Air Force Operational 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 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL) has issued an Air Force Operational Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), a Special Notice, to acquire innovative commercial items, technologies, and services. This Total Small Business Set-Aside seeks solutions to fulfill requirements, close capability gaps, and advance technology, with a target value of less than $100M per solution. The overall proposal submission deadline is September 30, 2026.
Purpose & Scope
This CSO, authorized by Department of Defense Class Deviation 2022-O0007, aims to competitively award proposals for innovative commercial items, technologies, and services. The Air Force is looking for "innovative" solutions or potential new capabilities that address requirements, close capability gaps, or provide technological advancements. This includes existing technologies or procedures not currently utilized by Air Force units that could enhance or streamline mission capabilities. All items, technologies, and services will be treated as commercial items.
Key Areas of Interest
The CSO encompasses numerous Areas of Interest (AOIs) that have been added and updated through various amendments. The latest incorporated AOI is AOI 025: Immersive Training Governance & Integration, dated June 1, 2026. This AOI seeks proposals to develop governance, analytical, technical, and transition capabilities to create a coherent enterprise immersive training landscape for the Department of the Air Force, addressing fragmentation and aiming for an enterprise-wide strategy. Other AOIs cover diverse topics such as AI for remote air traffic control, aviation energy efficiency, logistics training, asset management, and VR training simulations.
Contract Details
Anticipated awards will be firm-fixed price. The Air Force advises that Prototype Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) awarded under this CSO may lead to follow-on production contracts or transactions without further competition. Solutions are generally targeted to be priced under $100M.
Submission & Evaluation
Proposals are evaluated based on technical merit (innovation, feasibility), importance to agency programs (mission effectiveness), and funds availability. The process typically involves a two-step evaluation, including a proposal review and potentially a virtual or in-person pitch. Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov.
Important Dates & Contact
The overall proposal submission deadline for the CSO is September 30, 2026, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. However, AOI 025 has a specific closing date of July 6, 2026, by 5:00 PM. Proposals must be submitted via email to 87CONS.CSO.Team@us.af.mil. Offerors are responsible for reviewing all amendments for the most current requirements and specific AOI deadlines.