Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)
This CSO funds innovative commercial technologies, prototypes, pilots, and agile development activities for defense applications through topic-specific AOIs published by WHS.
⚑ AOIs are posted separately on SAM.gov/GPE; eligibility and evaluation depend on the specific AOI. · CSO is open for five years and may be amended. · Notice does not state a set-aside or a specific applicant class. · Funding is for defense-oriented commercial solutions and prototype/development activities, not basic research.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 60 good | funds commercialization; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
| IPPRA | 46 partial | portfolio topic: national_security_defense (primary); social/behavioral work is minor; funds commercialization — not a research fit; eligibility unclear — verify in the NOFO |
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 45 partial | technical depth: central; funds commercialization (capped) |
Description
The Washington Headquarters Services, Acquisition Directorate (WHS/AD) is an essential mission partner and trusted advisor, providing innovative and agile contracting solutions throughout the acquisition life cycle as the Single Enterprise Contracting Office (SECO) to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), offices thereunder, and other Department of Defense (DoD) mission partners. WHS/AD Emerging Capabilities and Defense Prototyping Division (ECDP) awards and manages research and development project awards authorized by 10 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section (§) 3458 and 10 U.S.C. § 4001. This Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) seeks innovative, commercial approaches to accelerate the attainment of defense capabilities through issuing awards under the authorities in 10 U.S.C. § 3458 and/or 10 U.S.C. § 4022. This includes, but is not limited to, commercially available technologies fueled by commercial or strategic investment, innovative commercial products and services, concept demonstrations, pilots, and agile development activities that can improve commercial technologies and existing Government-owned capabilities, and other concepts for defense application. 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. Amendment 001: Updated the Description as well as the CSO document attached to this notice. Amendment 002: Updated the Contracting Point of Contact (POC). Amendment 003: Updated the CSO document attached to this notice.
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.