The Department of Defense’s (DOD) Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) Program provides funding for the investigation of technologies that can satisfy capability gaps, present opportunities for military applications, or spur initiatives within industry. The DOD is distributing this money through its Near Term Energy-Efficient Technologies (NTEET) Program to energy research programs. It is anticipated that funds will be used, in part, to purchase and deploy clean technology solutions, and therefore offer opportunities for clean technology companies to sell products and services into the government marketplace.

Timing

Contracts are estimated to be awarded between May 2009 and February 2010.

Estimated Funding

DOD received $300 million for RDT&E from the Recovery Act, at least $240 million of which will be distributed on a competitive basis. The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defense-wide agencies each received $75 million. For the exact funding allocated particular projects, please see the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).

Purpose

The purpose of the NTEET Program is to facilitate the research and development of military technology relating to energy, particularly to protect U.S. military operations capability from the risk of interruption of energy supplies, and increasing costs of same. Efforts focus on engine efficiencies, cost-effective solar energy photovoltaics, fuel cells, alternative fuel testing, mobile waste-to-energy, and tactical micro-grids. The 51 energy research programs receiving funding are divided into five topical areas:

Fuel Optimization for Mobility Platforms
Facility Energy Initiatives
Operational Efficiencies/Commercial Practices
Domestic Energy Supply/Distribution
Tactical Power Systems/Generation