Robotic Research Opco, LLC

Robotic Research Opco, LLC, operating under the business name Forterra, is a for-profit limited liability company and manufacturer of goods headquartered in Clarksburg, Maryland. The company specializes in autonomous vehicle systems, robotic solutions, and artificial intelligence technologies designed primarily for defense and logistics applications. Forterra has established itself as a key innovator in the defense robotics sector, with a substantial federal contracting portfolio that demonstrates consistent success in securing awards from multiple defense agencies. The company's core competencies encompass ground vehicle autonomy, unmanned systems development, modular software solutions for robotic platforms, and advanced AI capabilities for military modernization objectives.

Forterra's federal contract history reflects a diverse range of advanced technology development and delivery across multiple defense agencies. The company has served as a prime contractor on significant awards including a $26.2 million Other Transaction Agreement for the Ground Expeditionary Autonomy Retrofit Systems (GEARS) program from the Army's Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support, a $5.5 million Other Transaction Agreement from the Office of the Secretary of Defense for artificial intelligence prototypes supporting small unit maneuver, a $2.1 million Department of Homeland Security contract for remote rescue tools, and a $1.69 million Army SBIR Phase II award for autonomous systems development. The company has also received multiple SBIR Phase I and Phase II awards from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, U.S. Special Operations Command, and the Defense Logistics Agency, with contract values ranging from approximately $100,000 to $950,000, focused on developing transformable robots capable of driving and flying, ruggedized LIDAR solutions, and autonomous small multipurpose equipment transport vehicles. As a designated small business, Forterra has secured numerous total small business set-aside contracts totaling millions in cumulative value. Additionally, Forterra functions as a subcontractor to Oshkosh Defense LLC on an extensive series of electrical and professional services task orders beginning in late 2022 through 2025, reflecting collaborative work on vehicle integration and systems development. The company has also performed as a subcontractor to DCS Corporation and Asrc Federal Professional Services on engineering and program management activities.

Forterra holds two active Other Transaction Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (OT IDV) vehicles with significant ceiling values and strategic importance. The most recently awarded IDV, issued on March 4, 2025, by Army European Command carries a ceiling value of $114.9 million and encompasses the development and delivery of robotic breaching systems, leveraging the company's core competencies in autonomous systems and artificial intelligence. This non-set-aside contract provides the Army with flexible procurement authority for advanced breaching technologies supporting tactical and operational applications in the European theater. The second OT IDV, awarded April 20, 2023, by the U.S. Air Force with a $25.67 million ceiling, focuses on the development and delivery of autonomous vehicle systems and modular software solutions for ground-based robotic combat vehicle platforms. This contract emphasizes enhancement of autonomous capabilities across varied terrain environments and operational scenarios, designed to accelerate research collaboration and enable rapid integration of cutting-edge autonomous technologies into existing and future ground vehicle platforms. Both IDVs operate under 10 United States Code Section 2371b authority, representing alternative contracting procedures intended to encourage innovation and accelerate development cycles for advanced autonomous defense technologies. The substantial ceiling values and strategic focus on autonomous ground systems reflect the significant role Forterra plays in supporting military modernization objectives across multiple service branches and geographic commands.

Expertise

Autonomous ground vehicles

Control systems

Obstacle avoidance

Path planning

Moving obstacle detection

LADAR

Leader follower operations

Intelligent architecture

Customers:

GDRS

ARL

TARDEC

TACOM

DARPA

AFOSR