SAF/CDM 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 Department of the Air Force (SAF/CDM) has issued a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), FA7146-21-S-C001, seeking innovative commercial items, technologies, and services for defense-related activities. This is a two-step process, starting with White Paper submissions, which may lead to an invitation for a full proposal. A specific call, Call A002: AF/A1 Agile Refactoring and Integration (AR&I), focuses on modernizing the Air Force's Human Resources (HR) enterprise. The overall CSO accepts White Papers until September 1, 2026, while Call A002 has a "closed" White Paper submission deadline of April 25, 2026.
Purpose & Scope
This CSO, initiated under the Defense Commercial Solutions Offering Pilot Program, aims to competitively select solutions that fulfill SAF/CDM requirements, close capability gaps, and offer technological advancements. Call A002 specifically targets the modernization of AF/A1's fragmented HR application portfolio, which includes over 118 disparate applications and 84 legacy systems. The goal is to transition to an agile, secure, and innovative model leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI and cloud solutions to improve readiness and efficiency.
Key Requirements (Call A002)
Call A002 seeks innovative approaches and methodologies in the following areas:
- Application Refactoring & Modernization: Re-architecting legacy systems into modern, secure SaaS portfolios.
- DevSecOps: Utilizing CI/CD pipelines for rapid, secure software delivery.
- Human-Centered Design (HCD) & Discovery: Employing user-centric methods for requirements definition.
- Enterprise Integration & API Development: Building reusable APIs for system connectivity.
- Data Migration & Validation: Securely migrating data to modern cloud environments. Responses can address single or multiple focus areas.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) with a two-step process (White Paper, then invited Proposal).
- Overall White Paper Open Period: Until September 1, 2026.
- Call A002 Closed White Paper Due: April 25, 2026, at 4:00 PM Washington, DC Local Time.
- Overall Ordering Period: Until September 30, 2026.
- Set-Aside: Full and Open Acquisition.
- Award Type: Multiple awards are anticipated under Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) or Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) authority.
Eligibility & Evaluation
- Eligibility: This is a full and open acquisition, welcoming all interested vendors, including small businesses and non-traditional contractors. Foreign participation is allowed.
- Security: Solutions must comply with DoW Impact Level (IL) 5+ requirements, with demonstrated capability for IL6 controls. DD Form 254 DoD Security Classification Specification guidance applies.
- Evaluation: White Papers are reviewed, and selected contractors will be invited to submit full proposals. Funding will be provided for white papers deemed most advantageous.
Points of Contact
- Procuring Contracting Officer: Kevin Adams (kevin.adams.20@us.af.mil, 301-203-4766)
- Program Manager: Ms. Catherine Anderson (catherine.anderson.5@us.af.mil)