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Defense Innovation Unit Commercial Solutions Opening

ID: HQ0845-20-S-C001 • Type: Special Notice

Description

Posted: March 26, 2025, 6:55 p.m. EDT

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

Posted: Feb. 4, 2025, 3:44 p.m. EST
Posted: Oct. 2, 2023, 5:59 p.m. EDT
Posted: March 23, 2020, 7:23 p.m. EDT
Posted: Jan. 13, 2020, 2:25 p.m. EST
Background
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is seeking to award funding agreements to both nontraditional and traditional defense contractors for prototype projects aimed at enhancing the mission effectiveness of military personnel and the platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed for acquisition or development by the Department of Defense (DoD).

The goal is to improve existing capabilities used by the Armed Forces of the United States. This initiative is part of DIU's streamlined Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), which focuses on innovative commercial technologies that can accelerate asymmetric defense capabilities and contribute to global peace and U.S. national security.

Work Details
The CSO invites proposals for innovative technologies that may include commercially available solutions, concept demonstrations, pilots, and agile development activities.

The solicitation emphasizes a competitive process with three phases:
1) Solution Briefs in response to Areas of Interest (AOIs),
2) Pitch Sessions for selected briefs, and
3) full written proposals for those selected from the pitch phase. AOIs will be published on the DIU website and can be updated at any time. The CSO aims to maximize creativity in problem-solving approaches and participation from commercial vendors unfamiliar with government solicitations.

Period of Performance
The CSO is open for five years, allowing continuous submission of solution briefs as new AOIs are posted.

Place of Performance
The geographic location for performance is not explicitly stated but is implied to be within the United States as it pertains to enhancing military effectiveness.

Overview

Response Deadline
None
Posted
Jan. 13, 2020, 2:25 p.m. EST (updated: March 26, 2025, 6:55 p.m. EDT)
Set Aside
None
Place of Performance
Not Provided
Source
SAM
On 1/13/20 Office of the Secretary of Defense issued Special Notice HQ0845-20-S-C001 for Defense Innovation Unit Commercial Solutions Opening.
Primary Contact
Name
DIU contact email   Profile
Email
Phone
None

Documents

Posted documents for Special Notice HQ0845-20-S-C001

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Additional Details

Source Agency Hierarchy
DEPT OF DEFENSE > IMMEDIATE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE > DEFENSE INNOVATION UNIT
FPDS Organization Code
97AD-HQ0833
Source Organization Code
500017541
Last Updated
March 26, 2025
Last Updated By
charles.park1.civ@mail.mil
Archive Date
Jan. 12, 2027