The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), in collaboration with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), has announced plans to release a Request for Prototype Proposals (RPP) focused on Open Source Software (OSS) for 5G/6G Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) systems. This upcoming solicitation, managed by the National Spectrum Consortium (NSC) via its Spectrum Forward Other Transaction Authority (OTA), seeks to accelerate the development of open, secure, and interoperable Central Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU) components.
The RPP aims to contribute to a robust, end-to-end OSS ecosystem that can support future wireless networks across government, defense, enterprise, and research sectors. By emphasizing open source platforms, the initiative seeks to address longstanding challenges associated with proprietary systems—such as limited interoperability, vendor lock-in, and high costs—while aligning with recent policy guidance encouraging OSS adoption within federal agencies.
For the connectivity ecosystem, this move represents a significant commitment to shaping the foundations of future network infrastructure through open and collaborative means. A standardized, government-backed OSS reference implementation for Open RAN CU/DU software could pave the way for broader industry adoption and reduce fragmentation in the global 5G and emerging 6G space. 
The effort also supports the DoD’s mission-specific communications needs by promoting greater adaptability, security transparency, and vendor diversity—critical in an era where networks must be resilient against evolving threats and adaptable across varied operational environments.
The initiative aligns with strategic policy memos from the DoD CIO and OUSD(R&E) that promote public-private collaboration and the use of secure OSS. A virtual industry day is scheduled for May 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET, where interested parties can learn more and engage with the opportunity.
For registration and details, visit the NSC announcement page.
