Fort Stewart & Hunter Army Airfield Energy Resiliency Microgrid Prototype & Lines of Effort (LOEs) Challenge through ONIX OTA Partnership
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
The USARMY – Fort Stewart & Hunter Army Airfield Energy Resiliency Microgrid Prototype is a prototype-focused opportunity to design, build, and validate a solar-plus-storage microgrid supporting mission-critical operations. The Army is seeking solutions that can demonstrate real-world resiliency performance and produce a replication package for future deployments.
Applications close May 19, 2026 at 07:00 PM.
This is a fast-moving opportunity with a 30–45 day anticipated down-select, requiring concise (2–10 page) submissions and a clear, executable approach.
How much funding would I receive?
Funding typically ranges from $500k - $5m per award.
AREAS OF INTEREST
LOE 1: Prototype / Program Management, Permitting, and Stakeholder Coordination
Provide program management and dedicated oversight to execute the Fort Stewart microgrid prototype, including end‑to‑end coordination of permitting and stakeholder actions required for successful deployment.
● Provide program management, schedule/risk governance, and coordination to execute the Fort Stewart microgrid prototype within the Government-directed timeline.
● Lead and track permitting actions for the solar farm and adjacent battery facility (BESS); coordinate documentation packages and approvals with installation stakeholders and authorities having jurisdiction, as directed.
● Maintain an integrated risk register and readiness gates for design, permitting, installation, commissioning, and testing; provide recurring status reporting and issue resolution as directed.
● Coordinate site access, safety planning, and installation coordination actions required to enable on‑site work and testing activities, as directed.
LOE 2: Prototype / Microgrid Design, Build, Integration, and Commissioning (Fort Stewart)
Execute the Fort Stewart solar-plus-storage microgrid prototype to validate installation energy resiliency under outage/degraded-grid conditions, while coordinating required permitting and stakeholder actions to enable successful deployment.
● Design and implement the solar‑plus‑storage microgrid architecture, including interconnection, controls, protection schemes, and operating modes necessary to support mission‑essential loads during outages/degraded grid conditions, as directed.
● Install, integrate, and commission the solar farm and battery energy storage system (BESS), and deliver as‑built documentation and configuration baselines for the prototype system.
● Coordinate construction/installation sequencing with Government stakeholders to support access, safety, and continuity of installation operations, as directed.
● Prepare commissioning checklists and acceptance test procedures consistent with Government-directed requirements; document results and corrective actions through closeout.
LOE 3: Prototype / Performance Validation, Sustainment Readiness, and Replication Package (HAAF)
Validate prototype performance through representative testing, deliver sustainment readiness artifacts, and provide a replication kit to accelerate sequential deployment at Hunter Army Airfield.
● Execute a Government‑approved demonstration plan that includes at least one planned utility‑outage/islanding demonstration and one degraded‑grid scenario; document results, constraints, and recommended design/process changes.
● Establish baseline resiliency performance and report measurable deltas from testing (e.g., critical load support duration, transfer time to islanded operations, system availability/uptime, recovery time), with decision‑quality evidence suitable to inform sequential deployment.
● Deliver operator/maintainer training, safety procedures, sustainment recommendations, and turnover artifacts required for continued operations, as
directed.
● Deliver a microgrid replication kit to accelerate sequential deployment at Hunter Army Airfield, including process map, permitting playbook, reference
architecture, commissioning checklist, operator training package, and lessons‑learned delta list.
● Coordinate with the Government to define the mission-essential load set and target sustainment duration for demonstration events prior to execution, as directed.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Yes—non-dilutive and strategic benefits include:
Opportunity to deliver a first-of-its-kind microgrid at Fort Stewart
Positioning for follow-on deployment at Hunter Army Airfield (approximately 1+ year out)
Creation of a replicable implementation package for future Army installations
Direct engagement with the U.S. Army and ONI through an ONIX OTA contracting pathway
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Application deadline: May 19, 2026 at 07:00 PM
Down-select timeline: ONI anticipates 30–45 days from posting
Project duration: Approximately 1–1.5 years for Fort Stewart execution
Timing for award and funding disbursement is not specified in the solicitation.
Where does this funding come from?
U.S. Army (Fort Stewart & Hunter Army Airfield)
Contracting via ONIX OTA in coordination with ACC-RI
Who is eligible to apply?
U.S.-based industry (i.e., small businesses), academic, and nonprofit organizations
Must register and submit via https://gocolosseum.org
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Proposals will be evaluated across four weighted categories:
1. Technical Approach & Design (30%)
Strong solar + battery integration design
Clear outage/islanding capability
Robust permitting and compliance strategy
2. Execution Capability & Schedule (25%)
Realistic 1–1.5 year execution plan
Defined staffing and resource allocation
Credible cost and milestone structure
3. Deliverables & Outcomes (30%)
Demonstrable performance metrics (e.g., load support duration, uptime)
Complete replication package
Strong sustainment readiness documentation
4. Past Performance & Organization Capability (15%)
Relevant microgrid or energy resiliency experience
Experience working on military or government installations
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
This is a prototype-focused effort; recurring environmental compliance services are not intended unless explicitly directed
Submission format is flexible, but proposals must include required elements (e.g., technical approach, schedule, costs, deliverables)
Responses must be 2–10 pages maximum
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
The solicitation requires a short response (2–10 pages) including technical, cost, and execution details.
Typical preparation effort will depend on readiness, but the required components include:
Technical approach
Schedule and milestones
Cost estimate (ROM)
Past performance
Company information
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can support:
Translating your microgrid solution into a clear, evaluation-aligned proposal
Structuring your response to directly match the scoring rubric (technical, execution, outcomes, past performance)
Developing a credible ROM cost model and milestone plan
Positioning your team’s experience for DoD evaluators and OTA pathways
