Linquest Corporation awarded $40.5M for analytical support services by GSA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,521,448 ($40.5M)

Contractor: Linquest Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2021-09-03

End Date: 2026-09-02

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: COPE TO 2 AETC DEVELOPMENTANALYTICAL SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $40.5 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION for work described as: COPE TO 2 AETC DEVELOPMENTANALYTICAL SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a time and materials basis, which can pose cost control challenges. 2. The contract's duration of 5 years suggests a long-term need for these services. 3. Services are categorized under R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 4. The award was not competitively procured, raising questions about potential cost savings. 5. Geographic location of the contractor is Ohio.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's value of $40.5 million over five years for analytical support services requires careful benchmarking. As a time and materials contract without a stated ceiling, there is inherent risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently. Without specific performance metrics or comparison data for similar analytical support contracts, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the lack of competition suggests potential for higher-than-market pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor possesses the unique capabilities or qualifications required for the service. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to achieve the best possible pricing and terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to drive down prices. This necessitates robust oversight to ensure fair pricing.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely government agencies requiring specialized analytical support in research and development. Services delivered will focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences research. The geographic impact is centered in Ohio, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for analysts and researchers within Linquest Corporation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and materials contract type increases risk of cost escalation without strong oversight.
Sole-source award limits competitive pricing advantages for the government.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a single entity suggests specialized expertise.
Long-term contract (5 years) indicates a sustained need and potential for stable service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for government innovation and advancement. The market for such analytical support services is competitive, but often requires highly specialized firms. Benchmarking spending in this area is complex due to the bespoke nature of R&D services, but GSA's role suggests a need for broad analytical capabilities across various scientific disciplines.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any small business set-aside provisions. Furthermore, there is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. This suggests that small businesses may not be directly benefiting from this specific award, and their participation would depend on Linquest Corporation's subcontracting strategy.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a sole-source award, transparency and accountability are crucial. Robust contract management and performance monitoring by GSA are essential to ensure the contractor delivers services as specified and that costs remain within reasonable bounds, especially given the time and materials nature of the award.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development Contracts
Analytical Services
General Services Administration Contracts
Time and Materials Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Time and materials contract type poses cost control risks.
Lack of detailed performance metrics hinders value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $40.5 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION. COPE TO 2 AETC DEVELOPMENTANALYTICAL SUPPORT

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 $40.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-03. End: 2026-09-02.

What is Linquest Corporation's track record with government contracts, particularly with GSA?

Information regarding Linquest Corporation's specific track record with government contracts, especially with the General Services Administration (GSA), is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing contract databases like FPDS-NG to examine past performance, award history, and any reported issues or successes. Understanding their history with similar analytical support or R&D contracts would provide valuable context for assessing their capability and reliability in fulfilling this current award.

How does the $40.5 million value compare to similar analytical support contracts awarded by GSA or other agencies?

Benchmarking the $40.5 million value requires comparing it against similar analytical support contracts within the R&D sector (NAICS 541715). Without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts, it's challenging to make a precise comparison. However, for a five-year duration, this value suggests a significant scope of work. The sole-source nature of this award means direct price comparison is difficult, but it implies that the government may not have achieved the potential cost savings that could arise from a competitive bidding process.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source, time-and-materials contract for analytical support?

The primary risks associated with this contract are twofold: the sole-source nature and the time-and-materials (T&M) pricing structure. Sole-sourcing limits competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher prices than if the contract were competed. The T&M structure, while offering flexibility, carries a risk of cost escalation if not closely monitored, as the final cost is directly tied to the hours worked and materials used. Effective oversight, clear task definitions, and diligent performance management are critical to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayer money.

How will the effectiveness of the analytical support services be measured and ensured?

The provided data does not specify the metrics or mechanisms for measuring the effectiveness of the analytical support services. Typically, government contracts include performance work statements (PWS) with clearly defined deliverables, service levels, and key performance indicators (KPIs). The effectiveness would likely be assessed through regular reviews, acceptance of deliverables, and potentially through user feedback from the agencies receiving the support. The contracting officer's representative (COR) plays a crucial role in monitoring performance and ensuring the contractor meets the contract's objectives.

What is the historical spending pattern for analytical support services under GSA's Federal Acquisition Service?

Historical spending patterns for analytical support services under GSA's Federal Acquisition Service are not detailed in the provided data. To ascertain this, one would need to analyze historical contract awards within the relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 541715) managed by GSA over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the prevalence of competitive versus sole-source awards, providing context for the current $40.5 million contract.

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: 47QFLA21Q0365

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2551 DULLES VIEW DR STE 200, HERNDON, VA, 20171

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,728,263

Exercised Options: $44,553,356

Current Obligation: $40,521,448

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 20

Total Subaward Amount: $4,692,670

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA20D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline