What are the best steps to respond to a DoD CSO in 2026?

Start with the solicitation itself. Under DFARS subpart 212.70, the CSO must state the agency’s interest, identify the technical data needed to meet DoD minimum requirements, list the evaluation factors, state the proposal acceptance period, and provide proposal-preparation instructions. A strong response should track those items directly and make the technical solution easy to evaluate. The government’s primary factors are technical merit and importance to agency programs; price must be addressed to the extent appropriate, at minimum so the contracting officer can determine that it is fair and reasonable. The evaluation is done through a scientific, technological, or other subject-matter-expert peer review process, and proposals do not have to be compared against each other because they are not submitted against a common statement of work. The resulting award uses a fixed-price type contract, including a fixed-price incentive contract, and the contracting officer must document that the CSO requirements were met. If a small business would otherwise be selected but is found not responsible, the SBA Certificate of Competency process applies. If the CSO is being used for research and development, the contracting officer must use the CSO procedures together with FAR part 35 and part 235.