Award Notice and Redacted J&A: 5G Network Testbed Expansion (Contract N0017323P2046, Modification P00005)

This contract action, identified as Modification P00005 to Contract N0017323P2046, was awarded on a sole-source basis to AT&T Corp under FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services. The rationale for non-competitive award rests on AT&T's exclusive possession of proprietary data rights, software access, and highly specialized engineering knowledge necessary to integrate Government-Furnished Nokia 5G Radio Access Network components—specifically a RAN site and RAN Intelligent Controller—into the existing AT&T-designed 5G network testbed at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. Any other contractor would lack the foundational system understanding required to perform the integration without causing unacceptable delays, technical risks, or duplication of costs estimated at up to $1.5 million. The modification is structured as a Firm-Fixed-Price contract requiring AT&T to supply four 5G NR FR2 devices and ensure seamless, non-disruptive interoperability with the existing testbed, while providing a one-year factory warranty for all newly delivered equipment. Performance is to commence within six weeks of award, with acceptance occurring at the Navy's Washington, DC facility, and the work is funded under FY25 RDT&E with agency code N00173. The only referenced contractual support is an ongoing $1 million, three-year software maintenance agreement with AT&T extending through February 2028, which further justifies the continuation of exclusive vendor relationships. No competitive evaluation factors, formal contract clauses from FAR Part 52, packaging or marking requirements, invoicing instructions, or detailed pricing data are included in the documentation, nor are any subcontracting, socioeconomic, or security clearance provisions specified. The absence of a competitive process means no offeror representations, certifications, or evaluations were performed, and the award is based entirely on the uniqueness of AT&T’s incumbent capabilities and prior government-funded system development.