Cut acquisition red tape with a Phase III SBIR contract vehicle aligned to the 2025 DoD software mandate to leverage Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs), Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), and modern delivery to accelerate outcomes.
The Urgent Call for Software Acquisition Reform
On March 6, 2025, the Secretary of Defense issued a decisive mandate: the Department of Defense must pivot immediately to a software-centric acquisition model. The memo is clear, recognizing that software-defined warfare is now the present reality, not a future state. To meet this reality, it directs the use of the Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP), prioritizing Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs) and Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) for all software development initiatives in the planning phase.
This memo represents a turning point for acquisition professionals, program managers, and developers across the Department, calling for decisive action to accelerate delivery, embrace agile frameworks, and leverage existing contracting authorities.
Enter the Rise8 SDO IDIQ.
What Is the Rise8 SDO IDIQ?
The Rise8 SDO IDIQ—contract FA873023DB004—is a Phase III SBIR contract vehicle designed to enable secure, continuous software delivery for operational missions.
This contract vehicle allows any federal agency to issue sole-source task orders without recompete, under the authority of 15 U.S.C. § 638(r)(4). Translation: program teams can bypass months of acquisition overhead to deliver outcomes in weeks, not years.
This single-award, decentralized IDIQ derives from three competitively awarded CSOs, enabling any federal agency to issue task orders without recompete.
- Air Force X224-OCSO1 Phase I Open Call for Innovative Defense-Related Dual-Purpose Technologies/Solutions with a Clear Air Force or Space Force Stakeholder Need
- USAF Technical Order Analyzer and Processing Engine
- USSF DevSecOps for Event-Driven Operations Assessment
- Air Force AFX235-CSO1 Phase I Open Call for Innovative Defense-Related Dual-Purpose Technologies/Solutions with a Clear Air Force or Space Force Stakeholder Need
- USSF Automated Software Assessment and Monitoring Tool - TRACER
These CSOs satisfy the statutory competition requirements outlined in 10 U.S.C. § 4022, making any task order under this IDIQ fully compliant with the Secretary’s 2025 Directive to use CSOs as a default acquisition pathway.
Why It Aligns Perfectly with DoD’s 2025 Priorities
The Secretary’s memo outlines three clear acquisition imperatives:
- Adopt the Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP)
- Default to CSOs and OTAs
- Prioritize performance-based outcomes
The Rise8 SDO IDIQ delivers on all three:
- SWP-Compatible: Task orders under this contract vehicle can implement modern acquisition-to-operations workflows and DevSecOps pipelines, fully aligned with the intent and mechanics of the SWP.
- Performance-Driven Outcomes: The contract vehicle is built for real software delivery in production, not paperwork or PowerPoints.
- Rapid Execution Under Phase III Authority: Like OTAs, Phase III SBIR vehicles enable fast, flexible acquisition. The Rise8 IDIQ leverages lawful sole-source authority to eliminate recompete delays and accelerate delivery.
What’s in Scope: Mission-Aligned Capabilities
The Rise8 SDO IDIQ supports a broad mission scope across three key lines of effort (LOEs):
- LOE 1: Software development support for autonomy
- LOE 2: Software development support for transition programs
- LOE 3: Software development support for Government-led development
These LOEs translate into real, mission-critical outcomes through task orders that include:
- Full product team delivery or co-delivery with government partners
- DevSecOps enablement and secure platform engineering
- Path to production assessments for ongoing authorization
- Application modernization, migration, and transformation
- Data infrastructure enhancement and mission-driven analytics
Each task order must derive, extend, or complete from the original SBIR work: a DevSecOps process for secure, continuous software delivery. If your mission demands secure, high-quality software, continuously delivered at speed, it’s in scope.
Who Can Use It—and Why You Should
Any federal agency or DoD component can issue a task order under the Rise8 SDO IDIQ, even if they didn’t fund the original SBIR effort. That includes software factories and research labs or government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO) facilities.
Competition Requirements? Already Met.
Because this is a Phase III SBIR award, no additional competition or justification is required under CICA, FAR 6.3, or any other acquisition authority. The original SBIR competition satisfies all statutory requirements.
Data Rights? Built In and Backed by Law.
Software delivered under this contract vehicle includes Government Purpose Data Rights with 20-year SBIR Data Rights protections, ensuring you retain what matters.
By leveraging our SDO IDIQ, you’ll join the ranks of multiple programs across the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and Department of Veterans Affairs who are already achieving mission outcomes.
“It is the easiest vehicle I've ever used. We can't/won't start a separate new contract if we can keep using that contract." - USSF Contracting Officer
Your Fastest Path to Software Delivery
In a time when software can be the difference between mission success and failure, you don’t have to start with a new CSO or chase the next OTA. You can contract better now using a vehicle that’s already working across DoD.
The Rise8 SDO IDIQ is legally grounded, technically proven, and strategically aligned for continuously delivering secure, high-quality software without delay; it’s fast, flexible, and fully compliant with the 2025 DoD mandate to modernize software acquisition.
The path forward is already here.
Let’s Get Started
Ready to rise? Reach out to learn how your team can issue a task order under the Rise8 SDO IDIQ and deliver mission-ready software at the speed of relevance.
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