OASIS+ Research & Development Readiness
If you’re evaluating OASIS+ research & development Readiness, start with three fundamentals:
• Scope fit: your work aligns with R&D service scope (technical research, experimentation, non-routine test & evaluation, lab/clinical research, and related R&D support).
• NAICS/PSC mapping: your strongest contracts map cleanly to auto-relevant R&D codes or clearly show relevance via the scope of work.
• Defensible score: your documentation supports each claimed point (projects, values, dates, ratings, and required forms).
What Is OASIS+ Research & Development Readiness?
OASIS+ research & development Readiness means you can identify up to five qualifying projects that are relevant to the R&D domain, meet the minimum thresholds (value, timing, and allowable contract types), and can be substantiated with the required supporting documentation—so your self-score is both competitive and compliant.
It’s confirming scope fit, eligibility thresholds, score optimization potential, and documentation completeness before you submit.
Want a fast go/no-go for OASIS+ research & development Readiness? Start with the Eligibility Assessment Service.
People Also Ask
- What services fall under the OASIS+ research & development (R&D) domain?
- Which NAICS codes are commonly used for R&D domain relevance?
- Which PSC families are considered auto-relevant for R&D classification?
- What qualifies as an acceptable qualifying project for R&D self-scoring?
- What are the minimum score thresholds for Small Business and Unrestricted in R&D?
For the official program overview, see GSA OASIS+.
30-Second Fit Check For OASIS+ Research & Development Readiness
If you can document 2+ items below with real past performance, you likely have domain scope fit. Next: validate eligibility thresholds and scoring strength.
- Laboratory and/or clinical research support
- Physical, mathematical, life science, or social science research services
- Experimental development, product experimentation, or non-routine test & evaluation
- Prototype, model, or preproduction design/build/test activities
- Biotech, genomics, assays/testing method development, or regulated compliance testing
- Decision support sciences, special studies, analysis, and technical research consulting
- Technology transfer/insertion support, advanced training, and R&D process improvement
- Software development tied to experimental product/process improvement (R&D-driven)
If you want a quick fit confirmation plus a scoring gap check, book a Free OASIS+ Phase II Consultation.
Are You A Strong Candidate For This Domain?
You’re typically a strong candidate for OASIS+ research & development Readiness if you can select up to five qualifying projects that: (1) are clearly R&D-relevant, (2) meet minimum annual value thresholds, (3) fall within the allowable time window, and (4) have above-satisfactory past performance where required.
Score Risk: What Usually Breaks Submissions
R&D is score-driven, but avoid “points-first” decisions that create elimination risk. Common issues include:
- Projects that sound technical but don’t demonstrate R&D relevance via NAICS/PSC or a clear scope-of-work tie
- Annual value calculations that don’t follow the required method (ongoing vs. completed)
- Projects outside timing rules (e.g., insufficient performance completed for ongoing work or too old if completed)
- Past performance that averages to “Satisfactory” or below where “above satisfactory” is required
- Using disallowed agreement types for QPs (or missing key substantiation elements in the required forms)
- Compliance checklist gaps (missing items, form mismatches, or unverified assumptions)
What The Research & Development (R&D) Domain Covers
Practical scope areas commonly aligned to this domain:
- Laboratory and clinical research; life, physical, and mathematical science research
- Experimental development, technical research consulting, special studies, and analysis
- Design/specification development; prototype/model design, construction, and testing
- Biotech research and process development; genomics and sequencing; assays/testing methods
- Non-routine test & evaluation services and regulatory compliance testing
- Technology transfer/insertion; R&D-related training and facilitation
- R&D of automated processes/robotics; R&D-driven software development tied to experimental improvements
OASIS+ Research & Development NAICS (Codes Only)
541330, 541330 (Exception 1), 541330 (Exception 2), 541330 (Exception 3), 541380, 541611, 541690, 541713, 541714, 541715, 541715 (Exception 1), 541715 (Exception 2), 541715 (Exception 3), 541720, 541990, 621511
Auto-Relevant PSC (Codes Only)
AAxx, ABxx, ACxx, ADxx, AGxx, AJxx, ALxx, ANxx, APxx, AQxx, ARxx, ASxx, ATxx, AVxx, AZxx
Need help mapping your contracts to codes and relevance for OASIS+ research & development Readiness? Start with the Eligibility Assessment Service.
How The Eligibility Assessment Works
Start The Assessment
Share basic company and contract information to establish R&D domain fit and eligibility.
Score & Gap Review
Identify which contracts maximize points and where your score is short (then build cushion).
Next-Step Plan
Get a go/no-go recommendation and a practical plan for optimization and compliance.
Scoring Snapshot (Research & Development)
- Maximum score: 50 (SB and UNR)
- Minimum qualification score: 36 (SB) and 42 (UNR)
- Main score factors: Qualifying Projects (QPs), Federal Experience Projects (FEPs), Systems/Clearances/Certifications
Qualifying Projects (QPs): What You Must Validate First
You can use up to five qualifying projects. Each project is typically validated and scored across relevance, scale, management & staffing, and past performance—then backed up with defensible documentation.
- Allowable contract sources: Federal prime, federal subcontract, or commercial projects may be used.
- Services requirement: Projects must be services (not supplies).
- Contract types note: OTAs may be allowable; grants and cooperative agreements are not acceptable for QPs.
- Minimum annual value: $1M (SB) and $1.25M (UNR).
- Timing: Ongoing projects must have at least six months of completed performance; completed projects must be within five years.
- Past performance: Must be above satisfactory based on the average of subfactors (e.g., CPARS/J.P-6).
Score Optimization: Practical Rules Of Thumb
- Profile each contract and estimate the points it can contribute, then select the best five QPs.
- Build a per-contract score table and run a gap analysis before you commit to submission.
- Focus most optimization effort on QPs (they drive the majority of score).
- Plan for cushion points—don’t target the minimum threshold; target several points above it.
- If you’re below threshold (or lack cushion), explore teaming options early.
What You Get For OASIS+ Research & Development Readiness
- A clear go/no-go recommendation based on eligibility thresholds, score strength, and defensibility
- Guidance on selecting the best five qualifying projects to maximize your R&D score
- Gap identification for relevance, value thresholds, timing, and past performance ratings
- Compliance-focused reminders (checklist discipline and multi-round reviews)
- Partnering considerations if you need cushion points above the qualification threshold
Compliance Habits That Prevent Elimination
- Read the RFP and all Q&As thoroughly (multiple passes).
- Create and maintain a reliable compliance checklist.
- Run at least two rounds of compliance checks after scoring is complete.
- Check every item against the submission instructions (assume something was missed and verify).
- Use a third-party review for scoring and document completeness when possible.
- Build cushion points above the minimum (a few points above 36/42 reduces risk).
Pricing Notes (High Level)
- Pricing forms/information are mandatory for submission.
- Pricing is typically evaluated as acceptable/non-acceptable (no points attached).
- Ceiling rates may apply to certain task-order types; other work is priced at the task-order level.
- Ceiling rates typically exclude additions such as clearance/OCONUS adjustments.
Partnering When You Need Cushion Points
- If you are not several points above the threshold, consider partnering to add cushion.
- JVs, Mentor-Protégé JVs, and prime/sub relationships may be used where allowable.
- Partners’ contracts can support both QPs and FEPs (a large share of total score).
- For SB submissions, ensure subcontractors meet applicable small-business requirements for the domain.
Looking for partners? Use the Partnering Hub.
FAQ
What is OASIS+ Research & Development Readiness?
It means you can select up to five qualifying, R&D-relevant projects that meet minimum thresholds and can be substantiated with required documentation, with NAICS/PSC alignment and defensible scoring.
What are the minimum qualification score thresholds for the R&D domain?
Minimum qualification thresholds are 36 for Small Business and 42 for Unrestricted. Many teams plan for cushion points above the minimum to reduce elimination risk.
What annual value do qualifying projects typically need to meet in R&D?
Qualifying projects typically must meet minimum annual value thresholds of $1M (Small Business) and $1.25M (Unrestricted), calculated using the required method for ongoing versus completed work.
How do we show R&D relevance if we’re not auto-relevant?
Use a clear scope-of-work tie to R&D activities and ensure your documentation supports the R&D nature of the effort. Auto-relevant NAICS/PSC mapping is helpful, but relevance still needs to be defensible in the substantiation.
When should we consider partnering for the R&D domain?
Consider partnering if you are below the threshold or do not have cushion points above the minimum. Partners can help strengthen qualifying projects and federal experience projects to improve score and reduce risk.
Ready to move? Start the Eligibility Assessment Service | Have more questions? book a Free Consultation.
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Use the form in the sidebar to request a free consultation. If you prefer to start with a defensible score and a clear gap plan, start with the eligibility assessment link above.
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If your goal is OASIS+ research & development Readiness with a defensible decision (probable score + gap list), start the eligibility assessment.