Is this actionable now?

closed. DIU is a procurement umbrella, not a grant. On 10 August 2026 the official open-solicitations page showed zero active Commercial Solutions Openings; companies can still submit general interest for future problems.

Respond to an active DIU problem with a mature commercial or dual-use solution and credible deployment path. Current actionability is closed because no active CSO was listed on the checked date.

What burden and restrictions apply?

Selected vendors execute a government prototype agreement with milestones, delivery, security, data-rights and payment obligations; this is not grant reporting. Funds purchase a defined prototype and are not unrestricted non-dilutive grant cash; cost sharing can apply under Other Transaction rules depending on contractor status and circumstances.

Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) — Commercial Solutions Openings

Problem-specific prototype Other Transaction procurement award with no universal minimum or maximum; selected solutions can lead to production contracts · Defense Innovation Unit (DoD)

DIU accelerates DoD adoption of commercial and dual-use technology using Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs) and Other Transaction (OT) authority — not traditional SBIR. Companies respond to specific problem statements with a short solution brief; awards (prototype OTs) can move in 60–90 days and lead to production contracts. Non-dilutive, no equity. Current lifecycle: closed. Real economics: Problem-specific prototype Other Transaction procurement award with no universal minimum or maximum; selected solutions can lead to production contracts.

Tier 3defensedual-usecsoother-transaction

Apply Official site Open in the live directory

Key facts

Funder	Defense Innovation Unit (DoD)
Amount	Problem-specific prototype Other Transaction procurement award with no universal minimum or maximum; selected solutions can lead to production contracts
Decision time	DIU describes prototype awards as often moving in roughly 60–90 days, but each solicitation controls and no current opportunity is open.
Eligibility	Respond to an active DIU problem with a mature commercial or dual-use solution and credible deployment path. Current actionability is closed because no active CSO was listed on the checked date.
Restrictions	Selected vendors execute a government prototype agreement with milestones, delivery, security, data-rights and payment obligations; this is not grant reporting. Funds purchase a defined prototype and are not unrestricted non-dilutive grant cash; cost sharing can apply under Other Transaction rules depending on contractor status and circumstances.
Status	closed

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

Monitor active solicitations
Submit a concise solution brief against a specific problem
Complete technical and commercial evaluation
Pitch and answer questions if invited
Negotiate an Other Transaction agreement
Prototype with a DoD partner and pursue production transition if successful

Background

Defense Innovation Unit (DoD) operates Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) — Commercial Solutions Openings. This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. DIU publishes a standardized solution-brief and prototype-OT route designed around commercial deployment The official process does not require prior government-contract experience

How the application really works

Monitor active solicitations → Submit a concise solution brief against a specific problem → Complete technical and commercial evaluation → Pitch and answer questions if invited → Negotiate an Other Transaction agreement → Prototype with a DoD partner and pursue production transition if successful

Tips

Show direct fit with AI and autonomy.
Show direct fit with cyber.
Show direct fit with energy.
Show direct fit with space.
Show direct fit with human systems.
Show direct fit with advanced materials.
Show direct fit with defense and dual-use technology.

Watch out for

Current lifecycle is closed.
Selected vendors execute a government prototype agreement with milestones, delivery, security, data-rights and payment obligations; this is not grant reporting.
Funds purchase a defined prototype and are not unrestricted non-dilutive grant cash; cost sharing can apply under Other Transaction rules depending on contractor status and circumstances.

Track record

DIU publishes a standardized solution-brief and prototype-OT route designed around commercial deployment
The official process does not require prior government-contract experience

No current opening exists and DIU does not publish a comparable umbrella acceptance rate.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?: closed. DIU is a procurement umbrella, not a grant. On 10 August 2026 the official open-solicitations page showed zero active Commercial Solutions Openings; companies can still submit general interest for future problems.
What is the real economic value?: Problem-specific prototype Other Transaction procurement award with no universal minimum or maximum; selected solutions can lead to production contracts
Who is eligible?: Respond to an active DIU problem with a mature commercial or dual-use solution and credible deployment path. Current actionability is closed because no active CSO was listed on the checked date.
How does selection work?: Monitor active solicitations; Submit a concise solution brief against a specific problem; Complete technical and commercial evaluation; Pitch and answer questions if invited; Negotiate an Other Transaction agreement; Prototype with a DoD partner and pursue production transition if successful. DIU describes prototype awards as often moving in roughly 60–90 days, but each solicitation controls and no current opportunity is open.
What burden and restrictions apply?: Selected vendors execute a government prototype agreement with milestones, delivery, security, data-rights and payment obligations; this is not grant reporting. Funds purchase a defined prototype and are not unrestricted non-dilutive grant cash; cost sharing can apply under Other Transaction rules depending on contractor status and circumstances.
What evidence exists?: DIU publishes a standardized solution-brief and prototype-OT route designed around commercial deployment The official process does not require prior government-contract experience No current opening exists and DIU does not publish a comparable umbrella acceptance rate.

Sources

www.diu.mil/work-with-us/open-solicitations — Official current opportunity count and solicitation route (checked 2026-08-10)
www.diu.mil/solution-brief-guidance — Official solution-brief format, commercial evidence and evaluation guidance (checked 2026-08-10)
www.diu.mil/work-with-us/thank-you-commercial — Official general-interest acknowledgment and response expectations (checked 2026-08-10)