DOI Awards $1.98M for Open Source 5G Networking R&D to A2 Labs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,975,428 ($2.0M)

Contractor: A2 Labs, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-07-01

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 548 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SEQUENTIAL PHASE II - O-SENSE: OPEN SOURCE ENHANCED 5G NETWORKING SOLUTIONS ECOSYSTEM

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.0 million to A2 LABS, LLC for work described as: SEQUENTIAL PHASE II - O-SENSE: OPEN SOURCE ENHANCED 5G NETWORKING SOLUTIONS ECOSYSTEM Key points: 1. Focus on R&D for advanced 5G networking solutions. 2. A2 Labs, LLC is the contractor. 3. Contract type is a Definitive Contract with Firm Fixed Price. 4. Competition was Full and Open after exclusion of sources.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.98M for a 548-day duration appears reasonable for specialized R&D in a rapidly evolving field like 5G networking. Benchmarking against similar advanced technology R&D contracts would provide further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' indicating a competitive process was initiated, but specific sources may have been excluded based on criteria. This method aims for fair pricing while potentially focusing on specialized capabilities.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being invested in research and development that could lead to enhanced national security and technological advancement in 5G infrastructure.

Public Impact

Enhances national capabilities in secure 5G communication. Supports innovation in open-source networking technologies. Potential for future commercialization and economic growth. Invests in critical infrastructure research for national security.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
Dependence on a single contractor for specialized R&D.

Positive Signals

Focus on open-source solutions promotes collaboration and reduces vendor lock-in.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Investment in a critical emerging technology area.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and driving innovation, with significant government investment directed towards defense and infrastructure modernization.

Small Business Impact

The contract data does not indicate any specific set-asides or participation goals for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the subcontracting opportunities or if the prime contractor is a small business.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Definitive Contract, suggesting it is a standard agreement. Oversight will likely involve monitoring project milestones, deliverables, and adherence to the Firm Fixed Price terms to ensure accountability and effective use of funds.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Department of the Interior Contracting
Departmental Offices Programs

Risk Flags

R&D projects can be inherently uncertain, with outcomes not guaranteed.
Reliance on a single contractor for specialized research.
The 'Exclusion of Sources' aspect warrants understanding the rationale.
Rapid technological evolution in 5G could make findings obsolete quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.0 million to A2 LABS, LLC. SEQUENTIAL PHASE II - O-SENSE: OPEN SOURCE ENHANCED 5G NETWORKING SOLUTIONS ECOSYSTEM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is A2 LABS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-01. End: 2025-12-31.

What specific open-source technologies are being explored, and how do they compare to proprietary alternatives in terms of performance and security?

The specific open-source technologies are not detailed in the provided data. However, the project aims to enhance 5G networking solutions. Open-source alternatives often offer greater transparency, flexibility, and community-driven development, potentially leading to faster innovation and reduced long-term costs compared to proprietary systems, though security and performance benchmarks are critical for validation.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this R&D project, and how will success be measured?

Key performance indicators are not explicitly stated in the provided data. Typically, for R&D contracts, success is measured by the achievement of defined technical objectives, successful prototyping or demonstration of new capabilities, adherence to project timelines, and the quality of research outputs such as reports and findings. The government agency will likely define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.

What is the long-term strategy for integrating or leveraging the outcomes of this R&D into operational 5G networks?

The long-term strategy for integrating the R&D outcomes is not detailed. However, the 'Ecosystem' in the contract title suggests a goal of building a broader framework. Successful outcomes could inform future procurement decisions, influence standards development, or be directly incorporated into government communication infrastructure, potentially enhancing security, efficiency, and interoperability of 5G networks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HR0011SB20234-13

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8200 GREENSBORO DR STE 750, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,975,428

Exercised Options: $1,975,428

Current Obligation: $1,975,428

Actual Outlays: $1,975,428

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline