AFWERX Challenge Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)
This CSO funds Air Force challenge solutions and prototype concepts for specific AFWERX problem statements, open to eligible contractors responding to individual calls.
⚑ Individual calls are posted under the CSO; eligibility and submission rules depend on each call. · Federal contract/combined synopsis-solicitation format; not a standard grant. · Likely focused on nontraditional defense solutions/prototypes rather than basic research.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 75 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 45 partial | portfolio topics: national_security_defense, energy (primary); social/behavioral work is none; funds applied research; university can only partner, not lead; capped at 45 (limited social-science role) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 45 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
This CSO is for the AFWERX Challenge Program. Individual Calls against the CSO will be posted under this notice, as well as afwerxchallenge.com. 06/22/2023: Updated attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001 002 Expedient Basing Challenge Updated attachment "06.22.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "05.30.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge" in order to update and extend the Spiral 1 submission due date. 06/01/2023: Updated attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001-003 UAS Power Generation Challenge Updated attachment "06.01.2023 UAS Power Generation Challenge" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "05.31.2023 UAS Power Generation Challenge." Website link updated to: https://afwerxchallenge.com/uaspower/uas-power-challenge_265/overview 05/31/2023: FA2280-23-S-C001-003 UAS Power Generation Challenge This Call is issued under the CSO. All details regarding submission and evaluation criterion are provided in the attached document titled "05.31.2023 UAS Power Generation Challenge" http://www.afwerxchallenge.com/uaspower/uas-power-challenge/overview 05/30/2023: Updated attachment provided for FA2280-23-S-C001-002 Expedient Basing Challenge Updated attachment document titled "05.30.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge.pdf" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "05.25.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge.pdf" 05/25/2023: FA2280-23-S-C001-002 Expedient Basing Challenge This Call is issued under the CSO. All details regarding submission and evaluation criterion are provided in the attached document titled "05.25.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge.pdf" https://afwerxchallenge.com/expedientbasing/expedient-basing-challenge/overview 02/27/2023: FA2280-23-S-C001-001 Agile Combat Employment (ACE) Aviation Support Equipment Challenge This Call is issued under the CSO. All details regarding submission and evaluation criterion are provided in the attached document titled "02.27.2023 ACE Common Aviation Support Equipment Challenge.pdf" https://afwerxchallenge.com/operationaleffectiveness/ace-common-aviation-support-challenge
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation. Organization: DEPT OF DEFENSE / DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE / FA2280 AFRL/RGKA.
Apply
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Department of Defense (BAA-style) conventions SEE A DOD EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Department of Defense (BAA-style)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.