Department of the Air Force Program Business and Enterprise Systems (BES) Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)
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) Business and Enterprise Systems (BES) Directorate has issued a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) as a presolicitation notice. This CSO establishes a multi-year framework to acquire innovative, Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) IT and business solutions to enhance Air Force capabilities, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. No responses are being accepted at this time. Specific opportunities will be announced through individual "Calls for Proposals" until March 2, 2030.
Purpose & Overview
This CSO aims to streamline the acquisition of cutting-edge commercial solutions from all interested parties, including traditional and non-traditional defense contractors, large and small businesses, and research institutions. It is designed to reduce procurement timelines for critical IT and business needs within the DAF BES Directorate.
Key Requirements / Focus Areas
Specific technical requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions will be detailed in future "Calls for Proposals." The CSO encompasses the following initial Focus Areas, with potential for additional areas via amendments:
- Agile Methodology
- Integration
- Scalability
- Security
- Automation
- Reporting and Analytics
- Compliance
- Support
- Artificial Intelligence
- Reduced Cost of Ownership
Contract Details
Awards may take the form of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) based contracts or Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) under 10 U.S.C. § 2371b. The CSO itself governs the process unless modified by a specific Call. This framework is established under the authority of Section 7227 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2023.
Submission & Evaluation
Future Calls will be announced on SAM.gov and will provide specific instructions, submission dates, Areas of Interest (AoIs), evaluation criteria, and proposal guidelines. Offerors must be registered and active on SAM.gov for FAR-based contracts. Evaluation factors will include Technical merit, Importance to Agency Programs/Commercial Innovation, and Price (fair and reasonable).
Eligibility / Set-Aside
FAR-based contracts awarded under this CSO will include FAR 52.219-8 (Utilization of Small Business Concerns) and potentially FAR 52.219-9 (Small Business Subcontracting Plan). The Government reserves the right to implement small business set-asides, which will be explicitly stated at the individual Call level.
Notes
- Offerors must register in the System for Award Management (SAM).
- Offerors must be registered in the Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF) system.
- Classified proposals are generally not accepted unless specified in a Call.
- Export-controlled items may be subject to ITAR or EAR regulations.
- Foreign-owned businesses may submit solutions but may require necessary clearances.