AFWERX Challenge Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)
This Air Force AFWERX Challenge CSO funds solutions submitted under individual challenge calls, typically for prototype or design work in areas such as expeditionary basing, air-to-air refueling design, UAS power generation, and mixed-reality systems, for eligible nonfederal applicants allowed by each call.
⚑ Federal contract/CSO, not a grant; eligibility depends on each individual challenge call. · University direct eligibility not indicated in the notice; treated as ineligible here because this is an AFWERX challenge contracting vehicle. · Multiple challenge attachments/calls are posted under the umbrella CSO; applicants must check the specific call terms. · Deadlines and requirements may vary by individual challenge and updated attachment.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 30 weak | prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
| IPPRA | 15 none | university cannot apply directly (ineligible) |
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 15 none | university cannot apply directly (ineligible) |
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. 08/05/2025: Updated Attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001 005 A2RM Design Challenge Updated Attachment "08.05.2025 A2RM Design Challenge" supersedes previously posted attachment titled “01.24.2024 A2RM Design Challenge Update”. A summary of changes is included in the BLUF. 08/05/2025: Updated attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001-003 UAS Power Generation Challenge Updated attachment "07.29.2025 UAS Power Generation Challenge" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "07.19.2023 UAS Power Generation Challenge". A summary of changes is included in the BLUF. 08/05/2025: Updated attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001-004 Expedient Basing Part 2 Challenge" Updated attachment "07.29.2025 Expedient Basing Challenge Part 2” supersedes previously posted attachment titled "07.11.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge Part 2". A summary of changes is included in the BLUF. 8/05/2025: Updated Attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001 006 Super Goggles Challenge Updated Attachment "07.29.2025 Super Goggles Challenge" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "05.01.2024 Super Goggles Challenge ". A summary of changes is included in the BLUF. 08/05/2025: Updated Attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001 002 Expedient Basing Challenge Updated attachment "07.29.2025 Expedient Basing Challenge" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "01.15.2025 Expedient Basing Challenge." A summary of changes is included in the BLUF. 01/15/2025: Updated Attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001 002 Expedient Basing Challenge Updated attachment "01.15.2025 Expedient Basing Challenge" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "07.20.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge." Updates in document contained in Government Contracting Terms and Conditions. 05/01/2024: Updated Attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001 006 Super Goggles Challenge Updated Attachment "05.01.2024 Super Goggles Challenge" supersedes previously posted attachment. This document updates the non-Government personnel and removes Spiral 1 Networking Opportunities. 03/12/2024: FA2280-23-S-C001-006 Super Goggles Challenge This Call is issued under the CSO. All details regarding submission and evaluation criterion are provided in the attached document titled "03.15.2024 Super Goggles Challenge" https://afwerxchallenge.com/emergingtechnology/mixed-reality-xr-super-goggle-challenge/overview 01/24/2024: Updated Attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001 005 A2RM Design Challenge Updated Attachment "01.24.2024 A2RM Design Challenge Update" supersedes previously posted attachment. Updates to the non-Government personnel provided in this update. 11/29/2023: Updated Attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001 005 A2RM Design Challenge Updated attachment "11.29.2023 A2RM Design Challenge Update 3" supersedes previously posted attachment titled “11-20-2023 A2RM Design Challenge Update.” Please note the due date is extended to 01.04.2023. 11/21/2023: Updated Attachments for FA2280-23-S-C001 005 A2RM Design Challenge Updated attachment “11-20-2023 A2RM Design Challenge Update2” supersedes previously posted attachments titled "11.06.2023 A2RM Design Challenge Update" and "10.23.2023 A2RM Design Challenge." 11/06/2023: Updated Attachments for FA2280-23-S-C001 005 A2RM Design Challenge Updated attachment "11.06.2023 A2RM Design Challenge Update" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "10.23.2023 A2RM Design Challenge." 10/23/2023: FA2280-23-S-C001-005 Air to Air Refueling Mechanism (A2RM) Digital Design Challenge This Call is issued under the CSO. All details regarding submission and evaluation criterion are provided in the attached document titled "10.23.2023 A2RM Design Challenge" https://afwerxchallenge.com/air-to-airrefueling/air-to-air-refueling-mechanism-a2rm-digital-design-challenge/overview 07/20/2023: Updated Attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001 002 Expedient Basing Challenge Updated attachment "07.20.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "06.22.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge." Updates in document contained in Government Contracting Terms and Conditions. 07/19/2023: Updated Attachments for FA2280-23-S-C001 CSO and FA2280-23-S-C001 003 UAS Power Generation Challenge Updated attachment "AFWERX Challenges CSO FINAL 07.19.2023" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "AFWERX Challenges CSO FINAL 02.24.2023." Updates in document contained in Sections 5.5.5.1 and 5.8. Updated attachment "07.19.2023 UAS Power Generation Challenge" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "06.01.2023 UAS Power Generation Challenge." Updates in document contained in Government Contracting Terms and Conditions. 07/11/2023: FA2280-23-S-C001-004 Expedient Basing Part 2 Challenge This Call is issued under the CSO. All details regarding submission and evaluation criterion are provided in the attached document titled "07.11.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge Part 2" https://afwerxchallenge.com/expedientbasing/expedient-basing-challenge-focus-areas-4-5/overview 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.