Tech7 Secures Monumental $489M Contract to Revolutionize Commercial Tech Integration for National Security and Economic Growth

In a landmark development set to redefine how cutting-edge commercial technologies are brought into critical government sectors, Tech7 has proudly announced its award of the $489 million TRACE 2.0 SBIR Phase III IDIQ Contract. This momentous agreement, administered by AFWERX Autonomy Prime—a key program under the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)—is poised to dramatically accelerate the integration of advanced commercial innovations across the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and Commerce.

The Technology Readiness and Commercialization (TRACE) program is no stranger to success.

Its predecessor, TRACE 1.0, impressively bridged the chasm between promising emerging technologies and their operational deployment. Through TRACE 1.0, Tech7 successfully integrated a myriad of groundbreaking solutions, including artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), advanced autonomy, and quantum technologies, demonstrating a proven track record of bringing private sector ingenuity to bear on public sector challenges.

TRACE 2.0 builds upon this foundation, aiming for even greater impact and broader reach.

Dr. George Barnych, CEO of Tech7, expressed his profound enthusiasm for the contract, stating, “The TRACE 2.0 award is a game-changer. It represents a significant step forward in our mission to bring the best of commercial innovation to the defense, homeland security, and commerce sectors.

This contract will enable us to continue our work in a much larger and more impactful way, ensuring that our nation's most critical missions are supported by the most advanced and agile technologies available.”

The strategic goals of TRACE 2.0 are multifaceted and ambitious. It seeks to drastically reduce the time and cost associated with acquiring new technologies, ensuring that critical solutions can be deployed rapidly.

By leveraging private capital and fostering deeper collaboration between commercial innovators and government agencies, the program aims to bridge the infamous “Valley of Death”—the challenging phase where promising startups often falter due to lack of funding or market access. This initiative is crucial for nurturing a vibrant ecosystem where innovation thrives and transitions seamlessly from laboratory to operational reality.

Key figures within the AFRL and AFWERX community have also lauded the significance of this contract.

Colonel Elliott, representing AFRL/AFWERX Autonomy Prime, highlighted the strategic imperative: “TRACE 2.0 is a testament to our commitment to accelerating the adoption of commercial technology. This contract will allow us to move faster, be more agile, and ultimately ensure our warfighters and national security professionals have access to the best tools on the planet.” Colonel Eric “Doc” Lopez of AFRL/RYP and Kristen Brooks, Program Manager for AFRL, further emphasized the collaborative spirit and the immense potential of this program to foster a robust pipeline of technological advancements.

With this landmark $489 million contract, Tech7 is set to solidify its position at the forefront of defense and commercial technology integration.

TRACE 2.0 is poised not only to bolster national security through the rapid deployment of cutting-edge capabilities but also to stimulate economic growth by empowering innovative companies and creating new opportunities within the thriving technology sector. It marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to merge the agility of commercial innovation with the critical needs of national defense and economic development.