Self-Propelled Howitzer Systems (SPHS) Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

06 June 2026: Posted AoI 002 Amendment 01 with updated requirements for the Paladin System Training Tool effort. All changes are identified in red text. Responses are due by 1600 (ET) on 30 June 2026.

12 February 2026: Updated AoI 001 to add a Nondisclosure Agreement Attachment, instructions to access TDP, and to extend the response date to 16 March 2026 (AMD3).

07 January 2026: Add AoI A002 with a response date of 14 January 2026, see AoI 002 attachment for details.

26 November 2025: Updated Secondary Point of Contact.

24 September 2025: Updated AoI 001 to extend the response date to 22 October 2025 (AMD2).

29 August 2025: Updated AoI 001 to extend the response date to 24 September 2025 (AMD1).

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The 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review 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 U.S.C. 3458, Contracting 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 may competitively select proposals received in response to a general solicitation, similar to a broad agency announcement, based on a review of proposals by scientific, technological, or other subject-matter expert peers. Use of a CSO in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement Subpart 212.70 is considered to be a competitive procedure for the purposes of 10 U.S.C. 221 and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.102. Finally, Contracting Officers shall treat items, technologies, and services acquired using a CSO as commercial products and commercial services. Contracts or agreements under this authority shall be fixed-price, including fixed-price incentive fee contracts.

Self-Propelled Howitzer Systems (SPHS), located in Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the project management office responsible for developing, producing, and sustaining the field artillery SPHS to ensure the King of Battle remains dominant on the battlefield. 

The mission of units equipped with the M109A7/M992A3 system is to destroy, neutralize, or suppress the enemy by indirect fire.  The M109A7 howitzer and M992A3 ammunition carrier will enable the Army Armored Brigade Combat Teams and Fire Brigades to accomplish their relevant tasks in support of command and control, force application battle space awareness, protection and net-centric environment Joint Fighting Capabilities.  The M109A7/M992A3 program is designed to provide the following operational outcomes:  maintain battlefield mobility, enhance supportability and sustainability; and improve force protection and vehicle survivability.

See Attachment for Additional Details