Vulcan Expeditionary Basing Power Call

Executive summary

A call on Vulcan, the special operations tech-scouting platform, seeks power generation and distribution technology for expeditionary bases that cuts reliance on bulk fuel and maintainers. It lists five technical interest items. Scout Cards with a white paper are due October 30, 2026 at 10:59 p.m. Central.

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This is a scouting call, not a grant, and no dollar amount is posted. Strong submissions can lead to market research engagements, capability demonstrations, OTA prototypes, CRADAs or technology experimentation.

Solicitation at a glance

• Platform: Vulcan (vulcan-sof.com), account required
• Call: Expeditionary Basing Power Generation and Distribution
• Engagement paths: Market research, capability demonstration, OTA prototype, CRADA, technology experimentation
• Funding: Not stated on the call. BW&CO estimate: $1M to $5M, based on comparable prototype efforts; this is our estimate, not a government figure.
• Submission: Vulcan Scout Card tailored to the call, plus a white paper proposal; unclassified only
• Open date: October 4, 2026, 11:00 p.m. Central
• Due date: October 30, 2026, 10:59 p.m. Central

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the October 30 deadline.

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What is this call?

An open call for expeditionary energy systems that deliver mission-critical power without reliance on bulk fuel, need fewer maintainers and technicians, and are hardened against cyber and electromagnetic threats.

What problem is the military trying to solve?

Expeditionary camps depend on fuel-driven generators that need routine resupply, offer little redundancy and are exposed to cyber, electromagnetic and kinetic threats. The call wants power that keeps command and control running through fuel shortages, equipment failures and attacks.

Priority capability areas: the five technical interest items

• TII 862.0 Battery storage for expeditionary basing: at least 750 kVA modular capacity (threshold), 10 MWh goal (objective); charging from generators, shore power and solar; battery management, health monitoring, iron-air and low-flammability chemistries
• TII 863.0 Microgrid technology and equipment: supports at least a 500 kW load; controller resistant to cyber and EMP threats; MIL-STD-188-125 EMP shielding; no wireless technology; decentralized, plug-and-play control
• TII 864.0 Smart power distribution panels: monitor and control distribution without manual resets; surge protection and automatic breaker reset; MIL-STD-810H and IP67 ruggedization; EMP shielding
• TII 865.0 Novel power sources: 5 kW threshold, 100 kW objective; far lower resupply than petroleum generators; C-130 transportable; specified Class L, CAM-LOK and lug outputs
• TII 866.0 Power distribution cables: lightweight, armored high-voltage and high-current cables; alternative conductor alloys; shielding for circuit resilience

Requirements that apply across items

• Environment: MIL-STD-810H; high salinity, thermal and photo degradation; the battery and microgrid items list 0 to 120 degrees F as threshold and -40 to 160 degrees F as objective
• Transport: military air movement requirements
• Interfaces: standard, non-proprietary power connections; common commercial SCADA software where used
• Setting: tactical operations center, rear

Eligibility

Submitters need a Vulcan account and a Scout Card. All submissions must be unclassified. The call does not list other eligibility limits; check the call page and the technical interest items before you submit.

How to apply

• Read the five technical interest items attached to the call on Vulcan.
• Submit an existing Scout Card or create one tailored to this call; Vulcan removes duplicate cards.
• Upload a white paper proposal focused on technical and operational detail, not marketing material, and tie it to specific TIIs.
• Submit by October 30, 2026, 10:59 p.m. Central.

What happens after you submit?

• Assessment: assessors review how well each submission fits the technical interest items
• Possible next steps: market research, capability demonstration, OTA prototype, CRADA or technology experimentation

Is this opportunity a good fit for your company?

It fits companies with field-ready batteries, microgrid controllers, smart distribution panels, fuel-independent generators or armored cabling that can meet MIL-STD-810H and, for several items, EMP shielding with no wireless components. It does not fit early concepts or anyone looking for grant funding.

How BW&CO can help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For scouting calls like this one, we help you:

• Map your product to the right technical interest items
• Write a white paper evaluators can assess quickly
• Tailor your Scout Card to the call
• Plan the path from demonstration to an OTA prototype
• Find related Army and DoD energy opportunities

Plan your Vulcan submission

Frequently asked questions

When is the deadline?

October 30, 2026 at 10:59 p.m. Central.

How much funding is available?

The call does not state a dollar amount. BW&CO estimates $1M to $5M based on comparable prototype efforts; treat that as our estimate, not a government figure. The call lists market research, capability demonstration, OTA prototype, CRADA and technology experimentation as possible engagements.

What do I submit?

A Vulcan Scout Card tailored to the call and a white paper proposal. Additional documentation is allowed, but keep it technical.

Can I reuse an existing Scout Card?

Yes. Submit your existing card and tailor it to this call. Duplicate cards are removed.

Which technologies are in scope?

Battery storage, microgrids, smart power distribution panels, novel power sources and power distribution cables, per the five technical interest items.

Does the system have to be wireless-free?

The microgrid, novel power source and cable items list no wireless technology as a requirement.

Are there shielding requirements?

The microgrid, smart panel and novel power source items cite MIL-STD-188-125 EMP shielding.

Can classified material be included?

No. All submissions must be unclassified.

Can BW&CO help with a Vulcan submission?

Yes. We help teams map products to the technical interest items and write a clear white paper. Book a call with our team.

Source: Vulcan call "Expeditionary Basing Power Generation and Distribution" and its Power Generation and Distribution Technical Interest Items (Vulcan account required)