Private Capital Investor Cohort (PCIC)
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
SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM, is hosting a Private Capital Investor Cohort (PCIC) Assessment Event to identify private capital organizations with novel technology companies. The primary goal is to accelerate capability development for the Special Operations Forces Acquisition Technology and Logistics (SOF AT&L) portfolio. Submissions are due by February 27, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.
Objective & Background
USSOCOM requires a private capital cohort to help accelerate capability development across all USSOCOM Program Executive Offices. The objective is to provide a purpose-driven community focused on delivering new capabilities to SOF warfighters at speed and scale. This program will host in-person and virtual events.
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations should have a record of investing in defense technology, particularly those aligned with the SOF AT&L portfolio, and ideally, successful exits. Investments can be at Seed, Series A, or later stages, including growth equity and traditional banking. Companies must have raised an investment fund and be in the process of deploying capital. While not necessarily Venture Capital funds, they must be accredited investors. General Partners and employees of the Company must be U.S. Citizens. Passive Limited Partners that are non-U.S. entities will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Event Timeline & Potential Awards
This is a multi-phase assessment event:
- Phase 1 (Submissions Open): February 9 - February 27, 2026. Interested respondents submit their capabilities.
- Phase 2 (Downselect): February 27 - March 6, 2026. Favorably evaluated submissions will receive a Request for Information (RFI) around March 9.
- Phase 3 (Virtual Assessment Event): March 11 - March 27, 2026. Selected companies will be reviewed by a USSOCOM evaluation panel.
- Phase 4 (Path Forward): Successful evaluations may lead to negotiations for various agreements, including:
- Business-to-business R&D agreements (via SOFWERX Partnership Intermediary Agreement)
- OTAs for research or prototype projects (10 U.S. Code Sections 4021, 4022), potentially leading to follow-on production.
- Procurement for experimental purposes (10 U.S. Code Section 4023)
- Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA)
- Prizes for advanced technology achievements
- FAR-based procurement contracts
Evaluation
The Assessment Event is considered competitive, and solutions will be evaluated independently primarily for technical merit by USSOCOM Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). This notice serves as both an intent to research agreement feasibility under 10 U.S. Code, Section 4022 and/or 4022(f), and a pre-solicitation notice.
How to Participate
Respondents must download the White Paper Template and complete the online submission form by the deadline. Awardees may need to be compliant with NIST SP 800-171.