2026 Distributed Wind Turbine Competitiveness Improvement Project

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is seeking proposals for a 2026 Distributed Wind Turbine Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP). The effort is broken into 13 distinct topic areas covering wind turbine design, manufacture, installation, testing, certification, power‑electronics development, system optimization, manufacturing innovation, technology commercialization, and field validation. Each topic area can be funded as a separate firm‑fixed‑price subcontract with a required price‑participation component (ranging from 20 % to 50 %). Offerors may submit proposals for a single topic or a phased multi‑topic effort (up to three topics). The work must be performed in the United States, involve new turbine hardware, and include collaboration with at least one turbine OEM. The anticipated period of performance is 21 months per topic (up to 60 months for field validation). Technical questions are due 10/16/2026; proposals are due 11/13/2026 at 2:00 PM MT. Evaluation will use a Best‑Value approach that balances technical merit against price. • 13 possible work streams (e.g., Prototype Design Development, Power Electronics Development, Small Turbine Certification). • Maximum award per topic ranges from $200k to $800k with mandatory price‑participation (20‑50 %). • Offerors may combine up to three topics in a phased proposal, but each phase must be completed before the next begins. • Mandatory qualifications include U.S. incorporation, U.S.‑based work, new turbine hardware, and relevant certifications. • Evaluation criteria cover technical approach, LCOE impact, market impact, and team qualifications. • Period of performance: 21 months (Field Validation up to 60 months). • Funding source: Department of Energy via NLR subcontract.