Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace
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 Defense (DoD) Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), in conjunction with The Applied Research Institute (ARI), has issued a long-term, open call solicitation for the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace. This initiative seeks new and novel AI/ML, digital, or data hardware, software, and service solutions to support the DoD in advancing research, development, prototyping, test, procurement, and sustainment. Solutions are submitted as video pitches and, if deemed awardable, become eligible for rapid acquisition pathways. This opportunity is open to all US-based companies, universities, non-profits, and individuals, with submissions accepted monthly until May 31, 2026.
Scope of Work
The CDAO is looking for solutions or capabilities that are new as of the submission date, or represent a new application of existing technologies. Submissions must address one or more of the TSM's Strategic Focus Areas, including improving situational awareness, decision-making, safety, predictive maintenance, business processes, cybersecurity, digital workforce development, autonomy, AI/ML scaffolding, reliable data sources, enhancing lethality, research, assessment/compliance, biomedical/human performance, and frontier AI. Submissions are limited to 5-minute video pitches and must be unclassified and free of proprietary or export-controlled information.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Open Call Solicitation / Marketplace (leading to various rapid acquisition pathways)
- Set-Aside: None (Open to all US-based entities; foreign entities may participate if compliant with international law)
- Submission Period: April 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026
- Submission Cutoffs: Last day of each month at 12:00 PM EST
- Assessment Results: Typically within 30 days of the collection period end
- Published: April 9, 2026
Evaluation
Solutions are assessed by a peer panel of government, industry, and academic subject matter experts. The assessment rubric includes criteria for Defining the Problem (15%), Accelerating the Mission (40%), Advancing the State of the Art (35%), and Business Model (10%). Solutions deemed "awardable" by the Government Selecting Official (GSO) are considered "post-competitive" and eligible for award under various authorities (e.g., 10 USC 4021, 10 USC 4022, 10 USC 3458, FAR/DFARS Part 35, DFARS Subpart 212.70). Award terms, including payment and intellectual property, are fully negotiable. Resubmissions of non-awardable solutions are accepted.
Additional Notes
The Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace also includes specific aisles for SBIR/STTR submissions and Prototype Transition efforts. All costs associated with preparing and submitting solutions are the responsibility of the entity. Placement in the Marketplace does not guarantee an award. All questions should be submitted via success@tradewindai.com.