Demonstration projects are sought for technologies or combinations of technologies (i.e. treatment trains) that can increase the efficiency of the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) long-term management of waters, soils, and aquatic sediments impacted by chemicals of concern. For those proposing projects addressing issues associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), review the SERDP and ESTCP Workshop Report on Management of PFAS in the Environment for more detailed information on demonstration needs in this area. 

The following topics are of interest: 

Monitoring. Demonstrate technologies for the assessment or long-term monitoring of chemicals of concern or biogeochemical indicators in soils, sediments, water, and biota.  

Reduction in Cost to Complete. Demonstrate innovative tools, methodologies, or technologies that can reduce the DoD’s Cost to Complete for impacted waters, soils, or aquatic sediments by improving performance assessment or optimizing treatment. Sites impacted by PFAS, 1.4-dioxane, chlorinated solvents, munitions constituents, PCBs, and PAHs are of most concern, but other chemicals of concern may be of interest.  

Reduce Source Loading of Munitions Constituents. Demonstrate innovative tools or technologies that can reduce source loading of munitions constituents during routine DoD operations and demilitarization activities.  

Stormwater Management and Treatment. Demonstrate innovative tools, methodologies, or technologies for stormwater management and treatment of runoff from DoD facilities. Consideration should be given to incorporation into existing Best Management Practices and to meeting National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. Stormwater impacted by PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, chlorinated solvents, munitions constituents, PCBs, PAHs, metals, and 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ) are of particular concern, but other chemicals of concern may be of interest. 

Wastewater Treatment. Demonstrate innovative, energy efficient, low maintenance systems for decentralized treatment or recycling of wastewater on fixed installations. Systems that are capable of operating in an energy neutral configuration, that produce power or materials that can easily be converted into power, and/or that are capable of generating water for potable or nonpotable re-use with attention to chemicals of concern are of interest.  

Risk Assessment. Demonstrate technologies that are focused on improving the military's ability to assess and predict human and ecological risk from chemicals of concern including but not limited to PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, chlorinated solvents, munitions constituents, PCBs, and PAHs. Areas of concern include exposure pathways to humans and ecological receptors, chemical effects on ecological receptors and tools and methods to assess environmental impacts.  

For FY26, ESTCP has issued one topic area for the Environmental Restoration program area through a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) to the private sector as well as one topic area of general interest:  

• Management of Impacted Soils and Waters
• Innovative Technology Transfer Approaches 

Investigators are encouraged to submit proposals through the DoD submittal process that respond to these BAA topic areas. These topics represent areas of particular interest to ESTCP.