Solicitation Launched: Army Seeks Cutting-Edge Solutions Under Its Always-Open AOS

The U.S. Army has officially launched its Army Open Solicitation (AOS), a “perpetual” Special Notice designed to accelerate the delivery of innovative capabilities across all Army mission areas. Published May 1, 2025, by the U.S. Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), the AOS represents a strategic shift toward more agile, commercially driven acquisition pathways. Interested parties can review the full details and submit Solution Briefs via SAM.gov here: https://sam.gov/opp/e486c3a09b594cba8c1e1b06d23aef4a/view.

Reviving the Industrial Base & Maximizing Lethality
At its core, the AOS seeks to “support all Army Mission Areas and to revive the industrial base in order to maximize the lethality of the Army.” By keeping the solicitation open indefinitely (inactive only upon cancellation), the Army can immediately post Active Capability Gaps (ACGs) and issue targeted Calls for Solutions whenever a new need arises. This model eliminates the traditional wait for broadly scoped Requests for Proposals (RFPs), allowing the Warfighter to benefit more rapidly from cutting-edge commercial technologies and research efforts.

Leveraging Multiple Authority Vehicles
ACC-APG is empowered to make awards under a variety of existing authorities, enabling maximum flexibility for both large and small businesses. These include:

• FAR 6.102(d)(2) – Other Competitive Procedures
• FAR 35.016 / DFARS 235.016 – Broad Agency Announcements for R&D
• 10 U.S.C. §§ 4021–4023 & 3458 – Prototype, experimental, and commercial solutions authorities
• Employee Stock Ownership Pilot (ESOP) Program – As authorized by recent NDAAs

By combining or selecting among these statutes and regulations, the Army can tailor solicitations to the technical risk, maturity, and urgency of each requirement. Whether supporting basic research, applied research, prototype development, or incidental production, the AOS encourages a wide spectrum of innovative approaches.

Two-Track Response Process
Responders have two distinct paths to engage:

1. Active Capability Gaps (ACG) Mailboxes – Once Active Gaps are identified, interested firms may submit directly to the appropriate mailbox. (Note: mailboxes for some ACG areas are still pending and will be added as amendments.)
2. Government Calls for Solutions – For high-priority needs, the Army will release limited-window Calls for Solutions, each with its own response timeline.

To maintain transparency, each amendment to the AOS is uploaded as a “conformed version,” with all updates highlighted in yellow. The most recent ACG/Call for Solutions was posted May 1, 2025.

Bridging Training & Acquisition
On LinkedIn, the Army’s Program Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems (PEO Enterprise) celebrated, writing:

“We’re excited to share this very first offering to support our Army Training Information System! We appreciate the support from our U.S. Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) partners.”

This milestone underscores how the AOS framework not only accelerates materiel development but also integrates critical training platforms into the acquisition lifecycle.

Next Steps & Deadlines
All organizations—whether established defense contractors, small businesses, or academic innovators—are highly encouraged to review the full Army Open Solicitation on SAM.gov and prepare Solution Briefs. The next submission deadline is Friday, May 16, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute cutting-edge solutions that will shape the future of Army readiness and lethality.

🔊 Listen to Story