On February 2, 2012, the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Defense (DOD) announced that it now is accepting five-page pre-proposals for the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), which funds innovative energy technology demonstration projects at military installations. As discussed in this WSGR Alert, ESTCP plays a critical role in the DOD's energy strategy and can serve as a springboard for technology providers and developers seeking opportunities to work with the DOD.

The DOD spends approximately $4 billion annually on facility energy consumption to power more than 500,000 buildings at roughly 500 military installations worldwide. The purpose of ESTCP's Installation Energy Program is to validate innovative technology performance, thereby accelerating the deployment of new technologies that directly support the military's aggressive energy goals and operational needs. For young companies, successful completion of a project under ESTCP can lead to broader opportunities within the military, where ESTCP becomes a "pipeline" of technology that is ripe for more widespread adoption.

Please see full alert below for more information.