Air Force seeks tech accelerator through GSA FEDSIM CSO

By Loren Blinde August 22, 2018

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On August 21, the General Services Administration posted a program announcement for Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). The U.S. Air Force is seeking a technology accelerator services. Submissions are due by 11:00 a.m. Eastern on August 28.

The General Services Administration (GSA) Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) is a non- Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) based solicitation authority for acquiring innovative and commercial solutions. Section 880 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017 (Pub. L. 114-328) authorized GSA to implement a pilot program to competitively procure innovative commercial items, technologies, and services using CSO procedures. CSO is new acquisition mechanism that provides a streamlined acquisition process and simplified contract terms that is designed to attract start-up companies and others who have not previously worked with U.S. Government.

The GSA FEDSIM innovation team is utilizing the CSO and seeking proposals for innovative, commercial items, technologies and services currently in the production/commercialization phase as well as adaptations of existing commercial products. GSA FEDSIM will post solicitations for a specific project or technical area of interest when an opportunity is open.

Technology Accelerator 47QFCA18R0010

Technology is evolving at a rapid pace, d that growth is being driven by private industry. Major technology trends that affect our national security will continue to emerge from private industry innovators, and the Department of Defense (DoD) competitive advantage will be the ability to quickly identify, validate, acquire, and integrate those technologies. This project will focus on this integration through commercially available accelerator services.

The objective of the project is to procure a technology accelerator service that will establish an innovative cohort of commercially viable, operationally useful, and technically feasible companies that have advanced their disruptive technology and corporate viability, and have validated or invalidated their technology against United States Air Force (USAF) needs.

The USAF is seeking innovative commercial technology accelerator services that will enhance their ability to acquire innovative commercial technologies that meet warfighter needs. It is anticipated that the successful offeror will, as part of the accelerator program:

Scout and recruit emerging dual-use technology companies (including startups globally) that don’t typically affiliate with the government with an emphasis on the following technology areas: Immersive Training & Methods; Data-Enabled Recruiting, Training & Education Systems; Autonomous Systems; Artificial Intelligence; Advanced Space Technologies (though other dual-use technologies will be considered). Future years’ programs may have different technology areas of interest.

Admit companies that are commercially viable and have a high likelihood of success (even without government funding).

Rapidly validate or invalidate the usefulness of those technologies against USAF needs.

Leverage private investment to decrease Research and Development costs for the USAF.

Advance their existing working relationship with the startup ecosystem to increase understanding of, and engagement with, the USAF.

Be able to run two programs per year, in two different locations ((1) Boston, MA; 2)6 Los Angeles, CA.)), and potentially at the same time (preferred, though not required).

Be able to initiate both programs within six months of award.

Be able to successfully conclude both programs within 13 months of award.