Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) : Tactical Oceanography Supporting Full-Spectrum Undersea Warfare

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport (NUWC DIV NEWPORT) has issued a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), solicitation number N66604-26-9-A00X, to award Other Transaction Agreements for prototype projects in tactical oceanography. This initiative seeks commercial prototyping efforts for the development of new onboard and offboard environmental sensors and devices designed to build operator situational awareness. The project also encompasses information systems that enable military personnel to improve the performance of existing platforms and systems through the expert use of the environment. Work will be performed in Newport, Rhode Island, under NAICS 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) and PSC AC33 for National Defense R&D Services; Defense-Related Activities; Experimental Development.

This solicitation follows a phased competitive process open to nontraditional and traditional defense contractors and non-profit research institutions, including universities. Prototype projects must be directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of military personnel or improving platforms and materials used by the Armed Forces. The government anticipates awarding individual agreements on or about June 26, 2026. Performance requirements are detailed across three Statements of Work corresponding to unclassified/CUI, Secret, and TS/SCI security levels. There is no set-aside associated with this opportunity.

The agency has provided seven attachments, including a base agreement, multiple Statements of Work, and a series of questions and answers via Amendment 0001. Solution briefs and white paper proposals must be submitted via email to the designated government points of contact, Julianna Ricci and Chris Kenney, by the response deadline of April 17, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. These submissions will be evaluated to ensure competitive procedures are utilized to the maximum extent practicable for these Department of Defense acquisitions.