How to bid on Technology Licensing Opportunity: DC Recruiter from Department of Energy

What the agency is buying and why it matters

Los Alamos National Laboratory, part of the Department of Energy, is offering licensing opportunities for a technology called DC Recruiter. This is a self-assembling peptide nanofiber designed to recruit and activate dendritic cells, which are key components of the immune system. The goal is to provide broad, early immune support against various infections.

This technology is intended to help the body respond faster to infections, even when the specific pathogen is unknown. It is designed to be needle-free and spray-friendly, making it potentially useful for rapid deployment in situations like outbreak response, defense, emergency preparedness, and for use in pharmaceuticals and consumer health products. This is a licensing opportunity, not a request for development services.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This opportunity was published on June 15, 2026. The deadline for responding is December 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET. This is the final time by which all licensing inquiries or proposals must be submitted to be considered.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for companies in the professional category, particularly those in the pharmaceutical, biotech, public health, defense, or consumer health sectors. Firms interested in developing or commercializing innovative immune support technologies, especially those with applications in broad-spectrum infection prevention, outbreak response, or emergency preparedness, would find this relevant.

The technology is at TRL 3 (Technology Readiness Level 3) and has a US patent pending. Companies looking for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing agreements for early-stage, high-potential technologies should consider this.

How to respond

To access the details and respond to this opportunity, you need to click “View original source” on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need to create a free account to view any associated documents, though this is not always required for every bid.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

When preparing your response for a technology licensing opportunity, clearly articulate your company's capabilities and experience in commercializing similar technologies. Highlight your market strategy for DC Recruiter, including target applications and how you plan to bring the product to market.

Demonstrate a strong understanding of the technology's potential and its advantages over existing solutions. Provide a clear business plan that outlines your financial capacity and resources to develop and commercialize the licensed technology. Emphasize how your company's vision aligns with the goals of Los Alamos National Laboratory in moving inventions to commercial innovations.