Doing business with the DoD just got easier
DFARS Update: Implementing Commercial Solutions Openings
Last week, the Department of Defense issued a “final ruling” changing the Defense Federal Acquisition Rules - Supplement (DFARS) to implement a new acquisition authority.
The DoD can now acquire innovative commercial products and commercial services using general solicitation competitive procedures through a “Commercial Solutions Opening” (CSO).
CSOs are designed to obtain innovative solutions or potential capabilities that fulfill requirements, to close capability gaps, or provide potential innovative technological advancements, and when meaningful proposals with varying technical or scientific approaches can be reasonably anticipated.
These CSOs will remain competitive, and allows competitive selection based on a review by scientific, technological, or other subject matter expert peer-review.
The DoD is defining “innovative” to mean:
any technology, process, or method, including research and development, that is new as of the date of submission of a proposal; or
any application that is new as of the date of submission of a proposal of a technology, process, or method existing as of such date.
This rule is expected to impact the Government and large and small entities by simplifying solicitation, evaluation, and award procedures, which should decrease acquisition cost and, thus, be less burdensome for all parties. The use of a commercial solutions opening in conjunction with a FAR part 12 contract is also expected to benefit offerors and contractors as it will allow these entities to utilize existing commercial contracting procedures and operating systems, which decreases burden on both large and small entities. As a result, large and small entities may be more willing to enter into contracts with DoD. Therefore, DoD expects to benefit by having greater access to technologies not previously accessible.
Keep building!
Andrew