Commercial Solutions Opening Tactical Maritime Survivability (TMS) and Target Vessel Embarkation Equipment (TVEE)

SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION

1.1 Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC), in partnership with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Program Executive Office Special Operations Forces (SOF) Warrior / Program Manager SOF Protection and Integration (PM-PI), and its subordinate and associated commands seek to accelerate the development, procurement, and integration of advanced Tactical Maritime Survivability (TMS) and Target Vessel Embarkation Equipment (TVEE) capabilities in support of the Joint Force, SOF, and allied maritime boarding elements. The core objective is to deliver standardized, ruggedized, and highly portable scaling and breaching tools to NSW operators conducting high-risk Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) and Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO).

1.2 NSWC seeks to award Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) contracts or Other Transaction (OT) agreements (see 10 U.S.C. §§ 4021-23) to establish a streamlined pipeline for next-generation embarkation equipment and specialized operator training. Resultant contracts or agreements will provide physical systems, material configurations, and/or training across a broad range of capabilities. These capabilities must directly support mission effectiveness in terms of high-angle scaling poles, high-load dynamic attachment hooks, lightweight tactical ladders, transport/buoyancy systems, and non-munitions breaching kits to be acquired, developed, or improved upon if already in use by NSWC, USSOCOM, the Department of War (DoW), or the U.S. Government, as well as interagency and FVEY partners.  As such, under the authority of DFARS Subpart 212.70, NSWC releases this CSO.

1.2.1 NSWC anticipates the award of a Firm-Fixed Price type contract in accordance with FAR Part 12.  Offerors are encouraged to review FAR 52.212-4 for standard terms and conditions of a FAR Part 12 contract.  

1.2.2 In addition, NSWC may award an OT Agreement in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 4022-23. Non‐FAR Contracts and Agreements are anticipated with nontraditional and traditional defense contractors to carry out projects that are directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of the SOF Operator and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or material to be acquired or developed by the NSWC, or the improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by NSWC.

1.3 Use of a CSO in accordance with DFARS Subpart 212.70 is considered to be a competitive procedure for the purposes of 10 U.S.C. chapter 221 and FAR 6.102 and the procedures set forth in this announcement satisfy the competition requirements within 10 U.S.C 4022(b)(2) and 4022(f)(2)(A).  Contracting Officers shall treat items, technologies, and services acquired using a CSO as commercial items. Agreements Officers may make awards in accordance with 10 U.S.C. §§ 4021-23. Awards made in accordance with 10 U.S.C. §§ 4023 are not subject to competition requirements.

1.4 Through this CSO, the Government may make awards in response to proposals for innovative technologies under a multi-phased process through December 31, 2028.  This CSO outlines the procedures to submit a response to the specified Area of Interest (AOI) and consists of three-phases: Solution Brief/White Paper, Demonstration/Pitch, and Proposal.

1.4.1 Phase I (Solution Brief/White Paper): Solutions will be sought under each specified AOI. Initial submissions will be requested as a Solution Brief (SB) generally in the form of a White Paper (WP) or Scout Card (SC) through the Vulcan Platform.  A team of Government subject matter experts (SMEs) for the relevant AOI will evaluate each submission for advancement to Phase II based on its potential to address capability gaps within the identified AOI.  The Government may elect to proceed directly to Phase III after a successful Phase I evaluation.

1.4.2 Phase II (Demonstration/Pitch): Solutions selected in Phase I to proceed to Phase II will undergo further evaluation in Phase II typically in a demonstration and experimentation setting.  The Government may host solution providers at NSWC or USSOCOM experimentation venues to develop actionable evaluation reports on invited innovations and their ability to address prioritized SOF capability gaps and needs.  Participation may be accomplished through an independently arranged Phase II Demonstration/Pitch with the Government.  Discussions may continue outside of the Phase II session.  Participation in Phase II would be entirely at the offeror’s expense.  Favorably evaluated capabilities may be selected to receive a Request for Proposal (RFP) that marks the beginning of Phase III.  Note, Phase II is optional for the CSO process, and may not always be conducted, or may not be required for every successful Phase I submission.

​​​​​​​1.4.3 Phase III (Proposal): The Government will only advance companies to Phase III if it intends to award a contract or agreement for the proposed solution.  Companies will collaboratively build Statements of Work (SOWs) with the Government team and negotiate Contract/Agreement Terms and Conditions for Award.

1.4.4 The Government desires to select capabilities for further action as a result of this CSO.  However, if a particular company or companies are not selected under any Phase, there shall be no charge to the Government for efforts made and no reimbursement from the Government.  Any company non-selected for consideration under any Phase may request continued conversations with the Government regarding the company’s proposed

SECTION 2 – AREAS OF INTEREST (AOI)

2.1 AOI 1: Advanced Maritime Boarding Systems

2.1.1 Description: Submissions should address innovative commercial solutions to modernize maritime assault and boarding operations. This AOI targets a critical capability gap in ship-scaling for SOF boat assault teams, where current manual methods (e.g., hook poles) increase operator exposure time alongside a target vessel. The objective is to significantly minimize the time required to establish access and emplace operators on a target vessel, thereby reducing vulnerability and increasing mission success probability.

2.1.2 Desired Capabilities:

2.1.2.1 Advanced Ship-Scaling Systems: Seeking advanced, powered, and potentially automated or remotely operated systems.

2.1.2.2 Powered Ascenders: Systems that assist or automate the vertical ascent for operators.

2.1.2.3 Advanced Hook/Grapnel Delivery: Systems for rapid and secure placement of hooks or grapnels.

2.1.2.4 Integrated Solutions: Integrated ladder and ascent solutions that streamline the boarding process.

2.1.2.5 Compliance: Solutions must be compliant with current NDAA language. Novel approaches beyond systems previously used by Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) or partner forces are highly encouraged.

This notice fulfills synopsis requirements.  Synopsis under FAR subpart 5.2 of any individual contract actions under this CSO is not required.  Companies are encouraged to monitor SAM.gov as this notice may be updated with additional AOIs.

SECTION 3 – GUIDELINES FOR SOLUTION BRIEFS, DEMONSTRATIONS AND PROPOSALS

3.1 The purpose of Phase I Solution Brief is to identify innovative solutions related to an AOI that effectively address SOF prioritized capability gaps.  Offerors are encouraged to follow the instructions detailed below.  The Government aims to provide an evaluation response within 45 calendar days after submission of the Phase I Solution Brief for selection into Phase II (if applicable) and within 30 calendar days after the demonstration / experimentation event.

3.1.1 Submissions – Phase I Submissions should be made via Vulcan as identified below in this section.  If sensitive or classified, offerors may request additional instructions by submitting an email to: NSW.CONTRACTING.CSO.SHDMBX@socom.mil. 

3.1.2 The CSO will remain open for a 26-month period; however, submissions are accepted only in response to specific calls issued under this parent CSO.  Additional calls are anticipated during the open period.

3.1.3 Note: As new focus areas are identified by Government stakeholders, additional AOIs may be added to this call. The Government may request subsequent solution briefs under this call for a period of three (3) months or longer if extended via amendment to this posting.

3.1.4 Phase I Submissions for call CSO- 001 

3.1.4.1 NSWC seeks to award FAR contracts and/or non-FAR agreements for innovative solutions relevant to AOI 1 under CSO H92240-27-SC-001.

3.1.4.2 The deadline for submissions is 26 October 2026 at 1900 PST. Submissions are to be submitted using the following link: https://vulcan-sof.com/login/ng2/submission?collectionUuid=6736461d-d958-4cf3-915d-581fe7352bad 

SEE attached FULL CSO Notice H92240-27-SC-001