Communications, Network, Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology Services (CNECTS), aka "Connects"
Updated
Special Notice from the Department of the Air Force, for work in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Due Dec 23, 2026, 2:00 PM (UTC-7), 63 days left.
| Solicitation number | FA251827RCNECTS |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Air Force |
| Office | FA2518 Ussf Spoc/Saio |
| Notice type | Special Notice |
| Set-aside | Small business |
| Trade (NAICS) | All Other Telecommunications (517810) |
| Product or service code | DG01 |
| Place of performance | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Posted | Oct 20, 2026 |
| Response deadline | Dec 23, 2026, 2:00 PM (UTC-7) (63 days left) |
| Add the deadline to | Google Calendar · Apple / Outlook (.ics) |
Official notice and attachments
Description
The Space Acquisition and Integration Office (SAIO), on behalf of the 21st Communications Squadron (21 CS) under Space Operations Command (SpOC) at Peterson SFB (PSFB), CO, is currently exploring the feasibility of consolidating several communications contracts across PSFB, Schriever SFB (SSFB), and Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station (CMSFS). 20 October 2026 Updated: Providing a updated link to the CNECTS Teaming/Partnering Matrix Good morning, The link posted on 15 October 26 is no longer working.
Here is an updated link to use below: forms.osi.apps.mil/r/LkHE57UpWm.
Please copy link and paste in the browser. Also, I have uploaded a current copy of the Teaming/Partnering Matrix for your review since the count is up to 101. 15 October 2026 Updated: CNECTS CSO Official Release Schedule Update. Industry Partners, Due to mission challenges, the official release of the CNECTS Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) will not occur today.
The anticipated release schedule has slipped by approximately two weeks. A tentative updated milestone schedule is provided for planning purposes. All dates remain subject to change pending final coordination and approval.
While awaiting the official solicitation release, please review the updated Questions and Answers (Q&As) posted today. To reduce confusion and eliminate conflicting information, previous legacy documents and postings have been removed. Additionally, the Teaming/Partnering Matrix has been reopened for two weeks.
The matrix will close officially on 29 October 2026. Please select this link to add your companies' name to the Teaming/Partnering Matrix. forms.osi.apps.mil/r/LkHE57UpWm...
Thank you for your continued interest in the CNECTS CSO. 01 October 2026 Updated: Released of Draft CNECTS Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) and Areas of Interest (AOI) The Government is pleased to release the long-awaited draft Communications Network Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology Services (CNECTS) Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). The draft CSO is being released to provide industry an opportunity to review the anticipated CNECTS approach, submission process, evaluation framework, and Areas of Interest (AOI) before official release of the CSO.
The AOI is provided in Attachment 6, Areas of Interest (AOI), to the draft CSO. Industry shall not submit White Papers at this time. White Papers submitted in response to the draft CSO will not be reviewed, evaluated, or retained for consideration under the official CSO.
Submission instructions, the applicable AOI, and White Paper due dates will be provided with the official CSO release. The Government anticipates official release of the CNECTS CSO on or about 15 October 2026. The draft CSO is substantially complete; however, the Government may revise the draft CSO, Attachment 6, submission instructions, evaluation approach, or anticipated schedule before official release.
Industry is encouraged to review the draft materials and submit questions, comments, and recommended clarifications to the contracting officer at [email protected]. The Government will consider industry's feedback as it finalizes the official CSO. This notice is for planning and information purposes only.
It does not constitute a solicitation, request for proposal, commitment by the Government, or authorization to incur proposal-preparation costs. No award will result from this draft notice. 28 September 2026 Updated: CNECTS Draft Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) and Areas of Interest (AOIs) Release Update The Government appreciates industry’s continued interest in the Communications Network Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology Services (CNECTS) requirement and thanks industry for its patience regarding the delayed release of the draft Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO).
As the Government prepares for the anticipated official CSO release date of 15 October 2026, the Government is completing a final review of the draft CSO and associated Areas of Interest (AOIs). The Government’s intent is to release a draft that is substantially complete—approximately 90 percent complete—and that will not require major changes between the draft release and the official solicitation.
The Government anticipates releasing the draft CSO and AOIs during the week of 28 September 2026. This anticipated release date is subject to completion of internal reviews and approvals. Industry is encouraged to monitor SAM.gov for the draft release and any subsequent updates.
15 September 2026 Updated: Posting of the Draft Revision Documentation Timeline To ensure the draft reflects the most recent updates, refined requirements, and the valuable leadership feedback captured during higher level reviews, the Government is adjusting the release schedule for the draft solicitation materials. Draft CSO Release Date: The draft Commercial Solutions Offering (CSO) document is now scheduled to be officially released on Friday, 18 September 2026. 28 August 2026 Updated: Posting of the Final CNECTS Teaming/Partnering Interest Spreadsheet 26 August 2026 Updated: Reopening of the CNECTS Teaming and Partnering Questionnaire
- OVERVIEW & REOPENING ANNOUNCEMENT Due to this high volume of interest and to maximize opportunities for robust teaming, joint ventures, and prime/subcontractor relationships, the Government has reopened the Teaming & Partnering Questionnaire to allow additional interested parties to sign up.
- IMPORTANT DEADLINES To ensure all new vendors are captured, we have established an new hard timeline: New Submission Deadline: Friday, 28 August 2026 at 1:00 PM MST. No submissions will be accepted after this time. Updated Matrix Release Date: The final, most updated CNECTS Teaming and Partnering Matrix spreadsheet will be released and available for public access on SAM.gov no later than 2:00 PM MST on Friday, 28 August 2026.
- INSTRUCTIONS FOR NEW SUBMISSIONS If your company prev
The description continues in the official notice.
Contracting contact
- Rosalind Davis · [email protected] · (719) 567-6183
- Austin Frindt · [email protected] · 719-556-6947
As published on the official notice. Ask questions in writing and before any questions deadline the notice sets.
Is your business small enough?
For NAICS 517810, a business counts as small if it has no more than $40.0 million in average annual receipts (SBA size standard). This notice is set aside, so only businesses under that size, or in the named program, can bid. SBA table, current as of Oct 15, 2026.
Notice history
- Oct 15, 2026: Special Notice Due Dec 23, 2026, 2:00 PM (UTC-7)
- Oct 1, 2026: Special Notice Due Dec 23, 2026, 2:00 PM (UTC-7)
- Sep 28, 2026: Special Notice Due Dec 23, 2026, 2:00 PM (UTC-7)
- Sep 15, 2026: Special Notice Due Dec 23, 2026, 2:00 PM (UTC-7)
- Aug 28, 2026: Special Notice Due Dec 23, 2026, 2:00 PM (UTC-7)
- Aug 26, 2026: Special Notice Due Dec 23, 2026, 2:00 PM (UTC-7)
- Aug 21, 2026: Special Notice Due Dec 23, 2026, 2:00 PM (UTC-7)
- Aug 21, 2026: Special Notice Due Dec 23, 2026, 2:00 PM (UTC-7)
Companies that win this kind of work
Federal contractors paid for all other telecommunications work, who also hold Air Force contracts (last 12 months): possible competitors, or partners to team with.
- Peraton Inc. $144.5 million in this trade
- Indyne, Inc. $53.3 million in this trade
- Five Rivers Analytics, LLC $44.5 million in this trade
- General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. $25.4 million in this trade
- V2X Systems LLC $17.3 million in this trade
About the buyer
The Department of the Air Force awarded $83.0 billion in contracts in the last 12 months; its biggest suppliers were The Boeing Company, The Boeing Company and Raytheon Company. See what Air Force is buying now.
Who can bid: Small Business set-aside
Total and partial small business set-asides are open to any business under the SBA size standard for the notice's NAICS code.
All open Small Business set-asides.
All Other Telecommunications contracts right now
There are 4 open government contract opportunities in this trade (NAICS 517810), 3 posted in the last 7 days; 75% are set aside for small businesses. The agencies buying the most are Department of the Air Force, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs. Most of the work with a stated place is in Maryland, Colorado and Alabama.
All open all other telecommunications contracts
Coming up in this trade
Planned contracts from the agencies' procurement forecasts, often months before a solicitation. Plans can change.
Recent awards in this trade
- The Boeing Company $22.0 million · Department of the Air Force · Sep 30, 2026
From the award notices agencies publish.