Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) : Tactical Oceanography Supporting Full-Spectrum Undersea Warfare

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to vendor questions regarding the CSO N66604-26-9-A00X Tactical Oceanography solicitation.

• Past Performance References: If a contract is in CPARS, the contract number is sufficient. If not, provide feedback from a relevant point of contact and their contact information for verification. Excerpts from CPARS are also acceptable.

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL): Solutions are expected to be between TRL 3 (Proof of Concept) and TRL 7 (Full-scale Prototype).

• Budget: The top end of the CSO is $80M. Proposers should provide ROM for their concept/prototype and are not expected to adhere to an average project cost.

• Solution Brief Page Limit: The 5-page limit for the Technology Concept section of the Solution Brief is a strict maximum. Figures and diagrams are included within this page count.

• Multiple Solutions: Offerors may submit multiple technologies within a single solution brief, but only one overall submission per offeror is allowed.

• Teaming: Teaming partners should be identified in the Solution Brief if they are part of the proposed concept or prototype. Team members can be added after award with approval.

• Classified Content: Solution briefs must be entirely unclassified but can contain CUI if transmitted appropriately.

• New Requirement: This is a new requirement, not an incumbent contract.

• The government will not provide an extension to the current due date of April 17, 2026, 2 PM EDT.

• Hyperlinks are acceptable but will not be considered an official part of the proposal.

• Solutions that have been prototyped and field-tested are acceptable if they meet the SOW and offer novelty.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) seeking innovative, commercial technologies to accelerate defense capabilities. NUWC is expanding Tactical Oceanography (TAC-O) prototyping efforts to enhance Undersea Warfare (USW) capabilities. The CSO aims to award up to $80,000,000 through prototype project awards. The process utilizes Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) under 10 U.S.C. § 4022.

The solicitation requires technical expertise and support in areas such as oceanography, ocean acoustics, non-acoustics, USW system simulation, experimentation, prototype sensor and device development, systems engineering, operations research and analysis, and submarine tactics. The goal is to improve existing USW systems and inform future developments.

This CSO is structured in three phases: Solution Briefs (Phase 1), Pitches (Phase 2), and Prototype Project Awards (Phase 3). The total intended award amount is up to $80,000,000. Awards will be made via Prototype Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs).

• Phase 1 (Solution Briefs): Companies submit briefs detailing their proposed solutions. No payment is provided for this phase. Evaluation is based on merit of the concept, technical merit, past performance, data rights, and facilities.
• Phase 2 (Pitches): Companies with selected Solution Briefs are invited to present their solutions in person. This phase includes presentations, Q&A, and potential site visits. Evaluation considers relevance, technical merit, company viability, approach, cost estimate, production schedule, and data rights.
• Phase 3 (Prototype Project Awards): Companies awarded OTAs may be invited to submit project-specific proposals for prototype projects.

To be eligible, at least one of the following must be satisfied:

• A nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participates significantly.

• All significant participants are small businesses or nontraditional defense contractors.

• At least one-third of the total project cost is paid by non-Federal Government sources.

• The CSO is for prototype projects, which can include concept demonstrations, pilots, and agile development.

• Follow-on production contracts or agreements may be negotiated upon successful completion of prototype projects.

• Companies must be registered in SAM and have a DUNS number.

• Solution Briefs should be submitted unclassified. SOWs may involve Unclassified/CUI, Secret, and TS/CSI levels.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This SOW outlines requirements for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) to expand Tactical Oceanography (TAC-O) prototyping efforts. The goal is to enhance undersea warfare (USW) capability by developing new environmental sensors, improving operator situational awareness, and increasing the performance of existing USW systems through expert use of the ocean environment.

• Core Areas: Oceanography, ocean acoustics, non-acoustics, USW system simulation, experimentation, prototype sensor and device development, systems engineering, operations research, and analysis, and submarine tactics.

• Activities: Research and development to improve USW systems, inform next-generation attack submarines, and enable the hybrid Fleet. This includes concept development, experimentation, and prototype integration into Navy platforms for at-sea testing.

• Specific Tasks:

  • Develop prototype concepts for USW systems (onboard and offboard) and interfaces.
  • Analyze data from mission evaluation, modeling, and simulation.
  • Develop concepts, prototypes, employment tactics, and rulesets.
  • Provide human systems integration and human factors engineering analysis.
  • Conduct systems engineering and technical studies for new technologies.
  • Facilitate brainstorming sessions, wargaming exercises, and workshops.
  • Gather USW platform information for engineering modifications and Technical Data Packages (TDPs).
  • Modify or develop software for data collection and TEMPALTS.
  • Assemble IT artifacts, implement IT controls, and gain Authority to Operate (ATO).
  • Conduct analysis, modeling, and simulation of new concept prototypes and capabilities.
  • Analyze requirements for marine robotics and their impact on subsea warfare systems.
  • Provide preliminary systems engineering support, including Model Based System Engineering.
  • Evaluate capability concepts using analytical or modeling tools.
  • Conduct data analysis using GFI or generated modeling/simulation data.
  • Perform feasibility studies and Analysis of Alternatives.

• Deliverables: Prototype algorithms, feasibility studies, analysis reports, ruggedized oceanographic sensors, and prototype operator interfaces/decision aids.

• Progress reporting will be identified for each prototype project.

• Milestone payments are tied to performance-based milestones.

• Places of performance include various Naval Undersea Warfare Center and Naval Surface Warfare Center facilities, as well as other Government sites as specified.

• Security: Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) is required. Access to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), NATO, Alternative Compensatory Control Measures (ACCM), and Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPI) may also be required.

• Compliance: Adherence to applicable FAR, DFARS, NMCARS clauses, and NAVSEA text is required. Personnel must comply with security regulations, including NISPOM and cybersecurity requirements.

• Government Furnished Information (GFI): Will be made available as needed.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This SOW outlines requirements for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) to expand Tactical Oceanography (TAC-O) prototyping efforts. The goal is to enhance undersea warfare (USW) capability by developing new onboard and offboard environmental sensors and devices that improve operator situational awareness and information systems, enabling operators to increase system performance through expert use of the ocean environment.

• Provide scientific and engineering prototype deliverables in meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) sciences, tactical systems analysis, acoustics and signal processing, and information systems design.

• Support research and development efforts for Tactical Oceanography and the Full Spectrum Undersea Warfare Innovative Naval Prototype (FSUSWINP).

• Develop prototype concepts for USW systems (onboard and offboard) and related interfaces.

• Analyze data from mission evaluation, modeling, and simulation.

• Develop concept prototypes, employment tactics, and rulesets.

• Provide human systems integration and human factors engineering analysis.

• Conduct technical studies for new technologies and oceanographic sensor integration.

• Provide systems engineering, innovation engineering, and subject matter expertise for events like brainstorming sessions and wargaming exercises.

• Gather USW platform information for engineering modifications and Technical Data Packages (TDPs).

• Assemble IT artifacts, implement IT controls, and gain necessary authorities (IATT, LATTE, ATO).

• Conduct analysis, modeling, and simulation of new concept prototypes and capabilities.

• Analyze requirements for marine robotics sampling and their impact on subsea seabed warfare systems.

• Evaluate capability concepts using analytical or modeling and simulation tools.

• Conduct feasibility studies and Analysis of Alternatives for platform combat systems and subsystems.

• Prototype Algorithms for processing oceanographic sensor and USW system data.

• Feasibility Studies on integrating oceanographic sensors.

• Oceanographic Sensor and USW System Analysis Reports.

• Ruggedized Oceanographic Sensors suitable for deployment from submarines, marine robotics, and other USW infrastructure.

• Prototype Operator Interfaces and Decision Aids.

• Places of performance include various Naval Undersea Warfare Center and Naval Surface Warfare Center facilities across the US, as well as other Government sites as specified.

• Work involves Secret and Alternate Compensatory Control Measures (ACCM) information.

• Operations research and analysis involving Secret information will be conducted at authorized facilities.

• Security level for the prototype project is Secret.

• Agreement Holder personnel must adhere to NISPOM and other relevant security regulations.

• An OPSEC program must be developed and implemented.

• Alternative Compensatory Control Measures (ACCM) and Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPI) are required for tasks 4.1 and 4.2.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This SOW outlines the requirements for providing scientific and engineering prototype deliverables in support of Tactical Oceanography (TAC-O) and the Full Spectrum Undersea Warfare Innovative Naval Prototype (FSUSWINP) initiative. The goal is to enhance undersea warfare (USW) capability by exploiting the ocean environment to improve the performance of USW systems.

• Develop prototype concepts for specific USW systems (onboard and offboard) and related interfaces.

• Analyze data from mission evaluation modeling and simulation for submarine operational and tactical positions, unmanned systems, weapons, and fixed systems.

• Develop concepts and prototypes for employment tactics, tactical rulesets, and ruleset test cases.

• Provide human systems integration and human factors engineering analysis for future capabilities.

• Conduct systems engineering services for evaluating new technologies for launch platforms and payloads.

• Provide expertise for concept or technology brainstorming sessions, wargaming exercises, and tactical evaluation workshops.

• Gather USW platform information to support engineering modifications and deliver Technical Data Packages (TDPs).

• Assemble IT artifacts, implement IT controls, and obtain necessary test authorities (IATT, LATTE, ATO).

• Conduct analysis, including modeling and simulation, of new concept prototypes and capabilities.

• Analyze requirements for marine robotics sampling of the ocean environment and its impact on subsea seabed warfare systems.

• Evaluate capability concepts using analytical or modeling and simulation tools.

• Conduct data analysis using GFI or generated modeling and simulation data.

• Perform feasibility studies and Analysis of Alternatives for integrating ruggedized oceanographic sensors.

• Places of performance include various Naval Undersea Warfare Centers, Naval Surface Warfare Centers, Undersea Warfighting Development Centers, and other government and contractor facilities across the United States.

• Work involves Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

• Requires adherence to numerous applicable documents, including military standards, instructions, and guides related to technical data packages, human engineering, cybersecurity, risk management, and counterfeit materiel.

• Security classification is Unclassified, but personnel must adhere to NISPOM and other security provisions.

• Access to Unclassified Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (U-NNPI) may be required for certain tasks.

• An OPSEC program must be developed and maintained.

• Prototype Algorithms for processing oceanographic sensor and USW system data.

• Feasibility Studies on the integration of oceanographic sensors.

• Oceanographic Sensor and USW System Analysis Reports.

• Ruggedized Oceanographic Sensors (hardware and documentation).

• Prototype Operator Interfaces and Decision Aids.

Other / Unclassified

This document is an "Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Agreement" between the United States Government, represented by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), and a "COMPANY" (placeholder for the specific company name). It is authorized under 10 U.S.C. § 4022 and is awarded based on a proposal in response to NUWC's Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) for Tactical Oceanography (TAC-O) prototyping efforts.

This document outlines the terms and conditions of an agreement, likely for a prototype project. Key areas covered include:

• Scope of the Agreement: Details the background of NUWC's role and the purpose of the CSO.
• Statement of Work (SOW): Refers to an attached SOW (Attachment 1) which will detail the specific work to be performed.
• Security Requirements: Outlines adherence to NISPOM, DD254 (if applicable), and handling of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
• Term: The agreement is available for five years from award, with provisions for early termination.
• Obligation and Payment: Details how payments will be made, including accounting system requirements and the use of the Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF) system for invoicing.
• Allowable Costs: Defines what costs are considered reasonable and prudent for project execution.
• Cybersecurity Requirements: Includes detailed requirements for NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
• Intellectual Property and Data Rights: Outlines the rights and responsibilities of both parties regarding inventions, patents, and data developed under the agreement.
• Foreign Access to Technology and Export Control: Addresses restrictions on transferring technology to foreign firms or institutions.

Vendors responding to a CSO opportunity should review this document to understand the contractual framework, security obligations, payment processes, and intellectual property terms that will govern any awarded prototype project.