Bid guide
How to bid on Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) with Federal Acquisition Service
What the agency is buying and why it matters
The General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), plans to use Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs) throughout Fiscal Year 2026. These CSOs will be used to acquire innovative commercial products and services for various Department of Defense partners, including Military Departments and Combatant Commands.
The GSA is looking for solutions in areas such as integrated data and AI, autonomous systems, geospatial intelligence, resilient communications, adaptive logistics, advanced munitions technologies, and cyber operations. This approach allows for streamlined acquisition of innovative technologies outside of traditional Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) requirements, aiming to engage both traditional and non-traditional government contractors, including start-up companies.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This notice was published on February 26, 2026. The deadline for this general notice is December 31, 2026, at 12:00 AM ET. This is not a solicitation for proposals at this time. Instead, specific CSO solicitations will be released separately as funding becomes available throughout Fiscal Year 2026.
The December 31, 2026, deadline marks the end of the period during which GSA intends to utilize these CSO procedures for the stated purpose. Vendors should monitor for future, specific solicitations that will be released under this program.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for firms specializing in technology, particularly those with innovative commercial products and services relevant to defense and national security. Companies with expertise in artificial intelligence, data ecosystems, autonomous systems, geospatial intelligence, resilient communication, and cyber operations are encouraged to pay attention to future solicitations.
The CSO pilot program is designed to benefit a wide range of contractors, including start-up companies, by offering a streamlined approach to acquiring innovative solutions. This means firms of various sizes with cutting-edge commercial technologies could find opportunities here.
How to respond
To access the original notice and stay informed, click “View original source” on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view any associated documents, though for many bids, this is not required.
Remember, this is not a request for proposals yet. You should monitor the portal for specific CSO solicitations that will be released as funding becomes available. These future solicitations will provide details on how to submit white papers or proposals.
Practical tips for preparing a competitive response
When specific solicitations are released under this CSO, focus on clearly demonstrating the innovative nature of your commercial product or service. Highlight how your solution addresses the specific mission and operational challenges outlined in the topic areas, such as integrated data and AI, or autonomous systems.
Prepare to provide minimal corporate and technical information, as the CSO process aims for streamlined solicitations. Emphasize the benefits of your solution in terms of efficiency, security, and scalability, especially within hybrid, federated, or regulated cloud environments if applicable. Be ready to articulate how your technology can deliver measurable mission outcomes.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from Federal Acquisition Service; the original posting controls.