Installation Energy & Water - Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP)

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

The Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) is soliciting pre-proposals for FY 2027 to fund formal demonstrations of innovative Installation Energy & Water technologies. ESTCP supports mature technologies that improve energy resilience, water resilience, cybersecurity, and building performance at DoD installations through real-world demonstrations conducted at DoD facilities. Pre-proposals are due March 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

How much funding would I receive?

ESTCP awards typically support multi-year demonstration projects funded through cost-type or firm fixed-price contracts. While individual award sizes are not specified in the solicitation, projects commonly range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, depending on scope, duration, and demonstration scale.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding may be used to demonstrate and validate innovative technologies in one of the following ESTCP FY 2027 Installation Energy & Water Topic Areas:

Improve Energy Resilience with Long-Duration Energy Storage
This topic area seeks demonstrations of Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) technologies integrated into military microgrids to meet the DoD’s requirement to power critical loads for 14 days during a grid outage. Technologies of interest include electrochemical, chemical, thermal, subsurface, and other LDES approaches, evaluated through Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing. The focus is on reducing or eliminating reliance on diesel fuel while improving lifecycle cost-effectiveness, resilience, and cybersecurity of installation microgrids.
Read more here.

Improving the Cyber Resilience of DoW Installation Energy Systems
This topic focuses on closing critical cybersecurity gaps in Facility-Related Control Systems (FRCS) that support energy and water infrastructure. ESTCP is seeking demonstrations of novel solutions that improve secure connectivity, threat detection, and cyber defense at machine speed, including alternatives to fiber connectivity, high-fidelity honeypots, and AI-driven defensive cyber agents. The goal is to reduce the risk of cyber-physical disruption to mission-critical installation systems without requiring major infrastructure modifications.
Read more here.

Improving the Energy Resilience of DoW Installations
This topic area solicits technologies that enhance the ability of military installations to continue mission-critical operations during energy disruptions. Solutions may include hardware, software, planning tools, infrastructure hardening, or integrated energy-water-control approaches, but exclude LDES-only solutions, which must submit under the LDES topic. Technologies should reduce dependence on imported energy, address regional challenges (e.g., arctic, remote, or arid locations), and demonstrate scalability across multiple installations.
Read more here.

Solutions to Improve Energy Efficiency and Performance of DoW Buildings
This topic seeks demonstrations of innovative retrofit-ready technologies that reduce energy use intensity, lower maintenance burden, improve occupant health, and decrease lifecycle costs in DoD buildings. Technologies of interest include HVAC, building envelope systems, lighting, water heating, waste heat recovery, and integrated control solutions. ESTCP prioritizes solutions that work with existing infrastructure, deliver measurable energy savings, and have a clear pathway to adoption through ESCOs, ESPCs, or utility programs.
Read more here.

Water Resilience on DoW Installations
This topic area focuses on technologies and methodologies that improve the reliability, security, and efficiency of water systems supporting military missions. Areas of interest include potable water reduction, water storage (minimum 8,000 gallons), desalination improvements, leak detection, corrosion-resistant materials, building-scale water reuse, and advanced water monitoring. Solutions should reduce operational burden, address water-stressed regions, and support long-term resilience of aging installation water infrastructure.
Read more here.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the direct funding award, ESTCP provides significant strategic advantages:

• DoD Validation and Credibility: ESTCP selection signals that your technology meets high-priority DoD installation needs and has passed rigorous technical review.

• Accelerated Adoption Pathways: Demonstrations are explicitly designed to support transition, regulatory acceptance, and scaling across multiple DoD installations.

• Non-Dilutive Growth: ESTCP funding allows companies to mature and validate technology without giving up equity, strengthening long-term enterprise value.

• Visibility with Defense Stakeholders: Successful projects are published, presented, and shared across DoD, regulatory, and industry communities—raising profile and credibility.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

• Pre-Proposals Due: March 26, 2026 (2:00 p.m. ET)

• Full Proposal Invitations: May 2026

• Full Proposals Due: July 2026

• Technical Committee Briefings: August 2026

• Project Selection: September 2026

• Anticipated Contract Awards: Q3 FY 2027.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided by the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) under the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Energy Resilience & Optimization) within the U.S. Department of Defense.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility depends on organization type:

• Private industry and universities: Apply under the FY27 ESTCP Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

• DoD organizations: Apply under the FY27 DoD Call for Proposals

• Other Federal agencies: Apply under the FY27 Federal Call for Proposals

All proposers must submit a pre-proposal and respond to an eligible Topic Area.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Successful proposals typically:

• Address a clearly defined, enterprise-wide DoD installation need

• Demonstrate technologies at TRL or ARL 5–7

• Provide strong cost, performance, and risk-reduction benefits

• Include a clear DoD end user and transition pathway

• Are scalable across multiple installations and Services

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Projects will not be considered responsive if they:

• Are already broadly deployed across the DoD enterprise

• Require access to large volumes of high-quality DoD data

• Solve a problem unique to a single installation

• Represent basic research or early-stage exploratory development

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

For first time applicants, pre-proposals will likely take 35 to 50 hours with assistance.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under Federal & State R&D Initiatives.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.