Pilot authority for sourcing innovative commercial solutions. Can use both FAR and Non-FAR authorities.
The Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) is an 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 DHS and GSA to implement a pilot program to competitively procure innovative commercial items, technologies, and services using CSO procedures. This authority can be implemented as FAR or non-FAR based, the authority is silent on the direction.
- High barriers of entry and low incentives (in part due to onerous FAR terms and conditions) restrict non-traditional contractors from providing innovative solutions to the government
- Streamlined acquisition process
- Simplified contract terms
- Attracts start-up companies and others who have not previously worked with U.S. Government
- Can be used as either FAR or non-FAR based
- SMALL BUSINESS BENEFIT: Lowers the barrier for entry for non-traditional companies to do work with the U.S. Government by targeting innovative commercial products while not requiring the commercial FAR clauses
Small Business
FAR and Non FAR
