Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) : Tactical Oceanography Supporting Full-Spectrum Undersea Warfare

This document addresses frequently asked questions regarding a government solicitation, likely an RFP or grant, for the CSO N66604-26-9-A00X Tactical Oceanography project. Key clarifications include past performance references, where contract numbers are sufficient for CPARS-listed contracts, otherwise detailed information and POCs are required. The government discourages overly precise proposals and multiple submissions from a single offeror, preferring a single brief with multiple solutions. The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) expected is between 3 and 7, with deployments ideally under two years. While no specific budget range is provided for individual proposals, the overall CSO has an $80M ceiling. The Solution Brief has a strict 5-page limit, and teaming arrangements should be clearly identified. The brief must be unclassified but can contain CUI if transmitted appropriately. The due date of April 17, 2026, 2 PM EDT, will not be extended. Solutions involving seafloor deployment in littoral regions for situational awareness are broadly compatible. This is a new requirement with no incumbent contractor.

This document outlines an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement between the U.S. Government, represented by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), and a company for prototype projects. Authorized under 10 U.S.C. § 4022, this agreement is not subject to standard federal procurement regulations (FAR). Key articles cover the scope, statement of work, security requirements (including NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC compliance), agreement term (five years, with provisions for early termination), administration, inspection, shipping, obligation and payment procedures (emphasizing WAWF for invoicing), allowable costs, incremental funding, cost sharing, agreement close-out, and follow-on production. It also addresses legal compliance, intellectual property (data and patent rights), foreign access to technology, and cybersecurity. The document details specific requirements for information safeguarding, cyber incident reporting, and prohibitions regarding certain telecommunications equipment and business operations in Sudan and Iran, underscoring the stringent regulatory and security environment for defense-related projects.

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) is seeking proposals through a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) to enhance undersea warfare capabilities. The CSO, N66604-26-9-A00X, aims to award up to $80,000,000 in prototype projects to traditional and non-traditional defense contractors and non-profit research institutions. This competitive, three-phase process begins with unclassified Solution Briefs, followed by pitches from selected companies, and culminates in prototype project awards via Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs). The focus is on innovative commercial technologies for tactical oceanography, environmental sensors, and information systems to improve existing USW systems and inform next-generation platforms. Proposals must address specific Statement of Work requirements, demonstrate technical merit, and meet eligibility criteria, including significant participation from nontraditional defense contractors or third-party funding. Successful prototypes may lead to follow-on production contracts without further competition.

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) is seeking technical expertise and support for its Tactical Oceanography (TAC-O) prototyping efforts, aiming to enhance undersea warfare (USW) capabilities. This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the need for scientific and engineering deliverables in meteorological and oceanographic sciences, tactical systems analysis, acoustics, signal processing, and information systems design. The initiative focuses on developing new environmental sensors, information systems, and prototypes to improve USW system performance, inform next-generation submarines, and support the hybrid Fleet. Work involves concept development, prototyping, analysis, and evaluation of future systems, with a strong emphasis on integrating oceanographic data into USW operations. The project requires Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance and adherence to strict security protocols, including handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), NATO, ACCM, and Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPI). Deliverables include prototype algorithms, feasibility studies, analysis reports, ruggedized oceanographic sensors, and prototype operator interfaces.

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) seeks technical expertise and support for its Tactical Oceanography (TAC-O) prototyping efforts, aiming to enhance undersea warfare (USW) capabilities. This initiative focuses on developing environmental sensors, information systems, and new tactics to exploit the ocean environment for a decisive warfighting advantage. The scope of work includes scientific and engineering prototype deliverables in METOC sciences, tactical systems analysis, acoustics, signal processing, and information systems design. Key tasks involve concept development, prototyping, and analysis for USW systems, human systems integration, systems engineering, and evaluating future system operations with modeling and simulation. The project requires high-level security clearances (Secret and ACCM) and adherence to numerous military and DoD standards. Deliverables include prototype algorithms, feasibility studies, sensor analysis reports, ruggedized oceanographic sensors, and prototype operator interfaces. The work will be performed at various government and agreement holder facilities, with funding from multiple Navy sponsors.

This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the Naval Undersea Warfare Center's need for scientific and engineering support in Tactical Oceanography (TAC-O) to enhance undersea warfare (USW) capabilities. The project focuses on developing, prototyping, and analyzing advanced environmental sensors, information systems, and operational tactics to exploit the ocean environment for a decisive warfighting advantage. Key areas include oceanography, ocean acoustics, USW system simulation, and human-system integration. The Agreement Holder will deliver scientific and engineering prototypes, conduct feasibility studies, and provide analysis reports. Work involves Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (U-NNPI), requiring adherence to strict security and information protection protocols. The initiative aims to support existing USW systems, inform future submarine designs, and enable a hybrid fleet.