The 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) established innovation as a central line of effort in the national defense strategy of the United States. The decisive military advantage of the United States over its adversaries and peer competitors is steadily eroding. Consequently, under 10 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 3458 as implemented by Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Subpart 212.70, Contracting/Agreements Officers may acquire innovative commercial items, technologies, or services using a competitive procedure called a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). Under a CSO, the Department of Defense (DoD) may competitively select proposals received in response to a general solicitation, similar to a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), based on a review of proposals by scientific, technological, or other subject-matter expert peers. Use of a CSO in accordance with DFARS Subpart 212.70 is considered to be a competitive procedure for the purposes of 10 U.S.C. Chapter 221 and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.102. Finally, Contracting/Agreements Officers shall treat items, technologies, and services acquired using a CSO as commercial products and/or services. Contracts or agreements under this authority shall be fixed-price, including fixed-price incentive fee. The CSO is a competitive, streamlined process to obtain rapid access to solutions or new capabilities that fulfill requirements, close capability gaps, and/or provide potential technological advances. The Strategic Services Branch within the Acquisition Services Division at the Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal (ACC-DTA) looks to leverage the CSO process to efficiently support a diverse range of Requirement Activities, including organizations at the Detroit Arsenal (DTA) and Selfridge Air National Guard Base (SANGB), such as the Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC), Program Executive Office Ground Combat System (PEO GCS), PEO Combat Support & Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS), Integrated Logistics Support Center (ILSC), and the U.S. Army Garrison – Detroit Arsenal (USAG-DTA), as well as organizations located in the National Capital Region (NCR), including the Center of Military History (CMH), Center for Army Analysis (CAA), Army Museum Enterprise (AME), and National Museum of the U.S. Army (NMUSA). Through four specialized teams – Services Team A, Services Team B, Base Operations & Construction Team, and TACOM Service Solutions Team – the Strategic Services Branch delivers comprehensive solutions spanning information technology (IT) hardware, software, and services; museum exhibit design, fabrication, and installation services; artifact restoration and conservation services; modeling and simulation services; transcription services; custodial services; grounds and facilities services; and other support services. By streamlining acquisition and fostering collaboration with industry through this CSO, the Strategic Services Branch can procure timely, cost-effective, and innovative commercial solutions that support the mission of the many Requirement Activities we support. This agile approach is vital for adapting to evolving technological landscapes and challenges as they arise and fulfilling unique requirements across the Army; thereby, accelerating the delivery of impactful solutions, fostering a more dynamic relationship with the commercial sector, and improving operational effectiveness through the power of innovation. This CSO will utilize a solicitation process authorized by DFARS Subpart 212.70. Under this CSO, the DoD will be allowed to competitively procure innovative commercial items, technologies, and services. CSO procedures provide a streamlined acquisition process and simplified contract/agreement terms resulting in agreements or FAR-based contracts awarded under Part 12 Commercial Item Procedures. Both traditional and non-traditional defense contractors may be awarded contracts/agreements under this CSO. Under a CSO, DoD Contracting/Agreements Officers may competitively select proposals received in response to a general competitive solicitation, similar to a BAA, based on a review of proposals by scientific, technological, or other subject matter experts. See attachment for additional details.
