Executive Summary
U.S. Transportation Command's Commercial Solutions Opening buys commercial IT, cybersecurity and logistics solutions for its global mobility mission. Companies submit Solution Briefs on Vulcan under two General Areas of Interest at any time. It is "continuously open until 1 February 2036"; no closing time or time zone is stated.
The deciding factor is a working product. A General AoI Solution Brief must include a video of no more than five minutes that shows "the actual working capability of the solution, not simply display a slideshow or PowerPoint-style presentation." Submissions sent by email or missing a video "will not be considered for evaluation."
Solicitation at a Glance
- Agency: U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Department of War
- Opportunity: USTRANSCOM Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)
- Number: HTC71126SCSO1
- Award Vehicle: "Firm-Fixed Price contracts under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or Other Transaction (OT) Agreements for Prototype Projects in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 4022"
- Funding: "General AoIs (see Attachment 1) do not have an estimated cost." Specific AoIs "may designate an estimated cost at the AoI level."
- Technology Maturity: Commercial products, technologies and services; briefs must say whether the effort is a prototype or new capability, an existing commercial capability, or further development of commercial technology
- Window: Posted April 15, 2026; "continuously open until 1 February 2036." Specific AoIs have their own "limited submission windows."
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before you submit. General AoI Solution Briefs are accepted at any time until 1 February 2036.
What Is the TRANSCOM Commercial Solutions Opening?
A Commercial Solutions Opening is a competitive procedure for buying commercial items, technologies and services, authorized under DFARS Subpart 212.70. USTRANSCOM, the Department of War's provider of global mobility in peace and war, uses this CSO to take Solution Briefs, pitches and written proposals in three phases. It is issued on a full and open competitive basis and uses two kinds of Areas of Interest (AoIs): General AoIs that stay open for the life of the CSO, and Specific AoIs posted on SAM.gov for defined problems.
What Problem Is USTRANSCOM Trying to Solve?
USTRANSCOM is looking for solutions "to address capability gaps, operational efficiency, and its global mobility mission." Its General AoIs ask for approaches "not currently in use by USTRANSCOM" that modernize enterprise IT, strengthen security, and improve the visibility, resilience and scale of global transportation and distribution.
Priority Areas of Interest: What USTRANSCOM Is Looking For
- AoI-901, Information Technology (IT) and Cybersecurity: cloud-based IT services and architecture, cybersecurity defense and threat detection, transportation management systems, and artificial intelligence and machine learning applications.
- AoI-902, Transportation and General Logistics Optimization: supply chain resilience and risk management, real-time tracking and visibility platforms, predictive analytics for logistics decisions, and automated transportation and cargo handling systems.
- Specific AoIs: targeted needs posted periodically on SAM.gov under this CSO, with their own requirements and windows. Specific AoI 001 (In-Transit Visibility Modernization) and Specific AoI 002 (COMPASS) have already been posted, and both windows have closed.
Funding and Award Terms
- Award types: Firm-Fixed Price contracts under FAR Part 12, or OT Agreements for Prototype Projects under 10 U.S.C. 4022.
- Amount: General AoIs "do not have an estimated cost" and "do not have dedicated funding." Specific AoIs may have dedicated funding and an estimated cost.
- Number of awards: the Government "may make no awards, one award, or multiple awards against the AoI."
- Submission costs: not reimbursed unless an AoI specifically says so.
Eligibility and Participation
- Competition: full and open. Individual AoIs may specify their own competitive environments.
- SAM.gov: "To receive an award, offerors must be a registered entity at SAM.gov."
- Vulcan account: General AoI briefs are submitted on the Vulcan platform, and your organizational information must be current before you submit.
- IT security: IT solutions must address DFARS 252.204-7012 for unclassified systems, the NISPOM (32 CFR Part 117) for classified systems, Risk Management Framework processes, Authority to Operate support and incident reporting.
- Multiple briefs: allowed for an AoI if each represents a distinct concept.
How to Apply
- Register for a Vulcan account at vulcan-sof.com and keep your company profile current.
- Choose AoI-901 or AoI-902 and open its Vulcan link from the SAM.gov notice.
- Complete a Scout Card covering the executive summary, solution concept, offeror responsibility and solution viability, and estimated price and delivery schedule.
- Record a video of no more than five minutes that demonstrates the working capability of your solution.
- Watch SAM.gov for Specific AoIs, which may instead ask for a white paper of no more than six pages.
What Happens After You Submit?
- Phase 1, Solution Brief: evaluated on three equally important criteria: alignment to the USTRANSCOM mission; technical merit (feasibility, innovation, milestone schedule and prior experience); and funds availability and potential return on investment.
- General AoI outcomes: the Government may elect not to evaluate, provide no response, keep the solution in the USTRANSCOM library for future consideration, or move you to Phase 2 or directly to Phase 3.
- Phase 2, Presentation/Pitch: up to 90 minutes, evaluated on the same criteria plus your answers to Government questions.
- Phase 3, Request for Proposal: a technical volume of no more than 10 pages, a separate Statement of Work, and a price volume with an Excel pricing model. Price is checked for fairness and reasonableness.
- Award: the offeror may receive a FAR-based award or OT Agreement. Briefs, pitches and proposals are evaluated against the criteria, not compared with other submissions.
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
It fits companies with a working commercial product in enterprise IT, cybersecurity, transportation management, AI for logistics, supply chain risk, tracking and visibility, or automated cargo handling that USTRANSCOM does not already use. A concept without a demonstrable product, or a team that cannot meet DoW IT security requirements, 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 defense commercial solutions openings like the TRANSCOM CSO, we help you:
- Choose the AoI: decide between AoI-901, AoI-902 or a Specific AoI.
- Build the Scout Card: a clear solution concept, viability case and price estimate.
- Plan the video: a five-minute demonstration of real working capability.
- Prepare the pitch: get ready for a Phase 2 presentation and Government questions.
- Write the proposal: technical volume, Statement of Work and pricing model for Phase 3.
Plan Your TRANSCOM CSO Submission
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is running this CSO?
U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), under solicitation HTC71126SCSO1.
When is it due?
General AoIs are accepted at any time while the CSO is open. It is "continuously open until 1 February 2036" and may be updated periodically. Specific AoIs have their own windows.
How much funding is available?
General AoIs "do not have an estimated cost" and do not have dedicated funding. Specific AoIs may list an estimated cost.
What kind of award could I get?
A Firm-Fixed Price contract under the FAR or an OT Agreement for a Prototype Project under 10 U.S.C. 4022.
How do I submit?
For General AoIs, submit a Scout Card with a video on the Vulcan platform. Submissions sent by email or missing a video will not be considered.
Can I submit more than one Solution Brief?
Yes, if each brief represents a distinct concept.
Do I need to be registered in SAM.gov?
To receive an award, offerors must be a registered entity at SAM.gov.
Will I always hear back?
Not for General AoIs. The Government may elect not to evaluate or provide no response, or it may keep your solution on file for future consideration.
Can BW&CO help with a TRANSCOM CSO submission?
Yes. BW&CO helps teams choose the AoI, build the Scout Card and video, and prepare for the pitch and proposal. Book a call with our team.
Source: SAM.gov: USTRANSCOM Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) (HTC71126SCSO1)