DoD's $7.8M SD-WAN Pilot with Iron Bow Technologies aims to test SRv6 capabilities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,798,904 ($7.8M)

Contractor: Iron BOW Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-08-27

End Date: 2026-08-26

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THIS EFFORT IS A PILOT PROGRAM TO DEMONSTRATE THE CAPABILITIES, TEST, AND EVALUATE A SOFTWARE DEFINED WIDE AREA NETWORK (SD-WAN) WITH A SEGMENT ROUTING IPV6 (SRV6) UNDERLAY NETWORK

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $7.8 million to IRON BOW TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: THIS EFFORT IS A PILOT PROGRAM TO DEMONSTRATE THE CAPABILITIES, TEST, AND EVALUATE A SOFTWARE DEFINED WIDE AREA NETWORK (SD-WAN) WITH A SEGMENT ROUTING IPV6 (SRV6) UNDERLAY NETWORK Key points: 1. The pilot program focuses on demonstrating and evaluating Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) capabilities using Segment Routing IPv6 (SRv6). 2. This contract represents a strategic investment in modernizing network infrastructure for potential future scalability and efficiency. 3. The use of SRv6 suggests an effort to leverage advanced networking protocols for improved traffic management and security. 4. The definitive contract type indicates a clear scope and pricing structure for the duration of the pilot. 5. The pilot's success could inform broader adoption of SD-WAN technologies within the Department of Defense. 6. The contract duration of approximately two years allows for thorough testing and evaluation of the technology.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7.8 million for a two-year pilot program to test SD-WAN with SRv6 appears reasonable given the complexity and novelty of the technology being evaluated. Benchmarking against similar pilot programs for advanced networking solutions is challenging due to the specific focus on SRv6. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. The value is assessed in the context of research and development for future network modernization.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for SD-WAN solutions. This approach is expected to drive competitive pricing and encourage innovation from participating companies.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring the government receives the best possible value through a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to lower costs and higher quality solutions.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from testing and evaluating advanced networking technologies to enhance its communication infrastructure. The pilot will deliver insights into the performance, security, and scalability of SD-WAN with SRv6. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Defense's operational environments, with potential for wider application across federal agencies. Workforce implications may include training and upskilling for personnel managing and operating the new network technologies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The novelty of SRv6 within a large-scale DoD pilot may present integration challenges with existing legacy systems.
Dependence on a single vendor for the pilot's core technology could pose risks if not managed carefully.
The effectiveness of the pilot in demonstrating real-world benefits will be crucial for future investment decisions.

Positive Signals

The use of a pilot program allows for controlled testing and risk mitigation before widespread deployment.
The selection of a mature technology like SD-WAN, combined with an emerging protocol like SRv6, suggests a balanced approach to innovation.
The firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability for this R&D effort.

Sector Analysis

The market for Software Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) solutions is rapidly growing, driven by the need for more agile, cost-effective, and secure network management. This contract fits within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on network infrastructure modernization. The Department of Defense is a significant consumer of such technologies, seeking to improve command and control capabilities and operational efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to pinpoint for pilots of this specific technological combination (SD-WAN with SRv6), but the overall IT modernization spending within the DoD is substantial.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract includes specific small business set-asides. The focus appears to be on acquiring advanced technological capabilities, which may favor larger, established technology providers. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses could arise if Iron Bow Technologies engages them for specific components or services, but this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem will depend on the subcontracting strategy employed by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded within the contract's performance requirements and deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award notices and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

DoD Network Modernization Programs
Software Defined Networking Initiatives
Next-Generation Network Infrastructure Projects
Information Technology Research and Development

Risk Flags

Novel Technology Integration Risk
Interoperability with Legacy Systems
Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities of New Protocols
Workforce Skill Gap for Advanced Networking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $7.8 million to IRON BOW TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. THIS EFFORT IS A PILOT PROGRAM TO DEMONSTRATE THE CAPABILITIES, TEST, AND EVALUATE A SOFTWARE DEFINED WIDE AREA NETWORK (SD-WAN) WITH A SEGMENT ROUTING IPV6 (SRV6) UNDERLAY NETWORK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IRON BOW TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-27. End: 2026-08-26.

What is the specific technical objective of testing Segment Routing IPv6 (SRv6) within an SD-WAN framework for the Department of Defense?

The primary technical objective of testing SRv6 within an SD-WAN framework is to leverage its advanced capabilities for more efficient and flexible network traffic management. SRv6, as an IPv6-based source routing protocol, allows for explicit path control directly within the packet header, simplifying network core design and enabling granular traffic engineering. For the DoD, this could translate into improved performance for critical applications, enhanced security through policy enforcement at the network edge, and greater agility in adapting network configurations to evolving operational demands. The pilot aims to validate these potential benefits in a controlled environment, assessing its compatibility with existing DoD network architectures and its overall contribution to network resilience and modernization.

How does this pilot program compare to other recent DoD investments in network infrastructure modernization?

This pilot program represents a specific, forward-looking investment within the broader DoD strategy for network modernization. While the DoD invests heavily in upgrading its communication networks, this particular effort stands out due to its focus on the integration of SD-WAN with the SRv6 underlay. Many modernization efforts focus on broader themes like cloud migration, cybersecurity enhancements, or tactical network improvements. This contract, however, targets a more specialized area of network architecture innovation. Its value of $7.8 million is modest in the context of overall DoD IT spending, suggesting it's a focused testbed rather than a large-scale deployment. The success of this pilot could influence future, larger investments in similar advanced networking protocols across various DoD branches.

What are the potential risks associated with implementing a new technology like SRv6 in a pilot program for the Department of Defense?

Several potential risks are associated with implementing a new technology like SRv6 in a DoD pilot. Firstly, interoperability challenges are a significant concern; SRv6 needs to function seamlessly with existing DoD network infrastructure, which often comprises a complex mix of legacy and modern systems. Ensuring compatibility and avoiding disruptions to ongoing operations is critical. Secondly, the security implications of a novel routing protocol require thorough vetting. While SRv6 offers potential security benefits, its implementation must be rigorously tested against advanced threat vectors to prevent new vulnerabilities. Thirdly, the availability of skilled personnel to manage and troubleshoot SRv6 networks might be limited, necessitating specialized training. Finally, the scalability of SRv6 beyond the pilot phase needs careful consideration; demonstrating its effectiveness in a limited scope is different from proving its viability for the entire DoD network.

What performance metrics will likely be used to evaluate the success of this SD-WAN SRv6 pilot program?

The success of this SD-WAN SRv6 pilot program will likely be evaluated using a combination of technical and operational performance metrics. Key technical metrics could include network latency and jitter reduction for critical applications, increased bandwidth utilization efficiency, and improved Quality of Service (QoS) enforcement. Security-related metrics might focus on the effectiveness of policy enforcement, the reduction of potential attack surfaces, and the system's resilience against network disruptions. Operationally, metrics could assess the ease of network configuration and management, the speed of service deployment, and the overall reliability and uptime of the network under various load conditions. The pilot's ability to demonstrate cost savings or operational efficiencies compared to traditional networking approaches would also be a crucial evaluation factor.

What is Iron Bow Technologies' track record with similar large-scale networking or pilot programs for federal agencies?

Iron Bow Technologies has a significant track record of providing IT solutions and services to federal agencies, including the Department of Defense. While specific details on their experience with SD-WAN pilots integrating SRv6 are not immediately available from the provided data, the company is known for its expertise in network infrastructure, cybersecurity, and unified communications. They have held numerous contracts with various government entities, often involving complex network deployments and technology integration. Their ability to secure this full and open competition contract suggests they possess the requisite technical capabilities and past performance credentials deemed necessary by the Air Force for such an advanced networking initiative. Further investigation into their contract history would reveal the scale and scope of their prior relevant work.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: FA700023SC001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2121 COOPERATIVE WAY STE 500, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,702,181

Exercised Options: $7,798,904

Current Obligation: $7,798,904

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline