CNECTS CSO Draft v1.0

Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

FA2518-26-S-CNECTS

Combat Forces Command (CFC)
Communications, Network, Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology Services (CNECTS, pronounced “Connects”)
Space Acquisition & Integration Office (SAIO)

Record of Revision
Version
Description
Date
1.0
Initial Draft for Review
9.29.2026

TOC \o "1-1" \h \z \u

1. DEFINITIONS PAGEREF _Toc241582106 \h 4

2. GENERAL INFORMATION PAGEREF _Toc241582107 \h 5

3. CSO APPROACH PAGEREF _Toc241582108 \h 7

4. SUBMISSION INFORMATION PAGEREF _Toc241582109 \h 9

5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PAGEREF _Toc241582110 \h 13

6. ATTACHMENT 1: PHASE I WHITE PAPER FORMAT PAGEREF _Toc241582111 \h 16

7. ATTACHMENT 2: PHASE II PITCH SESSION FORMAT PAGEREF _Toc241582112 \h 20

8. ATTACHMENT 3: PHASE III TECHNICAL PROPOSAL & PWS PAGEREF _Toc241582113 \h 22

9. ATTACHMENT 4: PHASED CSO PROCESS OVERVIEW PAGEREF _Toc241582114 \h 24

10. ATTACHMENT 5: EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESS PAGEREF _Toc241582115 \h 25

11. ATTACHMENT 6 – AREA OF INTEREST (AOI) PAGEREF _Toc241582116 \h 28

DEFINITIONS

Area of Interest (AOI): A specific announcement posted under this CSO seeking innovative commercial solutions aligned to mission needs, which may result in the award of a commercial contract. AOIs may be issued at any time during the CSO period of availability. Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO): A competitive, solicitation method used by United States Space Force (USSF), Combat Forces Command and executed by the USSF CFC SAIO to identify innovative technologies that support defense objectives. Closed CSO: Only open for one AOI, closes out/cancels as soon as award is made. Closed Period AOI: This type of AOI allows for solution briefs, company pitches, and/or proposal submission at any time within a specified period set forth in each Closed Period AOI. Once the submission deadline is reached, evaluations will begin and no additional submissions will be accepted. Innovative: Any new technology, process, or business practice—or novel application of an existing one—that enhances military effectiveness and supports U.S. national security. Small Business: A business that meets the size standards and criteria set forth in 13 C.F.R. § 121 and 15 U.S.C. § 632.

GENERAL INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION and BACKGROUND

As the USSF continues to reorganize, it has identified significant inefficiencies in managing four disparate but related Information Technology (IT) support contracts. These contracts are managed by separate organizations, with multiple contracting officers and Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs), creating operational seams, redundant efforts, and barriers to enterprise-wide visibility. Strategic reallocation of the Government's financial and intellectual resources will drive efficiencies in IT infrastructure, which is foundational to building future mission resilience, security, and capacity.