TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: EcoFite
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- S-167659
- Agency
-
Department of Energy
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- Place of performance
- Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
- Points of contact
-
- Mike Erickson licensing@lanl.gov
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
Los Alamos National Laboratory (DOE) is announcing a technology licensing opportunity for EcoFite, a microbial formulation enhancing crop productivity and stress tolerance, with inquiries due by September 30, 2026. The technology is patent pending and PCT filed; LANL seeks commercial partners to advance field validation and support commercialization. EcoFite is a curated microbial consortium at Technology Readiness Level 5–6, currently undergoing active greenhouse and field trials on tomatoes, lettuce, and sorghum in northern New Mexico and western Texas. The formulation addresses agricultural challenges including declining soil fertility, extreme weather, and rising input costs by promoting plant growth, improving nutrient access, and enhancing resilience to drought, salinity, and temperature stress. EcoFite can be delivered as a seed coating or foliar spray and is compatible with organic agricultural practices. LANL seeks ideal partners in agricultural biotechnology, crop input systems, and sustainable farming—including seed producers, biostimulant developers, and integrated agri-input providers—to support field deployment across additional crop types and geographies, scale production for commercial volumes, and co-develop market-ready applications with integrated delivery systems. Interested parties should contact the Feynman Center for Innovation at licensing@lanl.gov.
Notice text
EcoFite: Microbial Formulation for Resilient Crop Performance
A versatile microbial consortium that enhances plant productivity and stress tolerance across greenhouse and field applications
Technology Readiness Level 5-6
EcoFite is being validated in active greenhouse and field trials on tomatoes, lettuce, and sorghum in northern New Mexico and western Texas.
IP Information: This technology is patent pending and PCT filed.
Overview
Modern agriculture faces persistent challenges including declining soil fertility, extreme weather, and rising input costs. EcoFite is a biologically based alternative that addresses these issues using a consortium of beneficial bacteria to promote plant growth, improve nutrient access, and enhance resilience to stressors like salinity and drought. Designed for flexible application, EcoFite can be
delivered as a seed coating or foliar spray. Current trials include lettuce, sorghum, and tomatoes under both greenhouse and field conditions, with promising early results across diverse crop types.
Advantages
• Enhances crop yield, stress tolerance, and growth consistency
• Reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides
• Improves nutrient use efficiency beyond nitrogen-based inputs
• Increases tolerance to drought, salinity, and temperature fluctuations
• Promotes healthier soil microbiomes and soil carbon sequestration
• Compatible with organic agriculture practices and application systems
• Enables growers to apply via multiple delivery methods for operational flexibility and ease of use
Technology Description
EcoFite is a curated microbial consortium developed using LANL’s rational design platform for microbial communities. The selected endophytes colonize internal plant tissue and promote performance through multiple mechanisms including enhanced nutrient uptake, stimulated growth, immune system activation, accelerated/synchronized flowering, and the release of plant metabolites that enrich soil microbial activity. The formulation is compatible with organic systems and can be adapted to meet crop-specific needs. Its ability to operate across soil types and plant species supports wide adoption for both conventional and regenerative agricultural systems.
Market Applications
EcoFite addresses the growing need for scalable, biologically based crop support tools. The formulation can benefit:
• greenhouse growers looking to maximize space and resource efficiency;
• open-field producers seeking to reduce chemical inputs and water use;
• organic farmers needing multi-pathway biostimulants compatible with certified systems; and
• seed companies and input providers aiming to expand their microbial product portfolios.
Contact Information:
For inquiries, contact FCI at licensing@lanl.gov.
LA-UR-25-27105
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| LA-UR-25-27105_EcoFite 1.pdf |
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