System for Award Management
SAM.gov is the single, authoritative, and free portal for all federal government contracting opportunities. All competitive prime solicitations valued over $25,000 are published here.
How to Search: To locate active solicitations specifically issued by PAE Marine Corps and our subordinate programs, enter our primary DoDAACs in the search filter: M67854 (PAE Marine Corps / MCSC) or M68909 (MCTSSA).
PIEE Solicitation Module (formerly SeaPort-NxG Portal)
The Department of the Navy has transitioned all SeaPort-NxG solicitation, bidding, and task order management away from the legacy SeaPort website and migrated it directly into the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE).
How to Participate: PAE Marine Corps continues to compete its professional support services (Engineering, Financial Management, Program Management, and Logistics) among Multiple Award Contract (MAC) holders. All active opportunities, attachment data, and electronic proposal submissions are now managed directly through the PIEE Solicitation Module. Vendors must ensure they have an active PIEE account with the "Proposal Manager" role to search and bid on these requirements.
DoW Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI)
The DoW Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) is the mandatory department-wide source for commercial software, IT hardware, and related technical services . Under DFARS 208.7402, PAE Marine Corps buyers must utilize ESI agreements (such as enterprise BPAs) to the maximum extent possible.
How to Participate: If your company provides commercial-off-the-shelf software, IT hardware, or cloud services, you should explore establishing or aligning with an ESI Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). Small businesses often partner with large, established ESI awardees as authorized resellers to secure immediate, direct-access sales to PAE Marine Corps.
NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement
NASA SEWP is a highly utilized, premier Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) focused on Information Technology (IT) and commercial tech solutions. PAE Marine Corps frequently utilizes NASA SEWP to rapidly procure IT hardware, software, and technical services.
How to Participate: If you sell IT products, SaaS, or tech-adjacent services, obtaining a NASA SEWP vehicle or partnering with an authorized SEWP reseller is an excellent way to capture Marine Corps IT modernizing funds.
GSA Multiple Award Schedules
The GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) is a long-term, GWAC that provides federal agencies with direct access to millions of commercial products and services at pre-negotiated, volume-discounted pricing.
How to Participate: Holding a GSA Schedule is a powerful asset for small businesses. PAE Marine Corps buyers utilize GSA Schedules to issue fast, competitive Requests for Quotes.
Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace
The Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace is the Department of War's premier digital environment for procuring Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), data, and digital analytics solutions.
How to Participate: If you are a non-traditional defense contractor or small business operating in the deep-tech space, you can upload brief video pitches of your technology to the Tradewinds platform. If assessed and accepted, your solution becomes immediately procurable by PAE Marine Corps buyers under rapid Other Transaction Authority (OTA) pathways.
In addition to traditional FAR-based contracting, PAE Marine Corps utilizes Alternative Acquisition Pathways to rapidly prototype, test, and field commercial technologies. These streamlined pathways are specifically designed to reduce barriers to entry for Non-Traditional Defense Contractors and agile small businesses:
Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs)
A BAA is a competitive solicitation procedure used to obtain proposals for basic and applied research. Rather than outlining a specific statement of work, PAE Marine Corps uses BAAs to define a broad operational challenge, allowing industry to propose unique, scientific solutions.
How to Participate: Active PAE Marine Corps BAAs are published on SAM.gov. Small businesses should submit white papers or proposals that align with the specific research areas of interest outlined in the announcement.
Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs)
A CSO is a fast-track solicitation process specifically designed to acquire commercial items, technologies, or services that can be directly adapted for Marine Corps use. Like BAAs, they focus on solving problems rather than dictating strict, static requirements.
How to Participate: PAE Marine Corps posts CSOs on SAM.gov and through specific innovation portals (such as the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace). CSOs often utilize a streamlined evaluation process, moving quickly from a brief pitch to a prototype contract.
Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) & Consortia
Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) are legally binding acquisition instruments that are not subject to the standard Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). PAE Marine Corps uses OTAs for advanced research, rapid prototyping, and scaling successful prototypes into full production.
How to Participate: PAE Marine Corps frequently executes OTAs through Industry Consortia: managed groups of traditional and non-traditional contractors organized by technology domains (e.g., cyber, ordnance, communications). Small businesses must join the relevant consortium to view requirements and bid on these rapid OTA prototyping projects.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
The SBIR program is a highly competitive, awards-based initiative that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in critical Federal Research and Development (R&D). This three-phase funding pathway enables agile small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides a direct, financial incentive to profit from commercializing those solutions for both the warfighter and the private sector.
Because PAE Marine Corps is acquisition-driven, our SBIR topics are designed to solve real-world technical and operational challenges across Marine Corps domains.
To view current Marine Corps topics and learn how to participate, visit the official Department of the Navy SBIR Portal.
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
The STTR program expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation R&D arena by bridging the gap between basic science and commercialization. Central to the STTR program is the expansion of public/private sector partnerships, specifically requiring joint venture opportunities between small businesses and premier non-profit research institutions (such as universities or Federally Funded Research and Development Centers).
This allows small businesses to co-develop cutting-edge, high-risk technologies while retaining intellectual property rights to transition these capabilities directly to the warfighter.
To learn more about the unique joint-venture requirements and structure of this program, visit the SBA STTR Overview Page.
Government Advocacy & Policy Portals
• DoN Office of Small Business Programs: The Department of the Navy’s centralized hub for small business policies, LRAEs, and major buying command portals.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): The official federal agency dedicated to small business advocacy, training, and certification programs.
• Headquarters Marine Corps Installations and Logistics (HQMC I&L): The headquarters-level small business office for Marine Corps logistics, sustainment, and facility support contracts—a crucial resource for businesses focused on sustainment, infrastructure, and supply chain solution
Cybersecurity & Facility Clearances
• DoW Chief Information Officer (CIO) CMMC Portal: The authoritative source for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements, training, and official DoW cyber compliance guidance.
• NIST SP 800-171 Self-Assessment Guide (SPRS): Before securing a defense contract containing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), small businesses must upload their basic cybersecurity self-assessment scores to the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS).
• Project Spectrum: A DoW-supported, comprehensive platform that provides small businesses with free cybersecurity information, training courses, and readiness assessments to help achieve CMMC and NIST SP 800-171 compliance.
• DCSA Facility Clearances (FCL) & Entity Vetting: The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) portal explaining the requirements, processes, and sponsorship needed for a company to obtain a Facility Security Clearance (FCL).
Subcontracting & Industry Partnerships
• DoW Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP): The official portal to learn how to establish formal, mutually beneficial partnerships between established prime contractors and small business protégés to enhance technical and business capabilities.
• SBA Subcontracting Network (SUB-Net): The central federal database where prime contractors post active, immediate subcontracting opportunities and solicitation notices.
• National APEX Accelerator Alliance: The central network connecting small businesses with local APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs) for free, hands-on procurement training and proposal assistance.