USSOCOM SOF AT&L INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY AND AGILE ACQUISITION, Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

Quick Summary

The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L) has issued a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) for "Innovative Technology and Agile Acquisition." This overarching CSO is open for two years, until February 28, 2028, to solicit innovative commercial technologies.

Call CSO-001, specifically, seeks a Commercial Consortium Management firm to establish and manage the "SPECIAL OPERATION FORCES – RAPID ACQUISITION CONSORTIUM (SOF-RACER)." This firm will manage a consortium covering 12 broad Areas of Interest (AOIs) for future prototype projects. Proposals for Call CSO-001 are due March 10, 2026.

Purpose & Scope

The CSO aims to rapidly field capabilities for U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) by awarding FAR and non-FAR contracts/agreements to traditional and non-traditional defense contractors. It addresses a complex future operating environment, focusing on information dominance, operator empowerment, accelerated decision-making, and survivability. Technology priorities include small, lightweight, rugged, modular, multi-use, low-power systems for extreme environments.

All proposed solutions must adhere to open architecture, modularity, interoperability, and open standards to foster a "system of systems" environment and avoid vendor lock-in.

Crucially, Call CSO-001 is exclusively for the selection of a Consortium Manager; technical solutions for the 12 AOIs are not accepted at this stage. The selected Consortium Manager will build membership and facilitate future prototype projects within these AOIs.

Areas of Interest (AOIs)

The 12 broad AOIs that the future consortium will address include:

• I: Market Research/Creative Development
• II: Design Development/Systems Engineering
• III: Multi-Domain Test and Evaluation
• IV: Rapid Prototyping/Low-Rate Production
• V: Information Dominance & Battlespace Awareness
• VI: Multi-Domain Communications & Cyber Operations
• VII: Scalable Precision & Lethality
• VIII: Human-Machine Integration
• IX: Advanced Engineering, Mobility & Logistics
• X: SOF Operator Performance & Sustainment
• XI: Power & Energy
• XII: Subsea & Seabed Warfare

Contract & Timeline

• Opportunity Type: Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) under 10 U.S.C. § 3458 and DFARS 212-70.
• Overall CSO Open Period: Two years, until February 28, 2028.
• Call CSO-001 Deadline: March 10, 2026, for Consortium Manager proposals.
• Award Type (CSO-001): Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for the Consortium Manager. Subsequent prototype projects may result in OTAs or FAR-based contracts, with potential for non-competitive follow-on production.
• Set-Aside: None specified.
• Published: March 11, 2026 (original posting date), with Amendment 001 posted March 3, 2026.

Submission & Evaluation (for Call CSO-001)

• Submission: Solution Briefs (White Paper or 10-slide PowerPoint, excluding title page) submitted electronically to specified contacts.
• Content: Must include Offeror Name, Title, Date, POC, Executive Summary of the consortium management concept, Capability Concept (unique aspects, commercial readiness, innovation in management), Previous work with USSOCOM SOF AT&L, and Offeror Viability (current consortium management contracts).
• Evaluation Criteria: Technical (Management of Consortium, Marketing/Recruitment Strategy, Innovation in approach), Importance to agency programs (Relevance to AOIs, Past Performance, Business Viability), and Affordability (Cost, price, budgetary considerations).
• Process: Phase I (Solution Briefs), optional Phase II (Pitch/Demonstration), Phase III (Request for Prototype Proposal). The Government may use AI for initial reviews.

Contact Information

• Primary: James Helmick (james.s.helmick.civ@socom.mil)
• Secondary: Ronald Reed (ronald.e.reed.civ@socom.mil, 813-460-6045)
• Additional: Vincent L. Seiferd (Vincent.seiferd@socom.mil)