Low Temperature Lithium Metal Production Technology Licensing Opportunity

The Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12), part of the U.S. Department of Energy, is soliciting proposals for a competitive licensing process for its Low Temperature Lithium Metal Production Technology. This technology enables lithium metal production at temperatures below 100°C through an integrated extractive metallurgy and electrowinning process, offering significant reductions in energy consumption, processing steps, and hazard potential compared to conventional methods. The licensing process is structured in three phases: an initial award of one or more non-exclusive Research and Development (R&D) licenses, followed by a milestone-based down-selection, and culminating in the potential award of a single exclusive commercial license to the entity that successfully meets defined technical and business milestones. R&D licensees will be responsible for advancing the technology from TRL-3 to pilot-scale demonstration and toward commercial readiness, including process validation, engineering scale-up, and commercial readiness planning. Proposals must demonstrate technical capability, a proposed development approach, commercialization vision, and organizational and financial readiness. Key evaluation criteria include technical merit, commercial potential, organizational capability, financial capability, and innovation/risk management. Foreign nationals and foreign-owned or controlled entities are not eligible. The deadline for questions is May 29, 2026, and the proposal submission deadline is June 12, 2026.