Blackrock Microsystems, Inc.

Blackrock Microsystems, Inc., a foreign-owned, for-profit manufacturer based in Salt Lake City, Utah, develops and supplies neural interface technologies, microelectrode arrays, and brain-computer interface systems to federal agencies as a prime contractor (91% of awards) and as a sub-recipient on university research grants. The company holds a single-award indefinite delivery contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Integrated Service Network 1 valued at $2 million over five years (April 2023 through March 2028) and competes on full-and-open procurements with no set-aside participation across its federal footprint.

Blackrock's product portfolio centers on proprietary neural signal processing systems, electrode arrays, and intracranial recording devices marketed under brand names including NeuroPort EEG, CerePlex, Cereport, and Neuroplex. Recent representative prime contracts include a $135,500 purchase order from VA VISN 1 (June 2026) for a 256-channel NeuroPort EEG System with digital upgrade package for the West Haven VA Medical Center, an $863,500 delivery order from VA VISN 1 (September 2025) for neural signal processing systems and components, and a $245,000 purchase order from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (April 2024) for a NeuroPort EEG with trade-in to support single-neuron recording experiments. The company also received a $12,700 purchase order from NINDS (September 2025) for CerePlex SI microelectrode arrays for neuroscience research.

Customer concentration remains high and stable. The top five funding agencies account for 69% of awards by count and 83% of combined potential value. The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Integrated Service Network 1 dominates both metrics with 31 awards carrying $6.6 million in combined potential value, anchored by the five-year IDC and steady delivery orders for neural processing systems supporting biomedical research and the Reconnecting the Hand and Arm to the Brain (ReHAB) program for veterans with neurological injuries. The National Institute on Drug Abuse places the second-highest award volume at 40 awards but carries only $2.3 million in potential value, indicating smaller individual procurements. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (22 awards, $534 thousand), the National Institute of Mental Health (16 awards, $269 thousand), and VA VISN 10 (9 awards, $1.4 million) round out the active set. Federal grant activity has grown in the past three years: Blackrock acts as prime recipient on three NIH grants (SBIR Phase II on high-density carbon fiber electrode arrays from NINDS, and cooperative agreements on clinical outcome assessments for brain-controlled communication from the Office of Medical Products and Tobacco), with completion dates through August 2025. Blackrock also appears as sub-recipient on numerous university-led grants, most recently from New York University, Duke University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Minnesota, Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University, and McLean Hospital, spanning neurosurgery, epilepsy diagnosis, auditory implants, and brain network modeling work.

The vendor's parent vehicle footprint is limited. Three vehicles carry task order activity: a Basic Ordering Agreement (VA24115G0020) with 12 task orders totaling $707 thousand, and two Indefinite Delivery Contracts (36C24123D0045 with 8 task orders worth $1.6 million, and 36C24120D0005 with 3 task orders worth $764 thousand). These vehicles represent the core procurement infrastructure through which VISN 1 and related VA components place recurring orders.

Award activity has decelerated after peaking in 2023. The last five years show 11 awards in 2022, 20 in 2023, 8 in 2024, 7 in 2025, and 2 in 2026 year-to-date (as of June 30, 2026). Only three awards face ultimate completion within the next twenty-four months (combined potential value $1 million), presenting minimal recompete cliff exposure in the near term. The source carries combined potential value of $13.5 million against combined dollars obligated of $32 million—indicating significant prior invoiced performance under mature contract vehicles, particularly the VA VISN 1 IDC and recurring NIDA purchase orders. This posture reflects a stable, mature customer base with predictable order patterns rather than aggressive pipeline growth.

Blackrock operates no significant subcontractor relationships on federal prime contracts—source data identifies no major subs on contract work. Federal grant sub-recipient activity centers on providing proprietary hardware, regulatory support, and device customization to university research teams. On grants from Johns Hopkins, Blackrock is developing a novel subcutaneous intersectional electrical stimulation implant for seizure termination; on grants from the University of Pennsylvania, Blackrock is redesigning and fabricating the Cereplex W wireless recording headstage with enhanced onboard data storage and remote control; and on grants from the University of Minnesota, Blackrock supports development and translation of an intracranial auditory nerve implant. These sub-award roles position Blackrock as a specialized hardware partner anchoring academic R&D efforts in implantable neurotechnology.