Space Domain Awareness Solutions CSO
Executive Summary:
The U.S. Space Force Space Acquisition & Integration Office (SAIO) is awarding up to $6 million through a multi-year Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) to small businesses developing innovative Space Domain Awareness (SDA) solutions. Companies submit short white papers under specific Areas of Interest (AOIs), with AOI-2025_01 closing January 20, 2026.
How much funding would I receive?
Funding amounts are determined at the AOI and proposal level. For AOI-2025_01, awards are expected to come from a shared ~$1.5M funding pool across multiple AOIs. The Government may fund all, some, or part of a proposed solution, depending on mission priority, technical merit, and available funds.
What could I use the funding for?
SpOC/S33Z – SDA Capability Enhancement seeks research, development, and prototyping efforts that advance state-of-the-art methods for managing, analyzing, and exploiting space sensor data. The dynamic and challenging SDA environment requires novel approaches that go beyond traditional software development, with emphasis on experimental techniques, proof-of-concept demonstrations, and technology maturation that can transition into operational use.
Technical Focus Areas (TFAs)
Offerors may propose solutions aligned with one or more of the following TFAs. All submissions should emphasize the R&D aspect of their approach, with deliverables expected to include prototypes, models, and/or experimental frameworks rather than production-ready systems.
-
Desired Capabilities:
• Research and prototyping of new database or data architecture approaches for storing and managing sensor observations, state vectors, and metadata.
• Experimental tools for data format translation/conversion to enable integration across platforms or analysis pipelines.
• Innovative methods for tagging, indexing, and organizing traditional and non-traditional sensor data (e.g., radar, EO/IR, passive RF).
-
Desired Capabilities:
• Development and validation of new modeling techniques to determine LEO sensor performance requirements.
• Research into space environmental models to support phased array radar performance assessments.
• Exploration of methods for dynamic weighting of sensor observations.
• Prototyping of modeling/simulation tools to assess the impact of sensor network topology changes.
• Experimental accuracy assessment tools for passive RF systems, mobile sensors, or degraded data environments.
-
Desired Capabilities:
• Exploration of approaches to integrate or reuse government-developed astrodynamics models/toolkits in new prototypes.
• Rapid prototyping of experimental software to address SDA operational challenges.
• Research into refactoring methods that enable rapid prototypes to evolve into maintainable, deployable systems without full-scale redevelopment.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Beyond the direct award, companies benefit from:
Government Validation & Technical Credibility
Being selected by the U.S. Space Force Space Acquisition & Integration Office (SAIO) signals strong technical credibility and alignment with Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission priorities—significantly strengthening trust with primes, integrators, and future DoD customers.
Non-Dilutive Technology Maturation
CSO awards enable companies to advance high-risk, high-impact SDA software and analytics technologies using non-dilutive capital, preserving founder equity while increasing enterprise value and technical maturity.
Access to Space Force Operational Stakeholders
Awardees gain direct exposure to Space Force operators, technical leads, and acquisition personnel within the SDA enterprise—creating opportunities for transition paths, follow-on AOIs, and future operational adoption.
Increased Visibility & Notoriety
Participation in Space Force–funded R&D enhances visibility across the national security space ecosystem, including government stakeholders, defense primes, and the broader space technology community.
Strengthened Exit / Acquisition Potential
Demonstrating government-backed progress in SDA capabilities positions companies for strategic partnerships, follow-on contracts, or acquisition by major defense and space industry primes.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Phase I submissions consist of a white paper and short PowerPoint briefing. For AOI-2025_01, white papers close January 20, 2026. Selected companies may be invited to pitch sessions and then submit a full proposal. Award notifications typically occur within ~45 days of evaluation, with contract start dates generally ~90 days after final proposal submission.
Where does this funding come from?
This funding is provided by the U.S. Space Force, administered through the Space Acquisition & Integration Office (SAIO) under DFARS 212.70 Commercial Solutions Opening authority.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to U.S. entities. AOI-2025_01 is a 100% small business set-aside under NAICS 541715. Offerors must comply with NIST SP 800-171 cybersecurity requirements and be eligible for federal contracting.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Winning teams are typically small businesses with strong technical depth in space data, analytics, modeling, or software R&D, and a clear understanding of SDA mission needs. Competitive proposals emphasize innovation, feasibility, and operational relevance, while remaining realistic in scope, schedule, and cost.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Phase I submissions must be unclassified. Foreign participation is prohibited due to export control and national security restrictions. The Government will acquire only minimum necessary data rights, allowing companies to retain ownership of their core IP.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
Most teams should expect 4–6 weeks to prepare a compliant Phase I submission, including the quad chart, PowerPoint briefing, and white paper. Founders should plan additional time if cybersecurity documentation or internal technical alignment is needed.
How can BW&CO help?
Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:
Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development
Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations
Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under Federal & State R&D Initiatives.
How much would BW&CO Charge?
Fractional support is $300 per hour.
For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.