Executive Summary
DOE's 2026 Distributed Wind Competitiveness Improvement Project funds U.S. companies to cut costs and improve reliability of small and mid-size wind turbines, with topic ceilings from $200,000 to $800,000 and 20% to 50% cost share. Proposals are due November 13, 2026, 2:00 PM Mountain Time.
The deciding factor is the topic and your share of the cost. Each topic has its own maximum award and minimum price participation, from 20% to 50%, and awards are firm fixed-price subcontracts through DOE's national laboratory.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Agency: U.S. Department of Energy, through its national laboratory
- Opportunity: 2026 Distributed Wind Turbine Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP)
- Number: RFX-2026-10008
- Award Vehicle: Firm fixed-price subcontract
- Funding: Per-topic maximums from $200,000 to $800,000; total funding and number of awards not posted
- Cost Share: Minimum price participation of 20% or 50%, depending on topic
- Issued: September 30, 2026
- Due Date: November 13, 2026, 2:00 PM Mountain Time
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the November 13, 2026 deadline.
What Is the Distributed Wind CIP?
The Competitiveness Improvement Project is a DOE program that helps small and mid-size wind turbine companies lower costs, improve reliability and integrate with the grid. The 2026 round funds work across turbine design, manufacturing, testing, certification and power electronics.
What Problem Is DOE Trying to Solve?
Distributed wind turbines serve homes, farms, businesses and communities, but their cost and certification burden can limit adoption. DOE wants to help U.S. makers cut manufacturing costs, improve reliability and get turbines and components certified.
Topics, Award Maximums and Price Participation
- Prototype Design Development: up to $200,000; 20% minimum
- Prototype Manufacture: up to $800,000; 50% minimum
- Prototype Installation and Testing: up to $400,000; 20% minimum
- Component Innovation: up to $400,000; 20% minimum
- System Optimization: up to $400,000; 20% minimum
- Power Electronics Development: up to $400,000; 20% minimum
- Small Turbine Certification and/or Listing: up to $300,000; 20% minimum
- Type Certification and Listing: up to $800,000; 20% minimum
- Power Electronics Pre-Testing: up to $800,000; 20% minimum
- Power Electronics Listing: up to $800,000; 20% minimum
- Manufacturing Process Innovation: up to $800,000; 50% minimum
- Technology Commercialization: up to $200,000; 20% minimum
- Field Validation: up to $500,000; 50% minimum
Eligibility
- Company: offerors must show evidence of incorporation in the United States
- Product: the turbine's primary output must be electrical power
- Work location: work is performed in the United States
How to Apply
- Read the RFP: review the full request for proposals and any Q&A amendment
- Pick a topic: match your project to one topic and its maximum
- Plan price participation: confirm you can cover the 20% or 50% minimum share
- Write a tight proposal: the RFP sets a 15-page limit
- Submit: by November 13, 2026, 2:00 PM Mountain Time
What Happens After You Submit?
- Evaluation: the laboratory evaluates proposals under the RFP
- Award: selected companies receive firm fixed-price subcontracts
- Work: projects proceed by topic, from design through testing, certification or commercialization
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
It fits U.S. companies that make small or mid-size wind turbines, turbine components or power electronics for distributed wind. It is a weak fit for companies outside wind or teams that cannot fund their share of the cost.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For DOE subcontract programs like the Distributed Wind CIP, we help you:
- Check fit: choose the topic that matches your project
- Plan cost share: structure your price participation
- Write the proposal: fit a strong case into 15 pages
- Plan the budget: align cost with the topic maximum
- Plan the next step: connect the project to certification and sales
Plan Your Distributed Wind CIP Proposal
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issued RFX-2026-10008?
DOE, through its national laboratory, for the 2026 Distributed Wind Competitiveness Improvement Project.
When is it due?
November 13, 2026, 2:00 PM Mountain Time.
How much can one project receive?
It depends on the topic: maximums range from $200,000 to $800,000.
Is cost share required?
Yes. Minimum price participation is 20% or 50%, depending on the topic.
What is the award type?
A firm fixed-price subcontract.
Who can apply?
Companies that show evidence of incorporation in the United States, for turbines whose primary output is electrical power.
How much total funding is available?
The RFP does not post a total or the number of awards.
Is there a page limit?
Yes, 15 pages.
Can BW&CO help with a Distributed Wind CIP proposal?
Yes. BW&CO can help you choose a topic, plan cost share and write the proposal. Book a call with our team.
Source: SAM.gov: RFX-2026-10008, 2026 Distributed Wind Competitiveness Improvement Project