16th Air Force Commercial Solutions Opening
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The 16th Air Force has issued a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), authorized by 10 USC 3458 and DFARS 212.70, to acquire innovative commercial items, technologies, and services. This is an umbrella solicitation seeking solutions that fulfill requirements, close capability gaps, or provide technology advancements for the USAF. "Innovative" refers to new technologies, processes, methods, or new applications of existing ones.
Currently, two specific "Calls" are open for submissions:
- Call 0008: AI-ENABLED ENTERPRISE SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTER (AI-ESOC) – Seeks an integrated, commercially available solution to transform enterprise Security Operations Center (SOC) operations at the 33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron (COS) using AI. Solutions must include Agentic Behavioral Analytics, Autonomous SOC Investigation, and Systems Integration/Sustainment. Proposed capabilities must be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 or higher. Submissions due: April 1, 2026.
- Call 0009: Operational Manning Support (OMS) – Seeks innovative technologies and approaches for Operational Manning Support (OMS) for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations at the 616th Operations Center (OC). Key areas include Program Management, Operations Support, All-Source ISRD/Plans/Strategy, Data Science and Modeling, Targeting Support, and Project Management. Submissions due: April 17, 2026.
Scope of Work
The CSO broadly seeks solutions across various areas of interest, including Electromagnetic Warfare (EW), Information Operations (IO), ISR, Air Force Information Network (AFIN), and Defense Cyberspace Operations (DCO). Specific requirements are detailed in individual Calls.
Contract Details
Awards may be in the form of FAR Part 12 contracts or Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs). Only Firm Fixed Price (FFP) or Fixed Price Incentive (FPI) contracts may be awarded. The government anticipates single awards for integrated solutions under specific Calls. Funding is competitive and contingent upon availability.
Submission & Evaluation
This CSO utilizes a two-step submission process for each Call:
- Step I: Submit a Quad Chart and White Paper by the respective Call's deadline. Submissions are evaluated based on technical merit/applicability, importance to the 16th Air Force mission, and fund availability (all factors of equal importance) through peer or scientific review.
- Step II: Select offerors from Step I will be invited to submit a full proposal, including a Statement of Work (SOW) and detailed pricing.
Eligibility / Set-Aside
No specific set-asides are mentioned. Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Offerors must be considered responsible and have a satisfactory performance record. Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) levels will be specified in each Call. For Call 0008, offerors must possess required personnel and facility security clearances.
Additional Notes
Unsolicited proposals are not accepted. Offerors are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for amendments and future Calls. Proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should not be included in initial responses. The overall CSO remains open with an annual update, with a general response date of September 30, 2026.