1. CSO solicitation_29 Oct 26.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS DIRECTORATE

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE GUNTER ANNEX ALABAMA

29 October 2026

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

Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

FA8771-26-S-C001

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 its own specific technical requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions, and is not limited by anything in this general CSO..

1.3. This Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), in accordance with 10 USC 3457 and R-

DFARS 212.70 may award 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. 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, Focus

Areas, Problem Statements, 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.. In order to be awarded a FAR-based contract, you must be registered and hold an active status on Sam.gov.

2.1.1. 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. Closed Calls provide their own Focus Areas or Problem

Statements. 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.

2.1.1.1. One-Step Calls

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

2.1.1.2. Two-Step Calls

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

Step 2: Invited participants will be provided with a proposal due date and time will be provided in Request for Proposals (RFPs) sent to offerors who submit White Papers who are evaluated in accordance with the criteria stated in each Call.

2.1.1.3. Three-Step Calls

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

Step 2: Invited participants will provide a Pitch Day or preliminary proposal as specified in the relevant Call Step 3: Invited vendors will provide complete proposal to include pricing with Basis of Estimate (BOE) and Performance Work Statement (PWS) evaluated in accordance with the criteria stated in each Call.

2.1.2. 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 Focus Areas detailed in the Call. It is important to note that only white papers submitted in response to the specific Focus Areas 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.

2.2. Evaluation Factors - Every call issued under this CSO shall contain its own Evaluation

Factors. Solutions will be evaluated against that Call’s stated Evaluation Criteria, not against other solution briefs submitted in response to the same Call.

2.3. Proposal content and format requirements will be specified at the Call level.

2.4. Super Intelligence - The Government may utilize super intelligence (SI) and machine learning (ML) tools to assist in the administrative (compliance) review and technical merit assessment of submissions. Please be advised that the final assessment and awardable/non-awardable decisions remain with the human peer assessment panel and

Government Selecting Official (GSO)

2.5. 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.

2.6. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes- The Government reserves the right to amend the following list at any time. As of the date of this posting, this CSO allows for proposals under the following NAICS Codes:

2.6.1. 513210 Software Publishers

2.6.2. 541511 Custom Computer Programming Services

2.6.3. 541512 Computer Systems design Servies

2.6.4. 541513 Computer Facilities Management Services

2.6.5. 541519 Other Computer Related Service

2.7. Provisions and Clauses- Each Call posted under the BES CSO will have its own set of applicable provisions and clauses. Nothing in this CSO precludes any further specificity at the Call level, and the Call is the ultimate direction for submissions.

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 CSO 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 Vendor 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. Classified submissions must be handled, labeled, and stored in accordance with the national Industrial Security Program

(NISP) Operating Manual. Offerors must possess all required personnel security clearances, facility clearances, and other infrastructure requirements necessary to

[perform any proposed classified work in accordance with the Contract Security

Classification Specification (DD Form 254) without reliance on Government resources.

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 Vendor 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. 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.

3.14. 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.

3.15. 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.

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

3.17. 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

Direct all questions regarding this CSO to AFLCMC.GBK._CSO@us.af.mil https://wawf.eb.mil/ mailto:AFLCMC.GBK._CSO@us.af.mil

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

4.1. 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.

4.2. 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.

4.3. 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.

4.4. 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.

4.5. Open 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.

4.6. Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) - In accordance with 10 U.S.C 2371b(c)(1), 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:

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

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

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

4.6.4. 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.

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

4.7. 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”.

4.8. 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.

4.9. Small Business Concern: Defined in the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C 632) and 13 CFR

Part 121.

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