Washington Headquarters Services Commercial Solutions Opening
WHS seeks prototype agreements and commercial solutions that improve DoD mission effectiveness, platforms, systems, components, or materials, for eligible contractors and nonprofit research institutions.
⚑ Commercial Solutions Opening; prototype agreements under 10 U.S.C. § 4022 or § 3458. · Open to nontraditional and traditional defense contractors and nonprofit research institutions. · Solicits AOIs separately on SAM.gov; monitor GPE for AOIs and amendments. · Intended for commercial technologies, concept demonstrations, pilots, and agile development activities.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 60 good | funds commercialization; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 60 good | technical depth: central; funds commercialization (capped) |
| IPPRA | 53 partial | portfolio topic: national_security_defense (primary); social/behavioral work is minor; funds commercialization — not a research fit |
Description
The Washington Headquarters Services, Acquisition Directorate (WHS/AD) is interested in awarding Agreements with nontraditional and traditional defense contractors and non-profit research institutions to carry out prototype projects that are directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of personnel of the DoD or improving platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the DoD, or to improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the armed forces; as well as to acquire innovative commercial products and services. This Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) seeks innovative, commercial approaches to accelerate the attainment of defense capabilities. This CSO anticipates awarding prototype agreements under the authority in 10 U.S.C. § 4022 or 10 U.S.C. § 3458. This includes commercially available technologies fueled by commercial or strategic investment, concept demonstrations, pilots, and agile development activities that can incrementally improve commercial technologies, existing Government-owned capabilities, concepts for defense application, or innovative commercial products or services. The information provided in this CSO is intended to ensure that to the maximum extent practicable, competitive procedures are used when entering into agreements to carry out these prototype projects. The CSO solicits solutions via topic Areas of Interest (AOIs), published separately on the Government Point of Entry (GPE) https://sam.gov. Additional mediums may also be utilized to maximize exposure of this CSO and its AOI opportunities to non-traditional defense contractors. The Government may issue amendments to this CSO and any AOI. Companies are responsible for monitoring the GPE for AOI and amendment postings. This CSO is open for five (5) years.
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Special Notice. Organization: DEPT OF DEFENSE / WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES (WHS) / WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES.
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.