Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) - Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

The purpose of the Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) is to solicit innovative, commercial technologies for the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative by the U.S. Army. This program aims to revolutionize digital mission command through a data-centric framework that integrates various warfighting systems, allowing commanders to make better decisions efficiently. The CSO emphasizes an agile approach, encouraging continuous integration and technological evolution. The process includes submission of White Papers (WPs) in response to Requests for White Papers (RWPs), evaluated based on merit. Selected vendors will be invited to submit Prototype Proposals, which may lead to the award of Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) for prototype projects relevant to defense needs. These processes and awards adhere to federal procurement integrity standards, ensuring fairness and accountability. The CSO will remain open for two years, facilitating iterative prototyping that allows modification of projects to meet specific mission requirements. Successful completion of a prototype may lead to a transition into production, further emphasizing the government’s commitment to integrating innovative solutions into military capabilities. Overall, the initiative seeks effective cooperation between commercial vendors and the government to enhance defense operations.

The Request for White Papers (RWP) by the U.S. Army's Program Manager for Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) seeks rapid development of a scalable prototype architecture. Issued on May 16, 2025, proposals are due by June 2, 2025. The government plans to award up to three Prototype Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) under specific congressional authority. Proposals can encompass full or partial solutions to the Statement of Objectives (SOO). Vendors must register in the System for Award Management (SAM) and fulfill various compliance requirements. The submission process consists of three steps: White Paper (WP) evaluation, followed by an invitation to submit a Prototype Proposal (RPP), and possible contract awards. The evaluation emphasizes technical merit, innovative solutions, and alignment with the SOO. Vendors are also required to provide data rights assertions ensuring the government has unlimited rights to the solution architecture, enabling competitive reprocurement and sustainment. The OTA project aims to integrate advanced technologies, emphasizing agility, collaborative engagement, and comprehensive vendor-government interaction. This initiative supports the Army's modernization efforts, promoting efficient and effective command and control solutions.

The Affirmation of Business Status Certification (ABSC) is a required document for entities participating in federal projects, particularly within the Department of Defense (DoD) solicitation processes. Each significant participant must complete a table containing essential information such as the legal entity name, NAICS code, industry size standard, DUNS number, CAGE code, tax identification, and confirmation of active SAM registration. Entities must classify themselves as one of three types: Nontraditional Defense Contractor (NDC), Nonprofit Research Institution, or Traditional Defense Contractor, based on their contract history with the DoD. The certification must be signed by an authorized representative, confirming the accuracy of the information provided. The document underscores the importance of clarifying the entity's business status, which is crucial for compliance in receiving federal grants and fulfilling RFP requirements. This ensures that the entities participating have transparent backgrounds, which aids in the management and oversight of federal funds and contracts. Overall, the ABSC facilitates clear identification of participant qualifications and aligns with federal procurement regulations.

This Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), solicitation W15P7T-25-S-0001, issued by the U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground on behalf of CPE C2IN, seeks commercial technologies to support the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative. The Army aims to replace fragmented warfighting systems with a unified, multi-vendor technology stack featuring a common data layer, software control plane, and robust edge-to-cloud compute infrastructure. Open for two years, this CSO establishes a competitive process to solicit White Papers via Requests for White Papers (RWPs). Selected vendors will be invited to submit Prototype Proposals, which may lead to the award of Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) or FAR Part 12 commercial contracts. The CSO permits iterative prototyping to adapt technologies for diverse mission sets. Upon successful completion of a prototype, projects can transition directly into follow-on production contracts or agreements. Eligible participants include traditional and nontraditional defense contractors, small businesses, and nonprofit institutions. Intermediaries, such as resellers or integrators, must explicitly demonstrate quantifiable added value. The CSO outlines strict guidelines regarding intellectual property, organizational conflicts of interest (OCI), and compliance with the Procurement Integrity Act. Complete registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) is required for awardees.

The Affirmation of Business Status Certification (ABSC) is a standard federal certification document required for significant participating entities involved in DoD prototype projects. The form collects essential organizational details, including the legal entity name, proposed NAICS code, industry size standard, DUNS number, CAGE code, Tax Identification Number, SAM registration status, address, and point of contact information. Additionally, the document requires entities to certify their business classification under one of three categories: a Nontraditional Defense Contractor (NDC)—defined as an entity without recent DoD contracts subject to Cost Accounting Standards; a Nonprofit Research Institution; or a Traditional Defense Contractor. The form must be signed and dated by an authorized representative to certify that the provided representations are accurate and legally binding.

This Request for White Papers (RWP), issued by the Program Manager Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) under the U.S. Army Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, and Network (PEO C3N), seeks rapid prototype architectures for command and control systems. The Government intends to award up to three prototype Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) under 10 U.S.C. § 4022, which may transition to follow-on production. The procurement follows a three-step process: White Paper submission, full Prototype Proposal invitation (including oral presentations), and OTA award. The prototype effort consists of three sequential or non-sequential phases: Initiation (up to 3 months), Application Integration (up to 9 months), and Network Integration (up to 16 months). White Papers must be submitted via the Joint Communications Marketplace (JCM) by 11:00 AM ET on June 2, 2025. Submissions require a current Joint Certification Program (JCP) number and must include four volumes: Technical, Affirmation of Business Status, Estimated Price/Schedule, and Data Rights Assertions. The Technical Volume must detail a container-native, agile development approach aligned with a modular open systems approach (MOSA) and a data-centric architecture. The Government is prioritizing unlimited rights to the emergent reference architecture to ensure future competitive reprocurement. Proposals will be evaluated based on technical merit, innovation, feasibility, price reasonableness, and statutory compliance, including non-traditional defense contractor participation or cost-sharing requirements.

This Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), solicitation W15P7T-25-S-0001, is issued by the U.S. Army Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, and Network (PEO C3N) to develop the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) system. NGC2 represents a clean-sheet, data-centric transformation designed to modernize digital mission command by replacing fragmented vertical systems with integrated data, transport, and infrastructure layers. Operating under 10 U.S.C. § 4022, the Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) will utilize this CSO to award multiple Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) for innovative commercial prototype projects. The CSO will remain open for two years, during which Requests for White Papers (RWPs) will be released. The selection process is structured in three steps: 1. **White Paper (WP) Submission:** Vendors submit concept papers evaluated on technical merit. 2. **Prototype Proposal:** Selected vendors are invited to submit formal proposals via a Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP). 3. **Prototype OTA Award:** Successful proposals are awarded OTAs. The CSO allows for iterative prototyping to adapt technologies for additional mission sets. Upon successful completion—defined by meeting technical goals, satisfying metrics, or achieving favorable results—projects may transition directly into follow-on production contracts or transactions under 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f). Participating vendors must register in the System for Award Management (SAM) and Wide Area Workflow, manage potential Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCIs), and coordinate collaborative information sharing through Associate Vendor Agreements (AVAs) where necessary.

The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), on behalf of PM C2 Applications, has issued a Call for Solutions (CFS), solicitation W9128Z-26-R-A004, under Commercial Solutions Opening W15P7T-25-S-0001. The initiative, Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2), seeks scalable, commercially available software applications to transition from prototyping to operational product delivery. Utilizing a unified technology stack and a converged common data layer, NGC2 aims to eliminate siloed data, ensuring compatibility with open APIs, containerization, and diverse compute environments from cloud to tactical edge. The CFS outlines a two-phase procurement process. Phase I, Step 1 requires the submission of five-page white papers (WPs) and a completed questionnaire by August 6, 2026. Submissions will be evaluated based on Technical Merit, Scalability, and Affordability (via a Rough Order of Magnitude price). If requested, Phase I, Step 2 involves a solution demonstration to validate technical capabilities. Favorable respondents will achieve "awardable" status. In Phase II, selected awardable offerors may be invited to submit full proposals for a potential FAR Part 12 commercial contract. Awardable status streamlines future acquisitions by bypassing repeated technical evaluations. The Government reserves the right to regularly evaluate emerging applications, request biannual ROM updates, and remove inactive awardable applications after three years without a contract. Additionally, the Government may utilize artificial intelligence tools to assist in reviewing submissions.