Communications, Network, Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology Services (CNECTS), aka "Connects"
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, Space Operations Command (SpOC) / Space Acquisition and Integration Office (SAIO), on behalf of the 21st Communications Squadron (21 CS), is seeking Communications, Network, Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology Services (CNECTS). This effort, also known as "Connects," aims to consolidate multiple existing contracts across Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB, and Cheyenne Mountain SFS, CO. The acquisition will be competed as a 100% Small Business Set-Aside. The overall response date for this Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) is December 23, 2026.
Purpose & Scope
The SAIO is modernizing and streamlining IT services by transitioning from a reactive, siloed support model to a proactive, integrated, and data-driven enterprise service delivery framework. This consolidation effort addresses inefficiencies, including duplicated costs and inconsistent services, across four legacy contracts: Base Operating Support-Information Technology (BOS-IT), Cheyenne Mountain SFS 21 CS Communications Contract, Wing Information & Communications Support (WICS), and Plans and Programs Engineering Design Support (PEDS). The scope includes comprehensive support for information systems infrastructure, network operations, client systems, cybersecurity, and engineering design.
Acquisition Strategy & Contract Details
This acquisition will utilize a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), a multi-phase process designed to solicit innovative commercial solutions. Phase I involves broad solicitation and white paper submissions, followed by Phase III for proposal submissions (Phase II pitch sessions have been eliminated). The government plans a single award with a hybrid CLIN strategy, including Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) for baseline services and potentially FPIF or FFP Level of Effort for modernization and flexibility. The NAICS code is 517810 (All Other Telecommunications) with a $40M small business size standard. The Period of Performance is projected to begin August 1, 2027.
Key Requirements
The CSO seeks innovative technologies, processes, or business practices aligned with specific Areas of Interest (AOIs). These include:
- BOS-IT: AIOps for Predictive Network Operations, Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), Digital Twin for Infrastructure Management.
- WICS II: Integrated Mission Operations Center (MOC), Condition-Based and Predictive Maintenance, Digital Supply Chain and Logistics.
- NISSC III: Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), Secure DevOps (DevSecOps) for Legacy Systems, Hybrid Cloud Environment for Data Processing.
- PEDS: Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Platform, Automated Design and Integration Analysis, Agile Requirements Management. Solutions should emphasize superior and innovative approaches beyond standard industry practices.
Evaluation & Deadlines
Evaluation will consider Technical Merit/Applicability, Importance to Agency Programs, and Price & Value to the Government. CMMC Level 3 readiness is a prerequisite for award, requiring a self-assessment posted to SPRS, with formal CMMC certification required at the time of award for contracts explicitly stating a CMMC level. The CSO is expected to close on December 1, 2026 (from CSO Draft), with the overall opportunity response date listed as December 23, 2026.
Updates & Next Steps
The government has confirmed the acquisition will be a 100% Small Business Set-Aside. Interested parties should continue to monitor SAM.gov for all formal notifications, updated timelines, and future releases of information.