Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Commercial Solutions Opening (SP4701-27-S-C001): Executive Summary for Startups

Open through October 1, 2031. Areas of interest post on SAM.gov.

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Executive Summary

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) posted a five-year Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) on October 1, 2026. It stays open until October 1, 2031. DLA will publish specific Areas of Interest (AOIs) on SAM.gov on a rolling basis, and each AOI will set its own deadline and solution brief template. As of October 7, 2026, no AOI has been posted.

DLA runs the Department's supply chain management, energy and fuel distribution, disposition services and rapid logistics response. Companies in logistics software, supply chain visibility, warehouse automation, fuel and energy, and disposition and recycling should watch this CSO and be ready to apply when an AOI matches their product. Awards are fixed-price, either as prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreements with a path to follow-on production or as FAR-based commercial contracts.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), DCSO Philadelphia
• Opportunity: Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) Framework (2026 to 2031)
• Solicitation number: SP4701-27-S-C001
• Authority: 10 U.S.C. 3458 and DFARS Subpart 212.70; prototype OTs under 10 U.S.C. 4022
• Award vehicle: Fixed-price prototype OT agreements, FAR Part 12 commercial contracts or commercial contracts under DFARS 212.7002(b)
• Funding: No dollar amount published. Funding availability is screened for each solution brief.
• Technology maturity: Technologies, processes or methods that are new, or a rapid, novel application or adaptation of existing ones
• Due date: Rolling through October 1, 2031. Each AOI sets its own closing date.

Think your company fits DLA's mission areas? Talk with BW&CO before the first AOIs post.

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What Is the DLA CSO?

A CSO is a competitive procedure that lets DoD buy commercial and innovative solutions through short solution briefs. DLA's CSO is a five-year framework: the base notice sets the rules, and each AOI describes a specific need, its evaluation scale and its deadline.

What Problem Is DLA Trying to Solve?

DLA is the Department of Defense's logistics combat support agency. It supports the military services, combatant commands and federal partners worldwide. Its AOIs will describe specific capability gaps, technical challenges or mission requirements across that mission.

Priority Capability Areas: Where DLA Works

DLA has not posted AOIs yet. Its notice describes the mission areas AOIs will come from:

• Supply chain management: Planning, sourcing, inventory and visibility across the defense supply chain.
• Energy and fuel distribution: Fuel supply and energy support for military operations.
• Disposition services: Reuse, resale, recycling and disposal of excess property.
• Rapid logistics response: Fast support for crises and contingencies.

Funding and Contract Terms

• Funding: No dollar amount is published.
• Funding screen: At the first screen, DLA rates each solution brief "Funding Possible" or "Funding Not Possible." DLA states that "lower-priced solutions that align with immediate budgetary parameters are inherently favored."
• Contract type: Every contract or agreement under this CSO is fixed-price.
• Instrument: DLA intends to award prototype OTs but may use a FAR-based contract instead.
• Path to production: After a successful prototype OT, DLA may award a follow-on production contract or agreement without new competition, subject to available funds. Success can be declared on a discrete phase of the project.
• Submission costs: DLA does not pay for solution briefs, pitches, proposals or travel.

Eligibility

• Who can apply: Any responsible company. The notice defines nontraditional defense contractors to include all small businesses.
• Classification: Submissions must be unclassified.
• Responsibility: DLA will assess performance record, integrity, financial capability and operational capacity before award.

How to Apply

• Watch SAM.gov for AOIs posted under SP4701-27-S-C001.
• Use the official Solution Brief template attached to the AOI. Nonconforming briefs are returned without technical evaluation.
• Describe your solution, technical approach and pricing in the brief.
• Keep your terms and price valid for at least 180 calendar days.
• Mark proprietary information. DFARS 252.227-7991 (Deviation 2026-O0036) applies.
• Submit electronically to the DLA points of contact before the AOI's closing date and time. You may submit more than one brief for different approaches to one AOI.

What Happens After You Submit?

• Conformance review and funding screen: Administrative check and "Funding Possible / Funding Not Possible."
• Technical evaluation: Technical feasibility, importance to agency programs and viability, in that order. Ties go to the lowest-priced, highly rated brief.
• Next step if selected: A pitch, a full proposal or direct award negotiations.
• Award: A prototype OT or FAR-based commercial contract after negotiations and a fair and reasonable price determination.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits companies with a working commercial product, or a prototype close to one, in logistics software, supply chain analytics, warehouse and materiel handling automation, fuel and energy systems, or recycling and disposition. It also fits firms that can price a bounded first phase.

It fits less well if you need cost-reimbursed R&D or if you cannot hold your price for 180 days.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For CSOs like DLA's, we help you:

• Track new DLA AOIs and match them to your product.
• Write a solution brief on the official template.
• Price a fixed-price first phase that fits DLA's funding screen.
• Draft prototype success metrics that support a follow-on production award.
• Prepare for the pitch and negotiations.

Plan Your DLA CSO Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

What is solicitation SP4701-27-S-C001?

DLA's Commercial Solutions Opening framework for 2026 to 2031. It sets the rules for solution briefs submitted against AOIs DLA posts on SAM.gov.

What is the deadline?

The CSO is open through October 1, 2031. Each AOI has its own closing date and time.

Are any AOIs open now?

Not as of October 7, 2026. DLA says it will post AOIs on a rolling basis.

How much funding is available?

No amount is published. DLA screens each brief for funding availability.

What kind of award results?

A fixed-price prototype OT under 10 U.S.C. 4022 or a FAR-based commercial contract, at DLA's discretion.

Can a prototype lead to production?

Yes. If the prototype OT was competitively awarded through this CSO and is successfully completed, DLA may award follow-on production without new competition, subject to funds.

Does DLA pay for my submission?

No. DLA does not pay for briefs, pitches, proposals or travel.

Can I submit more than one brief?

Yes, for different technological approaches to the same AOI. Each brief must stand alone.

Can BW&CO help with a DLA CSO submission?

Yes. We help founders match AOIs, write the brief and price a fundable first phase. Book a call with our team.

Source: SAM.gov, SP4701-27-S-C001