ConnectWerx, a Partnership Intermediary of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), has opened an initial funding opportunity in collaboration with The Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response. The SENTRY project is a DOE initiative focused on enhancing the security and resilience of the US energy infrastructure. It targets four key areas: energy risk quantification, cybersecurity for industrial control systems, cybersecurity of decentralized asset management systems, and counter-drone capabilities. The project aims to partner with innovative tech startups and has a potential three-year duration.

Complete the online application and upload the appropriate project information and supporting documentation in the application link below for CWX-024-CESER.

Submissions are due no later than Monday, December 1, 2025 at 5 PM ET.

Submissions must include the following files as indicated in the below chart using the required templates.

Submission Requirements

Responses shall be submitted by the date and time specified above.

Files shall be submitted in Microsoft Office or Adobe Acrobat format, not be larger than 5MB. All files shall be print-capable, without a password. Filenames must contain the appropriate extension and shall not contain special characters. Appropriate files extensions are:

Late submissions will not be accepted. Submissions can be made in advance of the deadline and updated (or files replaced) up to the deadline.

The overarching objective of the SENTRY project is to enhance the security, resilience, and operational efficiency of the nation’s energy infrastructure. This will be achieved by addressing critical challenges in risk quantification, cybersecurity for industrial control systems, cybersecurity of decentralized asset management systems, and counter-adversarial drone capabilities through the development and implementation of tailored frameworks, advanced technologies, and robust training programs.

• The Energy Sector Risk Quantification Framework aims to provide energy utilities with a specialized method to quantify security risks, integrating these quantifications with existing utility metrics and key performance indicators.
  • This initiative progresses through three phases: analyzing current methodologies and designing core quantitative assessment tools, developing and validating these tools through pilot implementations with utilities, and finally, disseminating the finalized framework and building capability within the energy sector.
  • Key deliverables include reports on risk factors, design documents, software tools, case studies, and comprehensive training materials.
• The ICS/OT Cybersecurity Enhancement and threat emulation effort aims to improve the cybersecurity of energy sector industrial control systems (ICS) and Operational Technology (OT) networks. This will be achieved through the development of advanced threat emulation capabilities and specialized training.
  • The initiative involves three phases: developing state-of-the-art tools and a realistic testbed for threat emulation, conducting threat emulation and vulnerability assessments via red teaming exercises, and disseminating best practices and developed tools.
  • Key deliverables include documentation for the threat emulation platform, vulnerability assessment reports, remediation strategies, training curricula, and best practice guides.
• The Decentralized Asset Management Systems (DAMS) and integration effort focuses on enabling efficient grid integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) through advanced management and cybersecurity frameworks.
  • This is achieved in three phases: designing scalable DAMS architectures and optimal control algorithms with integrated cybersecurity; modeling and simulating DER integration scenarios to validate performance and cybersecurity; and finally, validating the frameworks through laboratory or pilot projects and contributing to standardization.
  • Key deliverables include architectural specifications, algorithm documentation, simulation reports, economic and environmental assessments, pilot project reports, and contributions to industry standards.
• The cost-effective counter-adversarial drone capabilities for energy infrastructure effort aims to enhance the security of critical energy infrastructure by developing and deploying cost-effective counter-drone technologies and strategies tailored for utility environments.
  • This involves three phases: researching and prototyping novel detection, identification, and neutralization technologies; integrating these technologies into a cohesive counter-drone system for utility applications; and rigorously testing, validating, and establishing operational guidelines for these systems in real-world energy utility environments.
  • Key deliverables include design specifications, technology prototypes, integrated system specifications, field testing reports, and comprehensive operational manuals and best practice guides.

How to Participate

1. Review details on eligibility, evaluation criteria, and how to apply.
2. Review the Informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session (OSS) presentation.
3. Attend the Office Hours on November 13, 2025 at 2PM ET, click here to join OR submit your questions here by November 13, 2025.
4. Download the Project Plan & Overview template.
5. Complete the Submission Form & upload Completed Project Plan & Overview and other required documents in the application link for CWX-024-CESER. Submissions are due no later than December 1, 2025 at 5 PM ET.

Monday, December 1, 2025 at 5 PM ET

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), is issuing the Securing ENergy Technology ResiliencY (SENTRY) Opportunity Announcement to solicit innovative proposals from commercial technology startups. This initiative aims to significantly enhance the security, resilience, and operational efficiency of the nation’s energy infrastructure by addressing critical challenges across four key areas: developing energy-sector-specific risk quantification frameworks, enhancing ICS/OT cybersecurity and threat emulation, identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities across the entirety of Decentralized Asset Management Systems (DAMS), and establishing cost-effective counter-adversarial drone capabilities. Proposals will be accepted from eligible domestic entities with strong industry ties, offering awards up to $853,750 per project up to three years.

Review the Informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session (OSS) presentation.

Informational Office Hours will be held on November 13, 2025 at 2PM ET, click here to join OR submit your questions here by November 13, 2025.

• September 30, 2025: Opportunity Announcement and Application Open
• October 2025: Informational Webinar/Objective Strategy Session (OSS) presentation.
• November 13, 2025 at 2PM ET: Office Hours for outstanding questions
• December 1, 2025 at 5PM ET: Application period closes
• Spring 2026: Target Selection Date
• Spring 2026: Target Kickoff

• Must meet the Small Business Administration (SBA) definition of a small business for the relevant NAICS code(s) pertinent to the project’s scope (e.g., energy generation, cybersecurity, engineering services, R&D).
• Must meet the “domestic entity” definition for GSA (organized under US laws, majority domestic ownership/control, physical US place of business, and not owned/controlled by a Country of Risk).
• The proposed solution or expertise must directly align with one of the four SENTRY project areas (risk quantification, ICS/OT cybersecurity, DAMS cybersecurity, or counter-drone technologies).
• Possess at least one prior project, contract, or relevant expertise demonstrating capabilities in their proposed technical area. Detailed past performance would be assessed in the review criteria.
• Ability to demonstrate sufficient financial resources or access to capital to commence and sustain initial project activities prior to initial payment milestones. A basic financial health check may be necessary.
• Quoters may only apply to one of the four project areas to maximize their expertise.

1. Technical Merit and Innovation

• Understanding of the Problem: Clarity and depth of understanding of the specific energy sector challenge being addressed.
• Proposed Solution: Soundness, feasibility, and technical approach of the proposed solution. How well does it address the problem statement outlined in the Topic Area Challenges to Address section.
• Innovation: Degree of novelty, creativity, and potential for breakthrough solutions. Is the approach unique or an improvement upon existing methods?
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated expertise of the key personnel and their technical capabilities relevant to the proposed work.
• Scalability and Adaptability: Potential for the solution to be scaled up, applied across diverse energy utility environments, and adapted to evolving threats or technologies.

2. Impact and Broader Implications

• Energy Sector Impact: Potential for the proposed solution to significantly enhance the security, resilience, or efficiency of the US energy infrastructure.
• National Security Implications: Contribution to national security objectives through protection of critical energy infrastructure.

3. Team Qualifications and Experience

• Key Personnel: Resumes and experience of the principal investigator and key team members, emphasizing direct relevance to the project’s technical domains.
• Organizational Capabilities: Overall capacity and infrastructure of the small business to successfully execute the proposed work.
• Past Performance: Documented successful past performance on similar or related projects, particularly those involving advanced technology development, R&D, or deployment. (Focus on relevance rather than the sheer size of past contracts).

4. Cost Effectiveness and Value

• Budget Justification: Realism and reasonableness of the proposed budget, with clear justification for all costs.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Potential for the proposed solution to deliver significant value or cost savings to the energy sector relative to investment.
• Leverage: Any co-funding, in-kind contributions, or other leveraging of resources that demonstrate commitment and maximize the impact of DOE funding.

Please visit ConnectWerx’s Resources page for additional templates and FAQs.

• What are the key functionalities of a DAMS?
  • A Decentralized Asset Management System (DAMS) typically provides functionalities such as real-time monitoring of DERs, forecasting of DER output and consumption, advanced control algorithms for grid services (e.g., voltage support, frequency regulation, peak shaving), energy market participation, and data analytics to optimize performance and inform operational decisions. It aims to integrate these diverse assets in a way that maximizes their collective benefit to the grid.
• Can we apply to multiple topic areas?
  • No, an applicant will only be selected under one topic area. Please select the topic area best suited for your technology to apply to.
• What is a PIA and why is DOE pursuing this approach?  
  • Partnership Intermediary Agreements (PIAs) are agreements between the Federal government and non-Federal partners (partnership intermediaries or PIs) designed to increase outreach to and engagement with small business firms, institutes of higher education, and non-traditional partners.
• How will the agreement process work after DOE selection?
  • Upon conclusion of selection from DOE Program Office Representative (POR) and finalization of milestone schedule, ConnectWerx will issue a business-to-business (B2B) agreement to the lead performer for review and execution. The B2B agreement will contain mandatory flow downs from the prime Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) executed between DOE and Advanced Technology International.
• How does invoicing and payments work with ConnectWerx? 
  • Upon completion of milestones, invoices will be submitted to ConnectWerx for review with DOE and payment release. Incremental payments to the performer will be made in accordance with the established milestones and deliverables as written (and approved by DOE POR) in the B2B agreements. The payment schedule for each project is to be determined based on negotiated milestones and deliverables. Please be aware, additional documentation and support for expenditures may be requested as determined by DOE.
• How does an applicant apply? What is required in the application?
  • Information about how to apply, application materials, and deadlines will be available on the opportunity page once the opportunity has been released.
• What is the maximum number of entities that could be funded as part of the collaborative?
  • DOE encourages proposals of various size and scale and will fund projects accordingly within the program budget.
• Is this a grant or an award?
  • Neither. This opportunity is run via a Partnership Intermediary Agreement. PIAs are agreements between the Federal government and non-Federal partners (partnership intermediaries or PIs) designed to support DOE’s missions to expand the development and deployment of transmission solutions, heighten energy security, and strengthen national energy ecosystems.