AFCENT Battle Lab Commercial Solutions Opening
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Air Force (DAF), specifically the AFCENT Battle Lab at Shaw Air Force Base, SC, has issued a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) under 10 U.S.C. 3458 and R-DFARS 212.70. This CSO seeks innovative commercial items, technologies, and services to rapidly acquire and deploy Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (cUAS) and defensive capabilities. This opportunity is continuously open, accepting and evaluating Solution Briefs on a rolling basis until the listed inactive date.
Purpose & Scope
The Air Force aims to obtain "innovative" solutions that fulfill requirements, close capability gaps, or provide technological advancements. "Innovative" is defined as any new technology, process, method, or new application of an existing one. The primary focus is on developing adaptable, integrated, and resilient defensive capabilities against rapidly evolving aerial and multi-domain threats. While primarily for AFCENT, this CSO may support broader DAF or Department of War (DoW) requirements under strict oversight.
Key Areas of Interest
The Government seeks end-to-end defensive solutions, encouraging teaming and strategic partnerships for turnkey proposals. Key focus areas include:
- Rapid Point Defense & Counter-UAS Capabilities: Deployable, COTS/near-COTS systems.
- Advanced ISR Integration & Data Analytics: Fusing multi-source data for a common operating picture.
- Multi-Threat & Swarm Defeat Mechanisms: Innovative kinetic/non-kinetic solutions against coordinated attacks.
- Agile Mission Software & Rapid Prototyping: Solutions for rapid manufacturing and software development.
- Modular Sensor Integration & Fusion: Scalable, modular open-systems approaches (MOSA).
- Sustainable Open Architectures & Integration Frameworks: Promoting continuous competition and modularity.
- Automated Target Recognition (ATR): Tools to rapidly identify airborne tracks and threats.
Contract Details
- Opportunity Type: Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) / Special Notice
- Contract Type: Awards will be RFO Part 12 contracts, with Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts anticipated.
- Duration: Open for one calendar year from its posting date, with potential extensions.
- Set-Aside: Small business requirements (RFO Part 19 clauses) will apply to commercial contracts awarded under this CSO.
Submission & Evaluation
Submissions follow a three-step evaluation process:
- Solution Briefs: Vendors submit written briefs (max 5 pages or 10 slides) addressing a specific Area of Interest/Problem Statement. Submissions must be unclassified.
- Pitch Session: Selected vendors may be invited for an in-person or virtual pitch.
- Proposal: Companies selected may be invited to submit a full proposal via a Request for Proposal (RFP). Evaluation prioritizes Technical Merit and Applicability, and Importance to Agency Programs, with Price being a lesser factor. The Government is not obligated to make any awards.
Eligibility & Notes
- Vendors must be registered in SAM.gov and have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
- Cybersecurity requirements (NIST SP 800-171, CMMC) may apply.
- Counter-UAS solutions must comply with NDAA FY26 Sec. 199, requiring validation and inclusion on the "Blue List."
- Foreign-Owned businesses may participate but could be limited by clearance requirements.
Contact Information
For questions, contact Hutton Cobb at hutton.cobb@us.af.mil or 803-895-9434, or Kelsey Brightbill at kelsey.brightbill@us.af.mil.