GSA awards $14.8M engineering services task order to Linquest Corporation for DARPA support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,779,160 ($14.8M)

Contractor: Linquest Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-01-10

End Date: 2027-01-09

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IDEAAS TASK ORDER 04 DARPA SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $14.8 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION for work described as: IDEAAS TASK ORDER 04 DARPA SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting potential cost savings from competition. 2. Task order duration of 1095 days suggests a need for sustained engineering support. 3. Engineering services are critical for advanced research and development initiatives. 4. The contract type (Time and Materials) can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. 5. Virginia is a key hub for federal contracting, particularly in defense and technology sectors. 6. No small business set-aside indicates potential for larger prime contractors to benefit.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific task order is challenging without more detailed scope information. However, the $14.8 million award over three years for engineering support to DARPA suggests a significant investment. The Time and Materials contract type introduces inherent risk for cost control, as actual labor hours and material costs directly impact the final price. Without comparable sole-source awards for similar DARPA support, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing is competitive. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and the labor categories involved.

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 a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when urgency dictates a rapid award. The lack of competition means that taxpayers do not benefit from the price discovery mechanisms that typically occur in a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple offers had been solicited.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit the government's ability to secure the best possible price through competitive negotiation, potentially increasing the financial burden on taxpayers.

Public Impact

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will benefit from specialized engineering expertise. Services delivered will likely support advanced research and development projects critical to national security. The geographic impact is primarily centered in Virginia, a hub for defense and technology contractors. Workforce implications include the employment of skilled engineers and technical personnel by Linquest Corporation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type poses a risk of cost escalation without strict oversight.
Sole-source award limits competitive pressure, potentially impacting cost-effectiveness.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes outcome assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Award to an established contractor (Linquest Corporation) suggests a degree of reliability.
Task order supports DARPA, an agency known for high-impact, cutting-edge research.
Long duration indicates a sustained need for critical engineering services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, which is a vital component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector supports a wide range of government functions, particularly in defense, research, and infrastructure development. The market for engineering services supporting federal agencies is substantial, with significant spending allocated to R&D and specialized technical support. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for similar engineering support to defense agencies or research organizations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. This suggests that the prime contractor, Linquest Corporation, will likely perform the majority of the work. Consequently, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless Linquest proactively engages small businesses as subcontractors, which is not explicitly detailed in the provided information.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the purview of the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous monitoring of labor hours, rates, and material costs will be essential to ensure accountability and prevent cost overruns. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements from Linquest Corporation and potential reviews by GSA contracting officers. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

DARPA Research and Development Contracts
GSA Federal Acquisition Service Engineering Contracts
Time and Materials Contract Vehicles
Defense Engineering Support Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Time and Materials contract type carries cost overrun risk.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $14.8 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION. IDEAAS TASK ORDER 04 DARPA 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 $14.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-01-10. End: 2027-01-09.

What is Linquest Corporation's track record with federal contracts, particularly with DARPA or similar research agencies?

Linquest Corporation has a history of performing federal contracts, often in support of defense and aerospace initiatives. While specific details on their past performance with DARPA require deeper database searches, their presence in the federal contracting space suggests experience with government requirements. Analyzing their past contract awards, performance evaluations (if available), and any past performance issues would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and capability in delivering complex engineering services. Their ability to secure this sole-source award implies a level of trust or unique qualification recognized by the awarding agency.

How does the $14.8 million value compare to similar engineering support contracts for DARPA or other defense R&D entities?

Directly comparing the $14.8 million value is difficult without knowing the precise scope of work, duration, and specific labor categories involved. However, for specialized engineering support to advanced research agencies like DARPA, contract values can range significantly. Task orders supporting complex R&D can easily reach millions of dollars over several years. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable contracts for similar engineering services (e.g., systems engineering, technical analysis, program support) awarded to other defense R&D organizations or within the broader Department of Defense over the last 2-3 years, considering inflation and scope differences.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for engineering services, and how are they mitigated in this case?

The primary risk with T&M contracts is the potential for cost escalation, as the government pays for actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, plus a fixed fee or fixed hourly rates. This can lead to higher-than-anticipated costs if the project scope is not well-defined or if contractor efficiency is low. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust oversight, detailed monitoring of labor hours and expenses, clear definition of ceiling prices, and strong communication between the government and contractor. For this contract, effective management by GSA and DARPA contracting officers, along with Linquest's internal controls, would be crucial to manage these risks.

Given the sole-source nature, what assurance is there that the engineering services provided will be effective and meet DARPA's advanced research objectives?

Assurance of effectiveness in a sole-source award relies heavily on the pre-existing relationship, contractor's demonstrated capabilities, and the agency's due diligence in justifying the sole-source award. DARPA likely selected Linquest based on prior performance, unique expertise, or specific knowledge of DARPA's programs. The effectiveness will ultimately be measured against the technical requirements and milestones outlined in the task order. Continuous government oversight, performance reviews, and clear communication channels are essential to ensure the services align with DARPA's advanced research objectives and deliver the intended outcomes.

What is the historical spending trend for engineering services provided to DARPA through GSA, and how does this award fit within that pattern?

Analyzing historical spending trends for engineering services to DARPA via GSA would require access to detailed federal procurement databases. Generally, DARPA's mission necessitates significant investment in specialized engineering and technical support, often through task orders issued against various contract vehicles, including GSA schedules. Awards for such support can fluctuate year-to-year based on program needs and funding availability. This $14.8 million award represents a specific investment for a defined period (three years) and should be viewed within the context of DARPA's overall R&D budget and its historical reliance on external expertise for cutting-edge projects.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA24Q0020

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: $41,748,665

Exercised Options: $22,638,369

Current Obligation: $14,779,160

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $8,540,453

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA23D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline