HR001124C0378 DARPA justification and approval for other than full and open competition
Awarded Limited / Sole Source Justification Posted
- Solicitation number
- HR001124C0378
- Agency
-
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Department of Defense
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- Contract number
- HR001124C0378 Federal contract award
- Awardee
- Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.
- NAICS code
- 541714 Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)
- Place of performance
- Boston, Massachusetts 02210, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency intends to award a sole-source modification to existing contract HR001124C0378 to Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. for Phase III of the Ice Control for Cold Environments (ICE) program, with a total estimated cumulative value not to exceed $5 million.
DARPA justifies the sole-source action under 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1) based on Ginkgo's unique scientific progress and proprietary data accumulated during Phases I and II, including filed patents and specialized personnel with irreplaceable expertise in anti-icing technologies and bioinspired polymer synthesis. The ICE program, originally solicited as full and open competition on August 15, 2022, seeks to develop biologically sourced or inspired molecules to enable tuned inhibition or nucleation of ice crystallization, propagation, and adhesion for extreme cold weather Department of War operational challenges. Phase III will focus on formulation, testing, and scale-up of ice-modulating molecules discovered during prior phases. The period of performance is 12 to 18 months, structured as a Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee contract. DARPA cites critical time-sensitive transition goals established with DoD partners for demonstrations planned for winter 2026-2027 coinciding with major Arctic exercises, and substantial prior government investment of $5.207 million to Ginkgo. Place of performance is Boston, MA.
Notice text
The Ice Control for cold Environments (ICE) program BAA was solicited on August 15, 2022, for the purpose of seeking to develop 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 ICE BAA was solicited for Phase I and Phase II with a notional Phase III that was to be solicited at a later date.
This justification provides the rationale for awarding a sole-source modification to the current Phase II contractor, to continue this work into Phase III under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements."
Awarded contract HR001124C0378 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2026-10-16.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Justification_and_Approval_-_ICE_Program Fully executed_Ginkgo_Redacted.pdf |
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| This notice | Limited / Sole Source Justification | |
| HR001124C0378 DARPA Research Award | Award Notice |
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