The U.S. Space Force (Space Acquisition & Integration Office, Colorado Springs) runs a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO, a flexible way to buy innovative commercial technology) for Space Domain Awareness, meaning detecting, characterizing and predicting activity in space. Companies respond to specific Areas of Interest (AOIs) in three phases, starting with a white paper and PowerPoint briefing. The Phase I evaluation is complete and the government is notifying participants.
Watch out for
Phase I evaluation already finished. The notice says Phase I evaluation is complete and participants are being notified, so a new Phase I entry may not be possible unless a new AOI is posted. The initial evaluation for phase I has been completed.
Cybersecurity compliance required. NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC 2.0 compliance takes real effort and cost for a small business that has not done it. Offerors must comply with NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC 2.0 requirements.
No guarantee of award or payment for your effort. The government may fund all, some or none of the proposals and does not pay your response costs. The Government reserves the right to fund all, some, or none of the proposals received under this CSO.
Set-aside status is unclear. The notice text mentions a small business set-aside but the SAM.gov set-aside field says none used, so confirm before relying on it. Limitation: This acquisition is set aside for small business.
Possible classified work later. Later phases may need facility or personnel clearances and a DD Form 254.
Read from the notice text only.
Full brief
What they want
Innovative commercial solutions to detect, characterize and predict activities in the space domain
Solutions that improve the accuracy and timeliness of Space Domain Awareness data
Technologies supporting emerging Space Domain Awareness missions, such as software engineering and data analytics
Phase I: PowerPoint briefing (with Quad Chart) and a White Paper
Phase III (if invited): Technical Proposal, Performance Work Statement and Price Proposal
Contract type
Fixed-Price type contract under FAR Part 12 and Part 35; Commercial Solutions Opening under DFARS 212.70
Multi-phase evaluation: Phase I white paper and briefing, optional Phase II pitch session, Phase III full proposal
Offers due
Set by each AOI (SAM.gov response deadline field shows 2030-01-23T12:00:00-07:00)
How to submit
Monitor SAM.gov for AOI postings; general questions to SAIO.SDA.CSO@spaceforce.mil with the subject line 'SDA CSO – General Question(s)'
What to include when you submit
Phase I: submit a PowerPoint briefing including a Quad Chart and a White Paper summarizing your solution
Phase I submissions must be unclassified
Phase II pitch session is optional and by invitation
Phase III: full proposal with Technical Proposal, Performance Work Statement and Price Proposal
Follow the formats in the CSO and the applicable AOI
You must have
U.S. entities only Restricted to U.S. entities due to export control and national security considerations.
Comply with NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC 2.0 cybersecurity requirements Offerors must comply with NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC 2.0 requirements.
Small business set-aside (the notice text says so, but the SAM.gov set-aside field says none) Limitation: This acquisition is set aside for small business.
Later phases may require higher classification levels, as specified in the AOI and any DD Form 254 Subsequent phases may require higher classification levels, as specified in the AOI and any draft or final DD Form 254.
Not in the notice text
Whether any open AOI currently accepts white papers, and its due dates
Evaluation factors for each AOI
Contract value and period of performance
Whether the small business set-aside applies
Which Phase I participants were selected
Written by AI from the notice text on SAM.gov, and can make mistakes. Check the solicitation before you bid.
Is this a fit for your business?
FedReady checks notices like this against your business profile, tracks deadlines, and alerts you to new matches. Creating an account is free.
18 Mar 2026 Updated: Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) Phase I. The initial evaluation for phase I has been completed. We received a significant number of responses, and our team has given each submission the careful consideration it deserves. We will now begin the process of formally notifying all participants. This will be conducted in stages, starting with the offerors who were identified as "Not Selectable", followed by those deemed "Selectable", and concluding with the offeror(s) "Recommended" for selection. We appreciate your patience as we proceed with these Phase I final steps, and thank you for your continued patience as the notification process is executed. All participants will receive a formal notification regarding the status of their submission. 25 Feb 2026 Updated: Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) Phase I. We would like to inform you that the evaluation of white papers is currently ongoing. Due to the overwhelming response to this solicitation, our team is carefully reviewing all submissions to ensure a thorough and fair assessment are in alignment with the program's objectives and requirements. We appreciate the effort and thoughtfulness demonstrated in your submission and your interest in supporting this initiative. Once the evaluation process is complete, we will provide further updates regarding next steps and any additional requirements. Should you have any questions or need clarification in the meantime, please feel free to reach out to us directly. Thank you for your continued engagement and support of the SDA CSO program. Amendment 03_AOI 01 AOI-2025_01 - Amendment 2: CO Q&A Document Updated Amendment 2 has been posted to update the Question and Answer (Q&A) document for this acquisition. Please feel free to reach out with any further questions. Amendment 02_AOI 01 AOI-2025_01 - Amendment 1: CO Contact Updated and Q&A Amendment 1 has been posted to update the Contracting Officer contact information for this acquisition. A list of questions and answers for AOI-2025_01 are also attached. Please feel free to reach out with any further questions. Amendment 01 _ AOI 01 AOI-2025_01 - Solicitation Request: CFC SAIO/PKO is soliciting white papers on the effort(s) identifed as Area(s) of Interest (AOIs) to this solicitation. Type of Contract: This is a Fixed-Price type contract IAW FAR Part 12 and Part 35. Limitation: This acquisition is set aside for small business. Anticipated Award: Government reserves the right to award all, some, or none of the proposed solutions. Classified Information: Offerors are encouraged to submit unclassified White Papers to simplify and expedite reviews and response by the Government. Description The United States Space Force (USSF), through the Space Acquisition & Integration Office (SAIO), is issuing this Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)to solicit innovative commercial solutions that enhance Space Domain Awareness (SDA)capabilities. This CSO is authorized under DFARS 212.70and is designed to identify and acquire innovative technologies, products, and services that support the USSF's warfighting missions. The CSO provides a flexible, enterprise-wide acquisition mechanism to address SDA mission challenges through advanced software engineering, data analytics, and other innovative approaches. Submissions will be evaluated under a multi-phase process to ensure alignment with mission needs and operational priorities. Scope of the CSO The CSO seeks solutions that address the following Space Domain Awareness (SDA)mission challenges: Detecting, characterizing, and predicting activities in the space domain. Enhancing the accuracy and timeliness of SDA data. Supporting emerging SDA missions through innovative technologies. Specific Areas of Interest (AOIs) will be issued under this CSO to define technical focus areas, submission requirements, and evaluation criteria. Each AOI will be posted as a standalone solicitation module under this CSO. Submission Process The CSO employs a three-phase submission process: Phase I – White Paper and PowerPoint Briefing Offerors must submit a PowerPoint briefing (including a Quad Chart) and a White Paper summarizing their proposed solution. Submissions must align with the specific AOI requirements. Phase II – Pitch Session (Optional) Selected Offerors may be invited to present their proposed solution in greater depth during a virtual or in-person pitch session. Phase III – Full Proposal Offerors invited to Phase III must submit a complete proposal package, including a Technical Proposal, Performance Work Statement (PWS), and Price Proposal. The Government reserves the right to proceed directly from Phase I to Phase III. Key Information Security Requirements: Phase I submissions must be unclassified. Subsequent phases may require higher classification levels, as specified in the AOI and any draft or final DD Form 254. Foreign Participation: Restricted to U.S. entities due to export control and national security considerations. Cybersecurity Compliance: Offerors must comply with NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC 2.0 requirements. How to Respond Interested Offerors must monitor SAM.gov for AOI-specific postings under this CSO. Each AOI will include detailed submission instructions, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. Submissions must comply with the formats and requirements outlined in the CSO and the applicable AOI. For general inquiries, contact the SAIO CSO Contracting Officer at SAIO.SDA.CSO@spaceforce.mil. Use the subject line: "SDA CSO – General Question(s)". Disclaimer This CSO does not obligate the Government to award a contract, nor does it commit the Government to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of responses. The Government reserves the right to fund all, some, or none of the proposals received under this CSO.
Similar open opportunities
STAR-FISH CALL 017 - Secure By DesignDept of Defense · Dept of the Air Force · Kirtland Afb, NM · Due Oct 12, 2026The Air Force Research Laboratory (Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland AFB, NM) is asking for white papers under its STAR-FISH research announcement, CALL 017, Secure by Design…
Synthetic Training Environment (STE) Virtual Software (VSW)Dept of Defense · Dept of the Army · Orlando, FL · Due Oct 13, 2026The Army (ACC-APG Orlando, for the Simulation program office) is asking industry for solutions to the Synthetic Training Environment Virtual Software, a soldier training…
Restorative and health-Enhancing Sleep Time (REST)Department of Health and Human Services · National Institutes of Health · Due Oct 13, 2026ARPA-H, a federal health research agency, is seeking proposals for its REST program on objective, home-based, closed-loop sleep technologies that detect sleep patterns and…
2025 Army Geospatial Center (AGC) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)Dept of Defense · Dept of the Army · Alexandria, VA · Due Oct 13, 2026The Army Geospatial Center (part of the Army Corps of Engineers, Alexandria, VA) is running an open Broad Agency Announcement that invites research ideas on many geospatial…