GSA Awards $47.7M R&D Contract to Linquest Corporation for Star DST
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $47,669,029 ($47.7M)
Contractor: Linquest Corporation
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2021-12-27
End Date: 2026-12-26
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $26.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SPECIAL PROGRAMS (SP) SPECIAL PROGRAMS DIRECTORATE TECHNICAL, ADVISORY, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT TASK (STAR DST)
Place of Performance
Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $47.7 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION for work described as: SPECIAL PROGRAMS (SP) SPECIAL PROGRAMS DIRECTORATE TECHNICAL, ADVISORY, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT TASK (STAR DST) Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. LINQUEST CORPORATION is the sole awardee for this specific task order. 3. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can pose cost control challenges.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires careful monitoring to ensure costs remain reasonable and aligned with the fixed fee. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized R&D support, with the expectation of valuable outcomes. Oversight is crucial to ensure efficient use of these funds.
Public Impact
Supports critical research and development initiatives within the government. Potential for technological advancements and innovation stemming from the contract's R&D focus. Ensures specialized technical and advisory support is available to government programs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to gauge R&D effectiveness upfront.
- Limited visibility into the specific R&D projects funded by this task order.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, promoting a fair marketplace.
- Long-term contract duration (5 years) provides stability for R&D efforts.
- Focus on R&D aligns with government's need for innovation and technological advancement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the R&D sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Government spending in this area is crucial for innovation but requires rigorous oversight due to the inherent uncertainties in research outcomes.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and does not explicitly mention small business participation. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The General Services Administration (GSA) is the contracting agency. Oversight will involve monitoring LINQUEST CORPORATION's performance, costs, and adherence to the contract terms, particularly given the CPFF structure.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Federal Acquisition Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
- Limited public information on specific R&D deliverables.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, general-services-administration, ca, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $47.7 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION. SPECIAL PROGRAMS (SP) SPECIAL PROGRAMS DIRECTORATE TECHNICAL, ADVISORY, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT TASK (STAR DST)
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 $47.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-12-27. End: 2026-12-26.
What specific R&D projects will this contract support, and how do they align with agency priorities?
The contract supports the Special Programs Directorate's STAR DST. While the specific projects are not detailed, the NA code (541715) indicates R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Alignment with agency priorities would require further documentation review, but R&D contracts generally aim to advance technological capabilities or address scientific challenges relevant to the agency's mission.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract to ensure effective R&D outcomes?
Specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data. For a Cost Plus Fixed Fee R&D contract, effective oversight would typically involve tracking milestones, deliverables, technical progress reports, and adherence to budget. The agency should have internal metrics to assess the value and impact of the research conducted.
How will the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure be managed to prevent cost overruns and ensure value for money?
Managing a CPFF contract requires robust financial oversight. The GSA must closely monitor LINQUEST's incurred costs, ensure they are reasonable and allocable, and verify that the fixed fee is earned based on achieving contract objectives. Regular audits and performance reviews are essential to control costs and ensure taxpayer value.
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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 47QFPA22R0004
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
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: $84,682,689
Exercised Options: $67,592,809
Current Obligation: $47,669,029
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 73
Total Subaward Amount: $67,185,727
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD21DU600
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-12-27
Current End Date: 2026-12-26
Potential End Date: 2027-06-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-13
More Contracts from Linquest Corporation
- Procuring Systems Engineering, Integration,and Test Support for Military Satellite Communication — $642.2M (Department of Defense)
- Systems Engineering&intergration Support Services (SE&I) for the Milsatcom Systems Directorate — $318.1M (Department of Defense)
- 200608!000043!5700!fa8808!smc/Mlk !FA880806C0002 !A!N! !Y! !p00005!20060112!20110930!140389763!140389763!140389763!n!linquest Corporation !6701 Center Drive West, Su!los Angeles !ca!90045!44000!037!06!los Angeles !LOS Angeles !california!+000000583000!n!n!000000000000!r414!systems Engineering Services !S1 !services !000 !NOT Discernable !541710!E! !3! ! !C! ! !99990909!b!f!n!a! !d!n!r!1!001!n!1g!z!y!z! ! !n!b!n!n! ! !Z! !a!a!000!a!b!n! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! ! — $134.8M (Department of Defense)
- Provide Technical Support Services for the Remote Sensing System Directorate — $97.1M (Department of Defense)
- Metis — $84.7M (Department of Defense)
Other General Services Administration Contracts
- Software Life Cycle Development — $1.4B (Science Applications International Corporation)
- Task Order (TO) 47qfca21f0018 IS Hereby Awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. (BAH) to Provide Enterprise Level Data to the Ousd(c), and ITS Strategic Partners (I.E., DOD Fourth Estate, DOD Departments, and IC Community) — $1.4B (Booz Allen Hamilton Inc)
- Federal Contract — $1.2B (Booz Allen Hamilton Inc)
- THE Scope of the to IS to Provide Enterprise IT Services for the Usace — $1.1B (Science Applications International Corporation)
- Task Order Award — $1.1B (Booz Allen Hamilton Inc)