Matter + Energy helps translate defined mission and business requirements into technology solutions that improve financial transparency, operational efficiency, decision-making and measurable outcomes. For eligible Department of Defense requirements, Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs) provide a competitive acquisition pathway for commercial products, commercial services and nondevelopmental items.
What is a CSO?
Agency posts an Area of Interest
The agency defines a broadly stated problem or operational need — not a detailed statement of work. This is intentional. CSOs are designed to invite commercial solutions, not prescribe them.
Industry submits a Solution Brief
Vendors respond with a short-form solution brief, whitepaper or pitch rather than a lengthy traditional proposal.
Merit-based evaluation & selection
Government experts evaluate submissions against the solicitation's criteria, using technical, peer or operational review. Multiple vendors may be selected.
Award
CSO awards are FAR-based contracts, usually fixed-price. Agencies can also use a similar solicitation process to award a prototype Other Transaction. How prototype OTs work →
Why CSO
Traditional federal procurement processes were designed for defense systems with long development cycles and detailed specifications. They were not designed for commercial software and AI platforms that already exist, already work, and can be deployed in weeks.
Under 10 U.S.C. § 3458, authorized DoD officials may acquire commercial solutions through general solicitations and competitive selection, using technical, peer or operational review as appropriate. Evaluations focus on the solution's relevance to agency requirements, technical merit and the stated criteria. Awards follow the governing acquisition requirements and solicitation terms.
Matter + Energy contributes in three areas. Technology financial management: connecting financial and operational data for technology cost transparency, TBM-based cost modeling, planning, forecasting and investment decisions. AI adoption and intelligent automation: identifying practical AI opportunities, integrating solutions into workflows and establishing meaningful performance measures. Solution development and integration: solution designs, technical demonstrations, data integrations and implementation plans.
Problem-first solicitations
Agencies describe an area of interest, a broadly stated problem or need, rather than a detailed statement of work.
Merit-based evaluation
Submissions are evaluated on their merit against the solicitation's criteria, using technical, peer or operational review.
Fixed-price commercial award
CSO awards are FAR-based contracts, typically fixed-price, for commercial products and services. Where an agency needs a prototype first, a prototype Other Transaction is a separate route. How prototype OTs work →
Follow-on production
Under 10 U.S.C. § 3458(c), a qualifying acquisition may provide a basis for follow-on production, including certain sole-source contracts, subject to the statute's requirements and approvals. Follow-on awards are decided by the government; they are not automatic or guaranteed. How follow-on production works →
Further reading: OTA Prototype Authority: What Program Managers Get Wrong
Open to commercial and smaller firms
CSOs give agencies a practical way to reach commercial products and services, including those from small businesses and nontraditional contractors.
Flexible IP and data rights
IP and data rights are addressed in each award, and pre-existing commercial IP can be protected.
Discuss a Commercial Solutions Opportunity
Matter + Energy welcomes discussions with federal program teams, acquisition stakeholders and industry partners seeking practical solutions to defined technology and mission challenges.
Discuss a CSO OpportunityGovernment acquisition officials determine the authority, solicitation requirements, evaluation process, award terms and any follow-on approach.
Solutions Catalog
Each solution is a commercially proven platform deployed in enterprise and government environments. Both are available for CSO procurement by DoD and federal agencies — either as standalone capability acquisitions or as part of a broader digital modernization initiative.
Recommended NAICS
541512Also applicable
518210 541519Included Capabilities
CSO Areas of Interest — Alignment
IT Cost Transparency & Budget Defensibility
Directly addresses agency requirements for real-time cost visibility, defensible allocation methodology, and reporting infrastructure that supports congressional and OMB budget cycles.
Cloud Cost Governance & FinOps
Responds to agency needs for cloud spend accountability, waste reduction, and multi-cloud cost management in GovCloud environments — a persistent and growing area of federal interest.
Digital Modernization Enablement
Provides the cost intelligence infrastructure required to plan, execute, and justify large-scale digital modernization investments — a cross-agency priority area eligible for CSO procurement.
Recommended NAICS
541511Also applicable
541512 541519Included Capabilities
CSO Areas of Interest — Alignment
AI Adoption & Workforce Productivity
Directly addresses DoD and federal agency requirements for AI tools that demonstrably improve workforce productivity — with the measurement infrastructure to prove it to program managers and oversight bodies.
AI Governance & Risk Management
Responds to OMB and NIST requirements for AI risk tiering, responsible AI deployment frameworks, and audit-ready governance documentation — required for high-impact federal AI uses under OMB's AI policy.
Intelligent Automation & Process Optimization
Agentic workflow capabilities directly address federal AOIs around intelligent process automation, decision support, and operational efficiency — applicable across mission, administrative, and support functions.
Get Started
Whether you're writing a CSO, evaluating vendors for an active Area of Interest, or exploring whether our solutions fit an upcoming requirement — request a briefing. We'll walk your program managers and contracting officers through our capabilities, compliance posture, and deployment approach.
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