The Challenge

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) was seeking a prototype subminiature RF signal processing payload subsystem for integration into a maritime system of expendable unmanned systems. This system needs to be flexible to handle an array of RF signals using a limited set of hardware. ONR needed a wideband transceiver that could be reprogrammed and reconfigured as needed.

ONR needed a flexible solution that would allow for solution modifications without any stoppages in work. Since Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)-based contracting does not allow modifications to agreements, ONR needed a non-traditional solution.

The Solution

ONR selected the Strategic and Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S²MARTS) Other Transaction Authority (OTA) to construct a custom, modifiable contract. The contract was comprised of four phases, with a down-selection at each phase.

Multiplying DoD Deliverables with a Storefront Model

During a pre-production test phase, Epiq Design Solutions’ designs generated interest in other Government offices with similar needs. Recognizing the value of the solution, various offices requested “off-the-shelf” orders for the Neptune test assets. Though only one “delivery” was contracted under Neptune, the S²MARTS team was able to make modifications to the original OT agreement and fulfill custom, made-to-order requests. To date, 11 additional batches of custom builds were created for “off-the-shelf” requests.

The S²MARTS team successfully established a storefront model for the Neptune test assets, making them readily available to any Government offices that could benefit. The OTA enhanced Government efficiency by eliminating the wasted time and effort of setting up new agreements. This was possible thanks to the flexibility of OTAs, which allow multiple modifications to be made to the agreement with no pauses or stoppages in work. By facilitating open communication, S²MARTS was able to fulfill custom orders by request.