Contract Net Protocol is an open-source Java framework that allows autonomous agents to issue calls for proposals, submit bids, evaluate offers, and assign tasks dynamically. It streamlines distributed task negotiation and allocation through standard messaging patterns, making it ideal for multi-agent simulations and real-world resource scheduling applications.
Contract Net Protocol is an open-source Java framework that allows autonomous agents to issue calls for proposals, submit bids, evaluate offers, and assign tasks dynamically. It streamlines distributed task negotiation and allocation through standard messaging patterns, making it ideal for multi-agent simulations and real-world resource scheduling applications.
The Contract Net Protocol repository provides a full Java implementation of the FIPA Contract Net interaction protocol. Developers can create manager and contractor agents that exchange CFP (Call For Proposal), proposals, acceptances, and rejections over agent communication channels. The code includes core modules for broadcasting tasks, collecting bids, evaluating proposals based on customizable criteria, awarding contracts, and monitoring execution status. It can be integrated into larger multi-agent frameworks or used as a standalone library for research simulations, industrial scheduling, or robotic coordination.
Who will use Contract Net Protocol?
Multi-agent system researchers
AI developers
Academic instructors and students
Robotics engineers
Resource scheduling practitioners
How to use the Contract Net Protocol?
Step1: Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/Sina-Baharlou/Contract-Net-Protocol.git
Step2: Import the Java project into your IDE or build with Maven/Gradle
Step3: Configure agent settings and message channels in config files
Step4: Implement manager and contractor agent classes extending the framework base
Step5: Run the simulation or integrate into your application and monitor negotiation logs
Platform
Linux
Mac
Windows
Contract Net Protocol's Core Features & Benefits
The Core Features
Call For Proposal (CFP) broadcasting
Bid submission and collection
Proposal evaluation based on custom criteria
Dynamic task assignment and contract award
Agent communication via FIPA ACL messages
The Benefits
Standardized multi-agent negotiation patterns
Improved resource utilization through dynamic allocation
Scalable architecture for large agent populations
Open-source and extensible codebase
Contract Net Protocol's Main Use Cases & Applications