LINQUEST CORPORATION awarded $21.5M R&D contract by GSA for physical, engineering, and life sciences research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,513,689 ($21.5M)

Contractor: Linquest Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2021-01-11

End Date: 2026-01-10

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SBIR PHASE III DIDS IDIQ TASK ORDER 002 DART

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $21.5 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION for work described as: SBIR PHASE III DIDS IDIQ TASK ORDER 002 DART Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a time and materials basis, which can pose cost control challenges. 2. The contract is a task order under an existing IDIQ, suggesting a pre-vetted contractor. 3. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is a broad category, requiring specific performance metrics for evaluation. 4. The contract duration of 5 years allows for long-term project development but necessitates ongoing oversight. 5. Geographic location of the contractor in Ohio may indicate regional economic impact. 6. Lack of competition raises questions about potential overpricing and limited innovation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $21.5 million over five years for R&D services requires careful benchmarking against similar research projects. As a time and materials contract, the final cost is dependent on the hours worked and materials used, making it difficult to assess value for money without detailed cost breakdowns and performance metrics. Comparisons to other R&D contracts within the physical, engineering, and life sciences sectors would be necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive and if the government is receiving good value. The absence of a fixed price or ceiling could lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded under a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when urgency dictates a rapid award. The lack of competition means that LINQUEST CORPORATION was the only entity considered, which can limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed contract. The rationale for the sole-source award needs to be thoroughly documented to ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in taxpayers paying a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure to offer the lowest possible price. This also limits opportunities for other businesses to secure government contracts.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely research institutions and potentially the scientific community through advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Services delivered include research and development activities, contributing to technological innovation and scientific knowledge. The geographic impact is primarily centered in Ohio, where the contractor is located, potentially creating local jobs and economic activity. Workforce implications may include the employment of scientists, engineers, and research support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and materials contract type can lead to uncontrolled costs if not closely monitored.
Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potentially reduces value for money.
Broad R&D category requires clear performance metrics to ensure effective use of funds.
Long contract duration necessitates sustained oversight to ensure objectives are met.

Positive Signals

Task order under an existing IDIQ suggests contractor has prior vetting and established relationship.
Focus on R&D aligns with government's strategic goals for innovation and technological advancement.
Contract duration allows for in-depth research and development projects.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for government investment, driving innovation and technological progress. The market for R&D services is diverse, with many specialized firms. Benchmarking this contract's value would involve comparing it to similar R&D efforts funded by agencies like the Department of Defense, NSF, or NIH, considering the specific scientific disciplines and project scope. The total federal spending on R&D is substantial, and contracts like this represent a portion of that investment aimed at advancing scientific frontiers.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb: false'. The prime contractor, LINQUEST CORPORATION, is not explicitly identified as a small business. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through subcontracting opportunities is not guaranteed and would depend on LINQUEST's subcontracting plan. Without specific set-aside goals, the contract does not directly contribute to the government's small business utilization targets, though the prime contractor may still engage small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a time and materials contract, rigorous oversight of labor hours, material costs, and project milestones is crucial to ensure accountability and prevent cost overruns. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements from LINQUEST CORPORATION and potentially through GSA's internal contract management systems. The Inspector General's office for GSA would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this award.

Related Government Programs

SBIR Phase III
Research and Development Contracts
Physical Sciences Research
Engineering Research
Life Sciences Research
General Services Administration Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition, potentially increasing costs.
Time and materials contract type poses risk of cost overruns without strict oversight.
Broad R&D category requires clear performance metrics for effective evaluation.
Contractor's specific R&D experience and past performance need further investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $21.5 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION. SBIR PHASE III DIDS IDIQ TASK ORDER 002 DART

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LINQUEST CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-01-11. End: 2026-01-10.

What is LINQUEST CORPORATION's track record with government contracts, particularly R&D projects?

Information regarding LINQUEST CORPORATION's specific track record with government contracts, especially in R&D, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing contract databases like FPDS-NG to review past performance, contract values, agencies served, and any reported issues or awards. Understanding their history with similar R&D projects, their performance ratings on previous contracts, and their experience with time and materials (T&M) awards would be crucial for assessing their reliability and capability for this current $21.5 million contract. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge their proven ability to deliver successful R&D outcomes within budget and schedule.

How does the $21.5 million value compare to similar R&D contracts in the physical, engineering, and life sciences sectors?

The $21.5 million value for a 5-year R&D contract in the physical, engineering, and life sciences sector is a significant investment. To benchmark this value, one would need to compare it against contracts with similar scopes of work, research objectives, and durations awarded by agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), or Department of Defense (DoD) research arms. The 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)' category (NAICS 541715) is broad, so comparisons should ideally focus on specific sub-disciplines. A higher value relative to comparable projects might indicate potential overpricing or a more complex scope, while a lower value could suggest efficiency or a narrower focus. The time and materials nature of this contract also means the final cost could deviate from the initial estimate.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source, time and materials contract for R&D?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source, time and materials (T&M) contract for R&D are multifaceted. Firstly, the sole-source nature eliminates competitive pressure, potentially leading to inflated pricing and reduced incentive for the contractor to optimize costs. Taxpayers may not receive the best possible value. Secondly, the T&M structure means the government pays for actual labor hours and material costs incurred. Without stringent oversight and clearly defined ceilings or milestones, this can lead to cost overruns, as the final price is not fixed. Scope creep is also a significant risk, as it can be easier to justify additional hours and materials under a T&M contract. For R&D, where outcomes can be uncertain, managing these risks requires robust project management, detailed reporting, and proactive government oversight to ensure the research stays on track and within budget.

What specific performance metrics or deliverables are expected under this contract to ensure program effectiveness?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics or deliverables for this R&D contract. Effective oversight and assessment of program effectiveness would hinge on clearly defined objectives, milestones, and measurable outcomes. For R&D, these could include technical reports, prototypes, successful experimental results, publications, patent applications, or the development of new methodologies. The contract should outline how progress will be measured, the quality standards for deliverables, and the criteria for successful completion of research phases. Without such specifics, evaluating the program's effectiveness and LINQUEST CORPORATION's performance becomes subjective and challenging, potentially leading to misallocation of funds or failure to achieve intended research goals.

How does this contract align with the GSA's broader mission and strategic objectives in supporting federal agencies?

This contract aligns with the General Services Administration's (GSA) mission to provide federal agencies with efficient and effective solutions for their operational needs. By awarding this R&D contract, GSA is enabling advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences, which can have broad applications across various government sectors, potentially improving services, developing new technologies, or enhancing national capabilities. The contract supports GSA's role as a central procurement authority, leveraging its expertise to acquire specialized research services. The use of an IDIQ structure, under which this task order was issued, also reflects GSA's strategy to streamline procurement and provide pre-vetted solutions to agencies, thereby enhancing efficiency and potentially reducing costs through bulk purchasing power and established relationships.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA21Q0024

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5140 W GOLDLEAF CIR STE 400, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90056

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $41,638,963

Exercised Options: $41,607,963

Current Obligation: $21,513,689

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $971,060

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA20D0018

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline