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researchers intended to provide the DoD and its workforce with a consolidated report analyzing available data on the CSO solicitation technique and making recommendations based on the use of CSOs. As a result of our research, we achieved that purpose, fulfilled the intent of the research, and provided a consolidated analysis of the available data through the exploration of the available data from published reports and the CSO Cross Talks. Additionally, we provided eight targeted recommendations, each with their anticipated benefits and means to implement, encompassing the three themes of training and development, policy changes, and tracking and reporting. Our research was the first to delve into the use of CSOs and is exploratory in nature. Based on our research findings, we do suggest the following areas for further research. • First, additional research should be conducted by further dissecting and disseminating the contract data into individual commands to support an exploration of what, if any, unique processes or approaches those commands employ that led to efficiencies. Through that exploration, the acquisition community can glean lessons learned and develop a more robust set of guidance and procedures to fully maximize the efficiencies of using the CSO solicitation methodology. • Second, recalling our CSO Cross Talk findings that noted a lack of accurate CSO data reporting, we propose that the adoption of our recommendations are critical to supporting future research. With the implementation of our recommendations, future research can be conducted to further understand the DoD’s CSO utilization and draw further conclusions about the strengths, weaknesses, and best practices of CSOs as a solicitation technique. • Third, our research focused on CSOs resulting in award of FAR- based contracts; however, no statute prohibits awarding an OT from a CSO as long as it is fixed-price. In fact, the language of Section 803 of the FY 2022 NDAA (2021) specifically authorizes the CSO process for both “contracts and agreements” (p. 274). Accordingly, future research could be conducted using the methods established in our research to analyze strengths, weaknesses, and best practices as they particularly apply to CSOs resulting in OTs.
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Defense ARJ , Spring 2025, Vol. 32 No. 1
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