High-Performance Computing for Energy Innovation Program: Collaboration for U.S. Manufacturers
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The High-Performance Computing for Energy Innovation (HPC4EI) program is seeking qualified U.S.-based manufacturers to collaborate with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories on high-impact projects. This initiative leverages national lab computing expertise and high-performance computing (HPC) facilities to address complex manufacturing and materials challenges relevant to the U.S. energy sector. The program aims to reduce production costs, improve efficiency, strengthen domestic supply chains, and enhance U.S. industrial competitiveness. Concept Papers are due May 27, 2026.
Scope of Work
Projects will focus on areas such as advanced materials development, manufacturing process development, and leveraging digital tools for manufacturing. Specific areas of interest include:
- Development of advanced materials for energy systems.
- Manufacturing processes to strengthen U.S. industrial competitiveness and energy security.
- Technologies that improve productivity optimization in energy-intensive industries.
- Equipment and processes for industrial process heating.
- Non-thermal processes for cost-competitive separations and treatments.
- Industrial technologies for grid reliability and the water-energy nexus. Selected projects must demonstrate credible pathways to advancing American manufacturing competitiveness, improving supply chain security, and enhancing energy system reliability. Participants are required to share non-proprietary results at program-sponsored workshops and conferences.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Solicitation for collaborative research (not a procurement request). Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) will be used.
- Funding: Phase I projects receive up to $400,000 from DOE. Industry partners must provide an in-kind cost share of at least 20% of the total project funding (non-federal, at least half cash). Total project funding (DOE + industry) will not exceed $500,000. Phase II projects (for successful Phase I teams) receive similar funding with similar cost-share requirements (at least half cash).
- Eligibility: Limited to U.S.-based manufacturers that manufacture products or deploy software/hardware systems in the U.S. U.S. universities, institutes, and non-profit organizations are eligible as collaborators. All project work must be executed in the United States.
- Set-Aside: None specified; eligibility is based on U.S. manufacturing presence.
- Published: April 22, 2026
- Concept Paper Due: May 27, 2026
- Full Proposal Due: August 2026
Evaluation
The solicitation process is two-stage: Concept Paper and Full Proposal. Evaluation criteria include:
- Advances the State of the Art in the Industrial Sector (20%)
- Technical Feasibility (20%)
- Relevance to HPC (20%)
- Impacts (40%)
Additional Notes
Applicants may submit only one Concept Paper and one Full Proposal per Area. This is a collaborative research opportunity, not a procurement.