The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) of the Department of Defense is seeking proposals for its Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), aimed at enhancing military capabilities through innovative commercial technologies. This opportunity invites both traditional and nontraditional defense contractors to submit prototype projects that align with national security objectives, focusing on technologies that contribute to the sustainment of global peace and U.S. national security. The CSO process consists of three phases: submission of a solution brief, a pitch session for selected companies, and a full proposal submission for those invited, with successful prototypes potentially transitioning to production without further competition. Interested parties can find more information and updates on Areas of Interest on the DIU website at https://www.diu.mil/work-with-us, and are encouraged to contact DIU at info@diu.mil for inquiries.

DIU+CSO+HQ0845-20-S-C001.pdf

The Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) aims to enhance the Department of Defense's (DoD) capabilities through the adoption of innovative commercial technologies. The CSO facilitates partnerships with both traditional and nontraditional contractors via Other Transaction Agreements (OTA) to conduct prototype projects aligned with national security objectives. 

The CSO process involves three main phases: 
1. **Solution Brief**: Companies submit briefs addressing specific Areas of Interest (AOIs), which will be evaluated based on relevance, uniqueness, and feasibility. 
2. **Pitch Session**: Selected companies present their proposals to demonstrate their technology's viability. 
3. **Full Proposal**: Companies invited to this phase submit detailed proposals including technical and cost elements, which will be assessed for potential award.

Additionally, the document outlines requirements for submissions, evaluation criteria, and the iterative nature of prototype projects that allow for adaptability. Successful prototypes may transition to production without further competition. This CSO underscores DIU's commitment to leveraging commercial innovation for military effectiveness while ensuring streamlined processes for vendors unfamiliar with government solicitations.

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is interested in awarding funding agreements (Agreements) to nontraditional and traditional defense contractors to carry out prototype projects that are directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the Department of Defense (DoD), or to improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the Armed Forces of the United States. As such, DIU hereby announces the release of their  streamlined Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). This CSO is seeking proposals for innovative, commercial technologies that accelerate attainment of asymmetric defense capabilities. In this context, innovative means any new technology, process, or business practice, or any new application of an existing technology, process, or business practice that contributes to the sustainment of global peace and U.S. national security. Agreements will be sought under an open (available for five (5) years), competitive (solution brief/demonstration followed by proposal) CSO. This CSO is considered a competitive process, intended to ensure that competitive procedures are used to the maximum extent practicable when entering into Agreements to carry out these prototype projects. Interested parties with current or new/developmental innovative technological solutions or enhancements are highly encouraged to visit the DIU website to obtain more information regarding the process of presenting their solutions to DIU and the potential for securing said Agreements under this CSO. Topic Areas of Interest (AoI) will be posted on the DIU website and may be updated at any time. Please note that the submission period for solution briefs under the identified AOI's will be open for a limited period of time, so check the DIU website for updates frequently. DIU's website is: diu.mil/workwithus ***THIS CSO DOES NOT SUPERSEDE DIU CSO HQ0845-19-S-C001 PUBLISHED ON APRIL 2, 2019***

Defense Innovation Unit Commercial Solutions Opening (NEW)

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is interested in awarding funding agreements (Agreements) to nontraditional and traditional defense contractors to carry out prototype projects that are directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the Department of Defense (DoD), or to improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the Armed Forces of the United States. As such, DIU hereby announces the release of their  streamlined Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). This CSO is seeking proposals for innovative, commercial technologies that accelerate attainment of asymmetric defense capabilities. In this context, innovative means any new technology, process, or business practice, or any new application of an existing technology, process, or business practice that contributes to the sustainment of global peace and U.S. national security. Agreements will be sought under an open (available for five (5) years), competitive (solution brief/demonstration followed by proposal) CSO. This CSO is considered a competitive process, intended to ensure that competitive procedures are used to the maximum extent practicable when entering into Agreements to carry out these prototype projects. Interested parties with current or new/developmental innovative technological solutions or enhancements are highly encouraged to visit the DIU website to obtain more information regarding the process of presenting their solutions to DIU and the potential for securing said Agreements under this CSO. Topic Areas of Interest (AoI) will be posted on the DIU website and may be updated at any time. Please note that the submission period for solution briefs under the identified AOI's will be open for a limited period of time, so check the DIU website for updates frequently. DIU's website is: https://www.diu.mil/work-with-us

Defense Innovation Unit Commercial Solutions Opening

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is interested in awarding funding agreements (Agreements) to nontraditional and traditional defense contractors to carry out prototype projects that are directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the Department of Defense (DoD), or to improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the Armed Forces of the United States.

As such, DIU hereby announces the release of their  streamlined Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). This CSO is seeking proposals for innovative, commercial technologies that accelerate attainment of asymmetric defense capabilities. In this context, innovative means any new technology, process, or business practice, or any new application of an existing technology, process, or business practice that contributes to the sustainment of global peace and U.S. national security. Agreements will be sought under an open (available for five (5) years), competitive (solution brief/demonstration followed by proposal) CSO. This CSO is considered a competitive process, intended to ensure that competitive procedures are used to the maximum extent practicable when entering into Agreements to carry out these prototype projects.

Interested parties with current or new/developmental innovative technological solutions or enhancements are highly encouraged to visit the DIU website to obtain more information regarding the process of presenting their solutions to DIU and the potential for securing said Agreements under this CSO. Topic Areas of Interest (AoI) will be posted on the DIU website and may be updated at any time. Please note that the submission period for solution briefs under the identified AOI's will be open for a limited period of time, so check the DIU website for updates frequently. DIU's website is: https://www.diu.mil/work-with-us

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