Executive Summary
The AFCENT Battle Lab at Shaw AFB runs a continuously open Commercial Solutions Opening for counter-UAS and defensive capabilities. Solution briefs are evaluated on a rolling basis until the SAM.gov inactive date of December 30, 2026. Awards are commercial (Part 12) contracts.
The deciding factor is completeness. The Air Force strongly prefers end-to-end, integrated systems from a single lead integrator over isolated components, and highly encourages teaming, joint ventures and prime/subcontractor arrangements.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Agency: Department of the Air Force, Air Combat Command, 20th Contracting Squadron (FA4803), Shaw AFB, SC, for the AFCENT Battle Lab
- Opportunity: AFCENT Battle Lab Commercial Solutions Opening
- Authority / Award Vehicle: CSO under 10 U.S.C. 3458; awards are RFO Part 12 commercial contracts
- Funding: No amount stated; awards are subject to availability of funds
- Technology Maturity: Commercial off-the-shelf items and new applications of existing technology
- Last updated: October 20, 2026
- Due date: Rolling; SAM.gov inactive date December 30, 2026
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO while the CSO is open.
What Is the AFCENT Battle Lab CSO?
A general solicitation under which the Air Force can competitively award contracts for innovative commercial items, technologies and services. It mainly serves the Shaw AFB Battle Lab and AFCENT. Other Air Force or DoW needs must be validated and routed through AFCENT, and the 20th Contracting Squadron keeps sole award authority.
What Problem Is AFCENT Trying to Solve?
Rapidly evolving aerial and multi-domain threats, especially drones and coordinated drone swarms. The goal is to field adaptable, integrated and resilient defensive capabilities quickly, on open architectures that keep competition going.
Priority Capability Areas: What AFCENT Is Looking For
- Rapid COTS counter-UAS: deployable defensive capability, from immediate point defense up.
- Data fusion: advanced intelligence and multi-source data in one operational picture.
- Swarm defeat: kinetic and non-kinetic solutions against coordinated UAS swarms.
- Agile software: rapid prototyping and fast iteration.
- Open architectures: MOSA for sensor integration and open standards for continuous competition.
Eligibility and Participation
- Who can propose: commercial vendors; teaming, joint ventures and prime/subcontractor arrangements are strongly encouraged.
- Security: performers may need to show they can work in classified environments up to Secret before award.
- Codes: the PSC and NAICS on SAM.gov are placeholders; final codes are set at award.
How to Apply
- Read the SAM.gov notice and its attachments.
- Submit a solution brief under the CSO process; briefs are accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis.
- Ask questions of Hutton Cobb (hutton.cobb@us.af.mil) or 1st Lt Hannah Baratz (hannah.baratz@us.af.mil).
What Happens After You Submit?
- Rolling evaluation: solution briefs are reviewed as they arrive.
- Awards: only subject to availability of funds and successful negotiation; the Government is not obligated to award.
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
It fits a company with a commercial counter-drone sensor, effector, or fusion and command software that can be fielded quickly, ideally as part of a complete system with partners. A single component with no integration partner is a weaker fit.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For Commercial Solutions Openings like the AFCENT Battle Lab CSO, we help you:
- Map your product: line it up with the counter-UAS areas.
- Build the team: find and structure integration partners.
- Write the brief: a tight, evaluator-ready solution brief.
- Prepare the pitch: get ready for the next proposal steps.
- Plan for security: classified-work requirements.
Plan Your AFCENT CSO Submission
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a deadline?
It is continuously open. Briefs are evaluated on a rolling basis until the December 30, 2026 inactive date on SAM.gov.
How much funding is available?
The notice does not state an amount.
What kind of contract results?
RFO Part 12 commercial contracts.
What technologies does it want?
Counter-UAS and defensive capabilities: COTS counter-UAS, data fusion, swarm defeat, agile software and open architectures.
Can a component maker apply alone?
Yes, but integrated end-to-end solutions from a lead integrator are strongly preferred.
Is a clearance required?
Performers may need to show the ability to work up to Secret before award.
Can other offices use this CSO?
Only through AFCENT; the 20th Contracting Squadron keeps sole award authority.
Who do I contact?
Hutton Cobb (hutton.cobb@us.af.mil) or 1st Lt Hannah Baratz (hannah.baratz@us.af.mil).
Can BW&CO help with an AFCENT Battle Lab CSO submission?
Yes. BW&CO helps teams map their product to the counter-UAS areas, line up partners and write the solution brief. Book a call with our team.
Source: SAM.gov: AFCENT Battle Lab Commercial Solutions Opening