How to bid on the LiSA Technology Licensing Opportunity from the Department of Energy

What the Department of Energy is buying

The Department of Energy is offering a technology licensing opportunity for LiSA (Lithium Sensing with Advanced Polymer Systems). LiSA is a portable system developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory for detecting lithium in the field. It helps find lithium in places like geothermal brines and clay formations without needing expensive drilling or lab tests.

Businesses can license this technology to provide faster, cheaper, and more accurate lithium exploration services. This can help reduce exploration risk and speed up resource validation for customers in lithium mining, geothermal energy, direct lithium extraction, and related fields.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This opportunity was published on June 05, 2026. The deadline for responding is December 06, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET. This is a technology licensing opportunity, not a typical procurement. The deadline is when the Department of Energy will stop accepting inquiries or proposals for licensing this specific technology.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for businesses involved in equipment, particularly those in lithium mining and mineral exploration, geothermal energy development, direct lithium extraction and brine processing, oil and gas field services, subsurface technologies, and analytical instrumentation. Companies looking to enhance their portfolio with real-time, on-site lithium detection capabilities would find this valuable.

The technology is at TRL 4 (Technology Readiness Level 4) and has a US Patent pending. It offers potential for adaptation to sensing other critical minerals, making it attractive for firms looking to innovate in resource exploration.

How to respond to this opportunity

To access the full details of this opportunity, click the “View original source” button. 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 all associated documents, though this is not always required for every bid.

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

When preparing a response for a technology licensing opportunity, focus on how your company will integrate and commercialize the LiSA technology. Clearly outline your business plan, target markets, and how LiSA will provide a competitive edge. Highlight your existing capabilities and infrastructure that support the successful deployment and market penetration of this technology.

Demonstrate a clear understanding of the market applications mentioned, such as lithium mining, geothermal energy, or direct lithium extraction. Emphasize how your organization can leverage LiSA to address current bottlenecks in domestic lithium development and potentially expand into other critical minerals. A strong proposal will show a clear path to commercial success and how your company can be a valuable partner in advancing this innovation.