072026 AOI 01 QandA FAQ.pdf

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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE

Space Systems Command (SSC) SYD-85 Kronos Program

Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) 2.0

Area of Interest (AOI) 01 – Operational Command & Control

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

July 2026

The Kronos Program Office received 169 questions from industry in response to the AOI 01 call issued under the Kronos Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) 2.0.

After reviewing all submissions, the Government identified recurring themes and consolidated substantially similar questions into the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below.

These responses are provided for clarification only and do not modify the terms and conditions of the Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). In the event of any inconsistency between this FAQ and the official solicitation documents, the solicitation shall govern.

Category Frequently Asked Question Government Response

1. Operational Environment

What operational environment is the Government envisioning for prototype deployment and demonstration?

Prototype demonstrations may occur in government laboratory, test, or representative operational environments depending on the capability. Specific deployment environments will be coordinated with offerors selected for Phase 2.

2. Government- Furnished Data

Will the Government provide representative operational, ISR, or synthetic datasets?

Government-furnished data is not guaranteed.

Offerors should propose representative data sufficient to demonstrate their solution. Where applicable, offerors may use authoritative or representative data sources such as the Unified Data Library (UDL), Space-Track/SATCAT, NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, or other appropriate Government or commercially available sources. Offerors will not be evaluated adversely for reasonable data assumptions made due to the absence of Government-furnished data.

When Government data is available during later phases, it may be provided as appropriate.

3. Existing Systems Is the capability intended to replace, augment, or integrate with existing systems?

The Government is primarily interested in capabilities that complement and integrate into the Kronos Family of Systems. Offerors should describe how their solution interoperates with existing architectures where appropriate.

4. Enterprise Architecture

Are there preferred architectures, APIs, standards, or data models?

Offerors should leverage open standards and modular architectures where practical. Detailed interface information will be provided only as necessary for selected prototype efforts. Offerors will not be evaluated adversely for reasonable integration assumptions made in the absence of Government-released interface documentation.

5. Cloud / Hosting Should solutions assume Government cloud, contractor cloud, or hybrid hosting?

Offerors may propose the hosting approach that best supports their solution. Hosting requirements may evolve during prototype execution based on operational needs.

6. Cybersecurity &

ATO

What cybersecurity requirements or ATO expectations apply?

Offerors should identify their cybersecurity approach and demonstrate a credible path toward compliance with applicable cybersecurity and authorization requirements. A credible path may include a documented cybersecurity and authorization strategy, identification of applicable requirements, current accreditation or authorization activities, identified gaps and risks, and a realistic schedule and milestones toward authorization. An authorization effort already in progress may satisfy this requirement when the offeror demonstrates sufficient progress and a reasonable path to completion. Formal authorization requirements will depend on the eventual deployment environment. Obtaining an ATO is not itself a required prototype deliverable unless specifically identified in the resulting prototype agreement.

7. Classification What are the classification, facility clearance, and security documentation requirements for Phase 1 submissions and subsequent prototype activities?

Initial submissions remain unclassified.

Operational security requirements will be determined during prototype execution based upon mission needs. All Phase 1A and Phase 1B submissions must be unclassified. Classified submissions will not be accepted during Phase 1 through any submission channel. A facility clearance is not required to submit under this Call.

If classified performance is anticipated for a selected prototype effort, applicable classification guidance and security requirements, including a DD Form 254 when required, will be provided as part of the subsequent phase or agreement process. Offerors should not assume access to Government classified facilities or networks during prototype performance unless specifically identified by the Government.

8. AI / Machine Learning

What AI/ML capabilities are the Government seeking?

The Government welcomes innovative AI-enabled capabilities that improve planning, decision support, situational awareness, modeling, simulation, and operational effectiveness. Offerors should explain the operational benefit of AI employed.

9. Modeling & Simulation

Is synthetic data, simulation, and training data within scope? Yes. AOI 01 includes the generation and synthesis of modeling, simulation, training, and exercise data;

capabilities that produce such data on a recurring basis;

and the conditioning of real-world data into usable forms, where applicable to Operational C2. End-to-end solutions spanning data generation and consumption may be proposed provided the submission clearly identifies the FAS 01 elements being addressed.

10. Mission Scope Is the Government seeking one integrated solution or point solutions?

Both integrated solutions and focused capabilities may be considered provided they address a meaningful operational need described within the Area of Interest.

11. Operational Users

Who are the intended users? Intended users include operational planners, commanders, intelligence analysts, mission operators, trainers, and other personnel supporting Space Force operational command and control.

12. Mission Priorities

Which operational problems are highest priority? The Areas of Interest identify operational opportunities to excel. Offerors should clearly explain the operational problem addressed and the measurable mission benefit provided by their solution. Government Interest will be assessed against the operational need described in the published Area of Interest and applicable Focus Area Statement.

13. Multi-Mission Applicability

Should solutions support multiple Deltas or missions?

Enterprise solutions capable of supporting multiple mission areas are encouraged where appropriate;

however, focused mission capabilities are also acceptable.

14. OTA Eligibility Which OTA eligibility pathway is preferred? Offerors may utilize any eligibility pathway authorized under 10 U.S.C. §4022. No preference is given provided statutory requirements are satisfied. For Pathway 1, the Government assesses significance qualitatively, based on the criticality of the nontraditional defense contractor or small business contribution to the prototype effort, including the technology contributed and its effect on prototype performance. The Government has not established a minimum percentage of workshare, labor hours, or agreement value.

Significant participation may be satisfied at the prime or subcontractor level. Offerors should describe the contribution and explain why it is significant to the proposed prototype.

15. Proposal Content

Can a single submission address multiple capabilities or Areas of Interest (AOIs), or should offerors submit separate proposals?

Yes, provided the submission remains focused and clearly describes the proposed capability. Multiple submissions are also permitted where appropriate.

Submissions under this Call must address AOI 01.

Capabilities aligned solely to another AOI will not be evaluated under this Call and should be submitted against the applicable Call. Offerors should identify the AOI(s) addressed by their submission

16. Phase 1B / Demonstrations

What should offerors expect during Phase 1B? Selected offerors may be invited to present demonstrations, videos, presentations, or participate in technical discussions. Detailed instructions, including presentation format, duration, and evaluation logistics, will accompany Phase 1B invitations. Selected offerors will be provided notice prior to their scheduled Phase 1B engagement.

17. Prototype Period

What is the anticipated prototype duration? Prototype periods will vary depending on the complexity of the proposed effort and will be negotiated with selected offerors.

18. Follow-on Production

How will follow-on production decisions be made? Successful prototype projects may be considered for follow-on production consistent with 10 U.S.C.

§ 4022(f). Prototype objectives and criteria for successful completion will be established and incorporated into the resulting prototype agreement. Successful completion will be assessed against those established objectives and criteria.

19. Government Furnished Property / Test Environments

Will Government infrastructure or laboratories be available?

Government facilities, laboratories, networks, or representative environments may be made available where appropriate during prototype execution but are not guaranteed for every project.

20. Administrative Questions

Questions regarding submission format, fonts, page limits, timelines, project titles, submission email, etc.

Offerors should follow the instructions on SAM.gov. Unless otherwise amended, submission requirements remain as published. Administrative clarifications may be issued through official CSO updates when necessary. Phase 1A submissions must be received at the submission email address identified in the Call no later than 1700 PT on 21 August 2026. The Project Title is offeror-furnished.

Figures, diagrams, tables, and workflow illustrations are permitted in the White Paper and count toward the five-page limit. Icons and graphics are permitted on the Quad Chart provided they comply with the stated formatting requirements. The Quad Chart and White Paper should be submitted in accordance with the file format and submission instructions identified in the Call.

21. Organizational Conflict of Interest

(OCI)

What are the OCI disclosure and mitigation requirements for Phase 1 and Phase 2 submissions?

Offerors are not required to submit OCI documentation with the Phase 1A submission. OCI information and any required mitigation documentation will be addressed during Phase 2 for offerors invited to proceed. The Government will provide the OCI Mitigation Plan Checklist and applicable submission instructions will be provided to offerors invited to Phase 2.

22. OTA Eligibility What information must offerors provide to establish OTA eligibility, when is eligibility substantiated, and may an offeror identify more than one eligibility pathway?

At Phase 1A, offerors should identify the intended eligibility pathway under 10 U.S.C. § 4022 and briefly state the basis for eligibility. Full substantiation of OTA eligibility will be required at Phase 2. Offerors may identify more than one applicable eligibility pathway. The Government will review and confirm statutory eligibility prior to award. For purposes of determining nontraditional defense contractor status, the applicable one-year Cost Accounting Standards lookback period will be assessed in accordance with the statutory definition and applicable DoD guidance.

23. Evaluation Factors and Order of Importance

How will the Phase 1A evaluation factors be applied, and are the factors weighted or listed in order of importance?

Phase 1A submissions will be evaluated against the four factors identified in Attachment 3:

Government Interest, Technical Validity, Eligibility for OTA, and Innovation Compliance. The factors are of equal importance and are evaluated collectively; no individual factor is assigned a numerical weight. The Quad Chart and White Paper will be evaluated together as a single submission. Information repeated between the two will not be viewed unfavorably.

24. FAS 01 Scope Boundary

What capabilities are within the scope of FAS 01, and may an offeror propose an end-to-end solution that spans data generation, processing, and consumption?

FAS 01 encompasses the generation and synthesis of modeling, simulation, training, and exercise data; capabilities that produce such data on a recurring basis; and the conditioning of real-world data products into usable form. End-to-end solutions spanning data generation and consumption are permitted, provided the submission clearly identifies the FAS 01 elements being addressed and demonstrates alignment with the operational objectives of AOI 01.

25. AOI

Responsiveness and Future Calls

Must a submission specifically address AOI 01 under this Call, or may offerors submit capabilities aligned to other AOIs or future Focus Area Statements?

Submissions under this Call must address AOI 01.

Capabilities aligned solely to AOI 02, AOI 03, or AOI 04 will not be evaluated under this Call and should be submitted in response to the applicable Call.

Additional Focus Area Statements and associated Calls will be announced through official CSO updates. Offerors should respond to the requirements of the specific AOI and Focus Area Statement identified in each Call.

26. Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software

What are the Government’s expectations regarding rights in pre-existing intellectual property, newly developed prototype deliverables, and data products generated during the prototype effort?

Rights in technical data and computer software will be negotiated as part of the resulting Other Transaction agreement. The Government does not require offerors to relinquish rights in pre-existing commercial software, technical data, or other intellectual property. Offerors should identify during Phase 2 any pre-existing intellectual property proposed for use or delivery and any associated restrictions. Rights in newly developed prototype deliverables and data products generated during the prototype effort will be negotiated based on the Government’s intended use and mission requirements.

UNCLASSIFIED