SOF_ATL_CSO_QA_Updated.pdf

SOF AT&L CSO –Questions & Answers Document 3/3/2026

Parent CSO (Posted 24 February 2026) – Questions & Answers

Q1: Is this CSO open for constant submission through the close date?

A1: The CSO remains open for the full two‑year period; however, submissions are accepted only in response to specific Calls issued under this parent CSO. Additional calls are anticipated during the open period.

Call CSO‑001 – SOF‑RACER – Questions & Answers

Q1: Are there any formatting requirements for submissions, or may respondents use their own format?

A1: Submissions may follow contractor format. While not mandatory, the Government strongly recommends limiting submissions to 10 pages (white paper) or 10 slides (PowerPoint).

Q2: Must respondents address all twelve AOIs individually?

A2: Responses should focus on how the Consortium structure and management approach broadly support the Consortium Manager’s ability to enable member solutions across multiple AOIs.

Q3: May Solution Briefs be narrative or PowerPoint?

A3: Yes. Both formats are acceptable provided all required elements are addressed.

Q4: What type of innovation is the Government seeking?

A4: Innovation should be demonstrated in the structure, execution, and management of the Consortium—not technical AOI solutions.

Q5: Should respondents explain how their management approach supports AOI‑based prototyping?

A5: Yes. Respondents should describe how their management framework supports effective prototyping aligned with the AOIs.

Q6: What level of cost detail is expected?

A6: Only Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) information is required. Offerors may propose a percentage‑based consortium management fee or alternative structure.

Q7: How does this effort constitute a prototype?

A7: The prototype refers to the consortium management model itself—its processes, mechanisms, tools, and methods.

Q8: Is Call CSO‑001 limited to Consortium Manager submissions?

A8: Yes. Call CSO‑001 is exclusively selecting the Consortium Manager; technical AOI solutions are not accepted.

Q9: Are AOI references requesting technical submissions?

A9: No. Offerors should describe how their management concept supports AOI‑aligned prototyping—not technical solutions.

Q10: Will future Calls address specific AOIs?

A10: Yes. Future calls may identify additional Areas of Interest (AOIs), and we anticipate releasing further calls accordingly

Q11: How do vendors register interest in joining the consortium?

A11: Vendors should wait for the selected Consortium Manager to establish membership processes. There is no interim vendor registry.

Q12: Is March 10th the submission deadline?

A12: Yes. Solutions for Call CSO‑001 must be submitted by 10 March 2026.

Q13: Is consortium membership required for CSO‑001 submission?

No. Consortium membership does not yet exist and is not required.

Q14: Which consortium does this Call apply to?

A14: A new consortium—SOF‑RACER—will be formed under the selected Consortium Manager.

Q15: What capabilities does SOF‑RACER address?

A15: SOF‑RACER addresses the need for a scalable consortium management model that accelerates prototype development across AOIs I–XII.

Q16: Are all AOIs addressed under CSO‑001?

A16: The Consortium Manager must support all AOIs. Technical Calls will address AOIs individually.

Q17: Should technical AOI solutions be submitted now?

A17: No. Technical submissions should only be provided in future AOI‑specific Calls.

Q18: What are the submission format and page limits?

A18: White paper or slides accepted; recommended limit is 10 pages or 10 slides; title page is excluded.

Q19: Is a formal white paper required?

A19: No formal style required, but all Section 2.4.1 content elements must be included.

Q20: Is the Government accepting solutions for AOIs I–XII under this first call? If the answer is yes, should each response to an AOI be a separate solution brief?

A20: No. Call CSO-001 is not accepting technical solutions to any AOIs, so no separate AOI submissions are required.

Q21: If the proposer has two different proposed prototypes within the same AOI, should these be provided as separate responses?

A21: Not applicable. CSO-001 is only seeking consortium management submissions..

Q22: Is the evaluation criteria listed in the CSO for all calls under this CSO or only for Call

CSO-001?

A22: The evaluation criteria apply to the parent CSO and will be used for all Calls unless a future Call specifies additional criteria.

Q23: Will the Government dictate whether an award is FAR-based or an OTA, or may proposers express a preference?

A23: The CSO may use FAR-based or OTA awards as appropriate in future calls. For Call CSO- 001 – an OTA is the award type.

Q24: Is a ROM required in the initial Solution Brief?

A24: No. A ROM is not required in the initial Solution Brief. It is required later during the Pitch/Demonstration phase.