CSO solicitation.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS DIRECTORATE

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE GUNTER ANNEX ALABAMA

29 April 2026

Department of the Air Force Program Business and Enterprise Systems (BES)

Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

FA8771-26-S-C0001

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. The Department of the Air Force (DAF), Business and Enterprise Systems (BES), invites commercial industry to participate in this Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). This competitive solicitation seeks to acquire innovative, Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS)

IT and business solutions to enhance Air Force capabilities, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. The CSO is a streamlined acquisition process intended to reduce procurement timelines and is open to all interested parties, including traditional and non-traditional defense contractors, large and small businesses, and research institutions.

1.2. This document establishes the general framework for a multi-year process and is not a request for proposals. Specific opportunities will be announced through individual Calls for Proposals (Calls), which will be published as needed until 2 March

2030. Each Call will detail the specific technical requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions.

1.3. Awards may take the form of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) based contracts or

Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) under 10 U.S.C. § 2371b. All awards are subject to the availability of funds and successful negotiations. The Government is not obligated to make any awards and is not responsible for any costs incurred by an offeror in responding to this CSO or any subsequent Call. The terms of this CSO will govern the process unless modified by a specific Call. This CSO is established under the authority of Section 7227 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2023

2. CSO SPECIFICS

2.1. Focus Areas - Each Focus Area identifies an area where prospective Contractors can bring substantial value to meet the BES mission. Focus Areas are meant to address emerging sustainment and operational requirements, and therefore this CSO is not limited to the following Focus Areas. Additional Focus Areas may be included via amendments to this CSO. The scope of this CSO encompasses the following Focus

Areas:

2.1.1. Agile Methodology: Provide a powerful framework for developing and implementing IT business solutions that are faster, more flexible, higher quality, and more aligned with business needs.

2.1.2. Integration: Seamless integration with existing IT infrastructure and tools is paramount.

2.1.3. Scalability: The solution must be able to scale to meet the growing needs of the

Air Force.

2.1.4. Security: Security features and compliance are critical to protect against cyber threats and maintain each program’s Authority to Operate.

2.1.5. Automation: Automating repetitive IT tasks, such as provisioning servers, deploying applications, and managing configurations.

2.1.6. Reporting and Analytics: Robust reporting and analytics capabilities are essential for monitoring performance and identifying areas for improvement.

2.1.7. Compliance: Ensure that the solutions comply with relevant federal regulations and industry standards.

2.1.8. Support: Vendor support and training are important for successful implementation and ongoing maintenance.

2.1.9. Artificial Intelligence: Required to keep the government at the forefront of the technologies available.

2.1.10. Reduced Cost of Ownership: Maximize DAF ownership and minimize the total lifecycle costs of the systems and programs within PEO BES.

2.2. Calls- This CSO allows for both Closed Calls and/or Open Period Calls which will be published via amendments to the CSO. All Calls issued under this CSO will include specific instructions which may include but are not limited to submission dates, Area of

Interest (AoIs), evaluation criteria and proposal instructions to potential offerors. While each offeror shall adhere to this CSO, the Calls will contain other information the

Contractor shall adhere to. Each Call will be announced on the Government Point of

Entry (GPE), currently SAM.gov, which may result in the award of the FAR contract or an OTA under 10 USC 2371b. In order to be awarded a FAR-based contract, you must be registered and hold an active status on Sam.gov.

2.2.1. Closed Calls (One-Step or Two-Step)

A Closed Call refers to a specific, time-limited solicitation within the broader CSO framework where white papers or proposals must be submitted by a predetermined date and time. Over the period of this CSO, Calls may be issued to request white papers and/or proposals for specific AoIs. It will be determined on a Call-by-Call basis whether the announcement is for one-step (Proposals only) or a two-step process (White Papers first, then Proposals by invite-only). The submission for white papers and proposals shall be submitted at a specific date and time as set forth in each particular Call. White papers and/or proposals will not be reviewed if submitted after the stated date and time. No exceptions will be made for late proposal submission, including technology issues encountered during submission.

2.2.1.1. One-Step Calls

Step 1: Proposal due date and time will be provided in Calls issued against this CSO.

2.2.1.2. Two-Step Calls

Step 1: White Paper date and time will be provided in Calls issues against this CSO.

Step 2: Proposal due date and time will be provided in Request for

Proposals (RFPs) sent to offerors that submit White Papers who are evaluated in accordance with the criteria stated in each Call.

2.2.2. Open Calls

An Open Call refers to a Call that allows for the submission of proposals or white papers at any time during a specified period rather than by a single, strict deadline. Open Calls will only be issued under a two-step process. After an

Open Call is published, white papers may be submitted at any time during an

Open Period for the AoIs detailed in the Call. It is important to note that only white papers submitted in response to the specific AoIs detailed in the Call will be considered. The Open Call Process will be as follows:

Step 1: White paper due date and time will be provided in Calls issued under this CSO.

Step 2: Proposal due date and time will be provided in RFPs sent to offerors that submit White Papers who are evaluated as selectable in accordance with the criteria stated in each Call.

2.3. Evaluation Factors - Every call issued under this CSO shall, at least, evaluate the following. The evaluation criteria will be further detailed and/or expanded upon as needed in specific Calls. When proposing, prospective Contractors should consider both the criteria stated in this CSO and the corresponding Call that further defines and/or expands the evaluation criteria. Solutions will be evaluated on the basis of the merit of the proposed concept in addressing the AoI, not against other solution briefs submitted in response to the same AoI. The Government reserves the right to alter or change the overarching evaluation criteria via amendments to this CSO. Mandatory evaluation factors include:

2.3.1. Technical: The soundness and technical merit of the proposed solution to adequately address the Government’s stated AoI need(s) that relate directly to the

Technology Focus Areas. AND the demonstrated feasibility of the proposed solution to address the AoI.

2.3.2. Importance to Agency Programs/Commercial Innovation: The degree to which the proposed concept provides an innovative, unique and/or previously under-utilized capability for government application.

2.3.3. Funds Availability

2.3.4. Price: Price shall be considered to the extent appropriate, but at a minimum, to determine that the price is fair and reasonable.

2.4. Proposal content and format requirements will be specified at the call level.

2.5. The Government reserves the right to extend performance to all, some, or none of the selected solutions and will be made based on the availability of government funds.

2.6. Non-Government Advisors and Source Selection Sensitive Information - Non-government advisors may participate in the evaluation of all submissions and shall have signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with the Government. Non-government advisors may also serve in administration & assistance support capacities. The

Government understands that information provided in response to this CSO is presented in confidence and may contain trade secrets or commercial or financial information, and it agrees to protect such information from unauthorized disclosure to the maximum extent permitted or required by Law. The Government will treat all submissions to Calls published against this CSO as source selection information. During the evaluation process, submissions may be handled by Non-Government advisors for administrative purposes and/or technical evaluation(s). All Government support contractors are bound by appropriate NDAs. Submissions will not be returned unless otherwise stated in the

Call.

2.7. Multiple White Paper/Proposal Submissions - Companies may submit multiple submissions in response to any single AoI detailed in each Call if each submission represents a separate and distinct concept. However, for each individual submission, prospective Contractors may only address one concept per submission unless otherwise detailed in the individual Calls.

2.8. Future Award Opportunity - All solution briefs and/or proposals that are evaluated as

“technically acceptable" or "selectable" but are not chosen for an initial contract award will be retained by the Government in a vendor pool for a period not to exceed 1 year from the due date of the solution brief and/or proposal. Should a new requirement arise with a similar scope and nature of the original Call, the Government reserves the right to issue an RFP to some, all, or none of the submissions within this vendor pool. Awards for future requirements may be based on the original evaluation criteria of this CSO, any additional criteria specified in the subsequent RFP or call, or on revised criteria better suited to the future requirement at the Government’s discretion. This process is considered a component of the original competitive procedures.

3. CONTRACT/AGREEMENT PARTICULARS

3.1. Fraud and False Statements - Knowingly and willfully making any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations may be a felony under the Federal Criminal

False Statement Act (18 U.S.C. 1001), punishable by a fine up to $10,000, up to five years in prison, or both.

3.2. As stated in the Introduction Section, Calls issued under this CSO can result in the award of either a FAR Contract or an OTA under 10 USC 2371b. This solicitation does not accept offers for grants or cooperative agreements.

3.3. Any Call posted by the Government under this CSO could result in the potential award of a follow-on production or solution integration contract or OT.

3.4. The Government will be the decision authority on whether to pursue a FAR Contract, an

OTA or no award at all. The Government reserves the right to award some, all, or none of the proposals from responses to each Call. The Contracting/Agreements Officer reserves the right to negotiate directly with the offeror on the terms and conditions prior to execution of the resulting contract/agreement on behalf of the Government. Only a

Contracting/Agreements Officer has the authority to enter, or modify, a binding contract/agreement on behalf of the United States Government.

3.5. Small Business - FAR-based contracts awarded pursuant to this CSO shall include FAR

52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2018). FAR-based contracts awarded pursuant to this CSO which meet FAR Subpart 19.7 criteria for small business subcontracting plans shall include FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan

(March 2020).Offerors shall address plans to comply with these requirements as part of their Proposals if seeking FAR contracts, or if seeking OTs which provide for follow-on non-competitive production contracts. Offerors not seeking either instrument in the preceding sentence shall clearly state so as part of their Proposal and shall address these requirements as part of competition for follow-on production contracts. If any follow-on production contracts are required to have small business subcontracting plans and are negotiated using FAR Part 15, DFARS 215.304(c) Small Business Participation Plans shall be required. Government reserves the right to small business set asides and will be stated at the call level.

3.6. Proprietary Information - Information constituting a trade secret, commercial or financial information, confidential personal information, or data affecting national security must be clearly marked. It shall be treated in confidence to the extent permitted by law. This restriction does not limit the Government’s right to use information contained if it is obtained from another source without restriction. The Government assumes no liability for disclosure or use of unmarked data and may use or disclose such data for any purpose. If a proposer is awarded a contract as a result of or in connection with the submission of proprietary data in a proposal, the Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting contract/agreement.

3.7. Classified Proposals - Classified whitepapers/proposals will not be accepted under this

CSO unless otherwise stated in the Call. If topics require classified work, the proposing firm must have a facility clearance to perform the work.

3.8. Security - Security Classification will be determined for each Call/Award. If classified data is accessed or generated, a facility and storage clearance, at the required classification level, will be required and the proposal will discuss appropriate personnel and facility clearances.

3.9. If a submitter has any reason to believe their concept may reference ideas or operations that require special protection, the submitter should immediately contact the

Contracting/Agreements Officer for further instructions.

3.10. If a DD254 is applicable for Call/Award, offerors must verify their Cognizant

Security Office information is current with Defense Security Service (DSS).

3.11. Promotional Material - Promotional and non-project related discussion is discouraged, and additional information provided via (URL) links or on computer disks, CDs, DVDs, video tapes or any other medium will not be accepted or considered in the proposal evaluation unless otherwise directed by the Call or the Contracting

Officer/Agreements Officer. This also means that unnecessarily elaborate brochures or proposals are not desired.

3.12. Export-Controlled Items - Depending on the proposal, it may be subject to Export

Control (International Traffic in Arms (ITAR) 22 CFR 120-131, or Export

Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 CFR 710-774). If the effort is subject to export controls, then a Certified DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, will be required to be submitted with proposals. DFARS 252.225-7048, “Export-

Controlled Item (Jun 2013)” clause shall be contained in all resulting contracts.

3.13. FAR Part 12 Considerations - In accordance with DRAFS 227-7102-1 the

Government only seeks to acquire the technical data that is necessary to meet DoD’s minimum requirements. As a result, DFARS Clauses 252-227-7015 and 252.227-7037 will be included on each FAR Part 12 Contract awarded as a result of this CSO. If additional data rights are considered warranted, the Government reserves the right to negotiate these with prospective Contractors as part of the Contracting process. If the

Government pays for any portion of development costs, DFARS 252.227-7013 will be included to govern the associated technical data for the portion of Commercial items that was developed at Government expense. For the portion of Commercial items that were developed exclusively at private expense, DFARS 252.227-7015 will still govern the technical data associated with those. Companies whose effort originated under the SBIR program will maintain standard SBIR Data Rights IAW DFARS 252.227-7018 (CD

2020-O0007). Additional Clauses may be applicable depending on the solution and requirements associated with it.

3.14. Foreign-Owned businesses may independently submit a solution or do so as part of a teaming arrangement with one or more United States-Owned businesses. However, the ability to obtain a contract/agreement based upon a submission may depend upon the ability of the Foreign-Owned business to obtain necessary clearances and approvals to obtain proscribed information.

3.15. Within Scope Modifications - Potential offerors are advised that awards resulting from the Calls under this CSO may be modified during the performance to make within scope changes. Only a Contracting/Agreements Officer can legally bind a contract/agreement modification on behalf of the United States Government.

3.16. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and SAM Registration - Offerors must register in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to receiving an award or agreement.

Offerors must be determined to be responsible by the Contracting/Agreements Officer and must not be suspended or debarred from award by the Federal Government nor be prohibited by Presidential Executive Order and/or law from receiving an award.

3.17. WAWF Registration -Offerors must be registered in the prescribed government invoicing system (Wide Area Work Flow: https://wawf.eb.mil/ )

3.18. Cost Sharing or Matching -Cost sharing or matching will be considered based on the solutions proposed and details associated with each call. The Government has the final decision authority on whether to enter into a cost sharing or matching agreement.

4. CSO CONTACT INFORMATION

Contracting: Capt Gini Hicks/gini.hicks.1@us.af.mil; Mary Beth Jackson mary.jackson.17@us.af.mil,; and Ebony Stewart ebony.stewart.2@us.af.mil https://wawf.eb.mil/ mailto:Hicks/gini.hicks.1@us.af.mil mailto:mary.jackson.17@us.af.mil mailto:ebony.stewart.2@us.af.mil

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

4.1. Area of Interest (AoIs): These are specific requests for innovative solutions that ESO will detail in each subsequent Call and will derive from the Area of Interest specifically.

Contractors’ innovative solutions should focus on addressing a specific AoI.

4.2. Closed Calls: This type of Call allows for white paper and/or proposal submittals at a specified date and time as set forth in the subsequent Call. This process and the dates associated with it are more structured than Open Period Calls.

4.3. CSO with Calls: This allows for publication of an umbrella CSO solicitation that contains overarching information and does not request white papers or proposals be submitted at this time. The CSO functions as a framework identifying the key considerations and giving the basic terms and administrative information of the CSO.

The requests for white papers and/or proposals are done by issuing Calls that are published via amendments to the CSO. Calls can be issued at any time during the open period of the CSO. Each Call will be tailored to best fit the acquisition approach identified by the Government. The Calls may also include specific terms that apply to that Call including but not limited to further details and pertinent clauses. Proposals or white papers are submitted only when Calls under this CSO are published.

4.4. Follow-on Production of a Prototype- After award of a prototype using OT authority, the

Government and offeror may negotiate a follow-on contract or OT for production or solution integration with or without further competition. Any concept/technology/solution successfully proven through a Prototype OT can be transitioned to a production contract. The Government reserves the right to award a follow-on contract or OT before the prototype is complete, under competitive procedures as provided in 10 U.S.C. 2371b.

4.5. Innovative: This refers to any technology, process, or method, including research and development that is new as of the date of proposal submission; or any new application of an existing technology, process or method as of the proposal date.

4.6. Iterative Prototyping - A contract or OT for a prototype awarded under this CSO shall allow for an iterative prototyping process. An iterative prototyping process will allow the

Government to modify, by mutual agreement, the scope of a prototype contract or OT to allow for the adaptation and modification of the technology being prototyped to meet additional unique and discrete purposes/mission sets. The sequential prototype iterations may result in a separate prototype project rather than a modification of the original prototype contract or OT. These additional unique and discrete purposes/mission sets can be generated by Government or originate within any organization that Government supports.

4.7. Nontraditional Defense Contractor: As defined in 10 U.S.C 2302(9) as an entity that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least the one-year preceding the solicitation of sources by the DoD for the procurement or transaction, any contract or subcontract for the DoD that is subject to full coverage under the cost accounting standards prescribed pursuant to 41 U.S.C 1502 and the regulations implementing such section. This includes all small business concerns under the criteria and size standards in

13. C.F.R. Part 121.

4.8. Open Period Calls: This type of Call allows for white papers and proposals submittals at any time within a specified timeframe as set forth in the subsequent Call.

4.9. Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) - In accordance with 10 U.S.C 2371b(c), if an

Agreement for a prototype is utilized and if that Agreement provides for payments in a total amount in excess of $5,000,000, the Agreement will include a mandatory clause that provides for the Comptroller General the ability to examine the records of any party to the agreement or any entity that participates in the performance of the agreement. The

$5,000,000 amount includes the base agreement plus options. Additionally, to enter into an OT for a Prototype agreement under 10 U.S.C. 2371b, one of the following conditions must be met:

4.9.1. There is at least one nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participating to a significant extent in the prototype project.

4.9.2. All significant participants other than the Federal Government are small businesses or non-traditional defense contractors.

4.9.3. Parties to the transaction other than the Federal Government must pay at least one third of the prototype project total cost.

4.9.4. The senior procurement executive determines that exceptional circumstances justify the use of an OT to provide an innovative business arrangement not feasible under a contract or to expand the defense supply base in a manner that is not practical under this contract.

4.9.5. Further specifics and requirements as it relate to OTs may be applicable and included in subsequent Calls published under this CSO.

4.9.6.

4.10. Other Transaction: Refers to the type of OTA that may be placed as a result of this

CSO and associated Calls in place of a FAR type contract. This type of OT is authorized by 10 U.S.C. 2371b for prototype projects directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness or military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the DoD, or for this improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the armed forces. This type of

OTA is treated by DoD as an acquisition instrument, commonly referred to as an “other transaction” for a prototype project or a Section 2371b “other transaction”.

4.11. Pitch Day: Pitch Day is a tool that can be used as part of the Call process. When used, Pitch Day gives Contractors an opportunity to meet Government personnel in person and provide a Pitch of their proposed solution. When Pitch Day is utilized, specific details explaining the process and evaluation methods will be contained in the specific call.

4.12. Prototype Project: Can generally be described as a proof of concept, model, reverse engineering to address obsolescence, pilot, novel application of commercial IT solutions for defense purposes, agile development activity, creation, design, development, demonstration of technical or operational utility, or a combination of the foregoing. A process, including a business process, may also be the subject of a prototype project. Although assistance terms are generally not appropriate in OT agreements in 10. U.S.C. 2371b, ancillary work efforts that are necessary for completion of the prototype projects will be included. A prototype may be physical, virtual, or conceptual in nature. The quantity of prototypes/commercial solutions should generally be limited to that needed to prove technical or manufacturing feasibility or evaluate military utility.

4.13. Prototyping - This CSO may result in the award of prototype projects, which include not only commercially available technologies fueled by commercial or strategic investment, but also concept demonstrations, pilots, and agile development activities that can incrementally improve commercial technologies, existing government-owned capabilities, and/or concepts for broad defense and/or public application(s). The

Government reserves the right to award a FAR contract, or an Other Transaction (OT) under 10 USC 2371b agreement (including an OT for a prototype project and a follow-on OT or contract for production), or no award at all. Calls issued under this CSO constitute competitive procedures. The Government may competitively award OTs for prototype projects that provide for the award of a follow-on production contract or OT for production to participants in the OT for prototype projects without the use of further competitive procedures, if the participant in the OT for prototype projects successfully completes the prototype project, as permitted by 10 U.S.C. 2371b(f).

4.14. Small Business Concern: Defined in the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C 632) and

13 CFR Part 121.

4.15. Successful Completion of Prototype - A prototype project is complete upon the written determination of the appropriate approving official (program manager and

Contracting/Agreements Officer) for the matter in question that the efforts conducted under a prototype contract or OT: (1) met the key technical goals of a project; (2) met the metrics incorporated into the prototype contract or OT; or (3) accomplished a particularly favorable or unexpected result that justifies the transition to a production contract or OT. Furthermore, prior to successful completion of a prototype project under this CSO, the Government can transition any aspect of the prototype project determined to provide utility into production while other aspects of the prototype project have yet to be completed.

4.16. White Paper: A brief (usually 2-5 pages) summary of the proposed technical approach with an accompanying rough-order-of-magnitude (ROM) price.