancement and the eventual translation of the technology to field deployment. Ideally, proposers will identify the regulatory framework at the time of proposal submission.”

Q22: Can microbes be engineered via means such as directed evolution and random mutagenesis?

Yes.

Q21: Can organisms modified by other means such as gene knockout be used?

Yes.

Q20: Can genetically modified organisms be used?

Yes.

Q19: Are cell free systems within scope?

Yes. Anything not specified as out of scope in the BAA is in scope.

Q18: Are yeasts within scope?

No restrictions are specified on microbe type as long as it is a microbe.

Q17: Does “electricity” include solar as a source of input?

Any type of electrical generation is within scope as long as the overall system does not exceed the size weight and power specifications in the BAA metrics (table 1, pages 10-11).

Q16: How strict are the power requirements in Phase II? For example, if it states 10kW and a 10 man unit, can we do 10 kW for a 5 man unit, or will that be looked upon less favorably?

All the BAA metrics (table 1, pages 10-11) are strict. Proposers are responsible for establishing and defending their representations of size, weight, and power envelopes for the use cases.

Q15: Are there specific requirements as to the methods selected/used to produce critical elements such as carbon and nitrogen?

As stated in the BAA, “proposers are encouraged to consider, as appropriate, low energy CO2 capture, green NH3 synthesis, and in-reactor hydrolysis to support microbial growth rates within mission-informed thresholds for SWaP, toxicity, food quality, and food safety” (page 7). However, the goal of the BAA is to elicit novel and revolutionary solutions that address the program objectives and metrics.

Q14: Is there a limit on the amount of water provided?

There is not, as no limit was specified in the BAA, but a system dependent on a massive flow of water is inconsistent with the use cases specified.

Q13: Does carbon dioxide input need to come from air or can it come from, for example, a tank of compressed carbon dioxide?

Compressed gas cylinders are not included in the starting points of microbes, air, water, and electricity.

The BAA states minimal” to no supplementation.”

Q12: Can we supply fixed nitrogen to the system rather than capturing nitrogen gas from the air?

The specified starting point is microbes, air, water, and electricity.

Q11: There is a long list of metals such as phosphorus, sulfur, etc. that will be needed. Is it allowable to supply these as consumables that get replenished periodically as fuel does?

As stated in the BAA, the goal is minimal supplementation.

Q10: The BAA states, “Proposals must present a strategy to simultaneously produce protein, carbohydrates, fats, and dietary fiber suitable for human sustenance from microbes, air, water, and electricity with minimal to no supplementation in both use case contexts.” What is meant by “no supplementation”?

No supplementation means literally no supplementation. Clearly there will be some elements that must be brought into system, but the ideal would be to keep that to a “minimum.”

Q9: What kind of supplementation is allowable beyond microbes, air, water, and electricity?

The BAA page 6 states “excluded are additional ingredients other than those that may be synthesized from air, water, and electricity or processes that are incompatible with the needs and constraints of the use cases.”

Q8: Are the responses to abstracts made public?

No. Only the performer Points of Contact (POCs) listed on the abstracts will be provided with abstract feedback.

Q7: Do you provide feedback on abstracts?

Yes. Please carefully read page 26 of the BAA regarding responses to abstracts and implications for full proposals.

Q6: On the abstracts, do we need to have the complete team formed, or can we have an incomplete team?

We understand that teams and roles may change of the course of proposal development. If the abstract does not describe a confirmed complete team, please describe the anticipated team composition, state of development of the team and team capabilities to be confirmed in a full proposal.

Q5: What is an ideal team size?

Performers are responsible for forming teams capable of addressing all aspects of the BAA in a manner that is cost effective to the government.

Q4: Can one research entity participate in several Team Proposals due to our specific focused expertise?

Yes.

Q3: If we wish to be a sub-contractor to one of the teams, how best can we inform the larger teams about our potential breakthrough technology?

A: During the Proposers Day, a teaming session was held on Wonder.me to enable potential performers to interact with one another. For those who gave permission for DARPA to share their contact information with other participants during the Proposer’s Day registration process, a contact list will also be made available on the DARPA Opportunities page:

(https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/opportunities?oFilter=DSO)

IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION TO BE SHARED with other potential performers for teaming purposes, but did not register for Proposers Day or did not indicate that you wanted your information shared at the time of registration, you may email your contact details to Cornucopia@darpa.mil, and we will add you to the list.

Q2: Is there a recording that will be distributed or will the slides presented at Proposers Day be posted somewhere?

Cornucopia Proposer’s Day Slide Decks are posted here (scroll down to Cornucopia and click on the link to download the slides) as well as additional responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs); the FAQs document will be updated as additional questions are submitted:

https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/opportunities?oFilter=DSO

Proposer’s Day presentations (slide decks with voice tracks) have been posted on the DARPA Cornucopia program website:

https://www.darpa.mil/program/cornucopia

Q1: Are you interested in proposals that make connections to broader issues rather than specific military applications?

https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/opportunities?oFilter=DSO https://www.darpa.mil/program/cornucopia

Proposals are only required to address the specific requirements set forth in the BAA. Proposals will not be evaluated based on information that is not specified in the BAA.