DoD's $56.7M Space & Cyber Ops Contract with Linquest Faces Scrutiny for Value and Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $56,759,133 ($56.8M)
Contractor: Linquest Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-03-01
End Date: 2026-02-28
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $31.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SPACE AND CYBER OPERATIONS SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, EL PASO County, COLORADO, 80914
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $56.8 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION for work described as: SPACE AND CYBER OPERATIONS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Linquest Corporation for $56.7M. 2. Competition method was Full and Open, but award type is Delivery Order. 3. Sector is Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, with a focus on Space and Cyber. 4. Potential risks include cost-plus fixed fee structure and lack of specific performance metrics.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking against similar contracts for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' is difficult without detailed scope of work and performance data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
While advertised as Full and Open competition, the award is a Delivery Order, suggesting it might be part of a larger IDIQ or framework. The impact on price discovery is moderate, as initial competition occurred, but subsequent orders may have less price pressure.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized support services. The effectiveness of the competition and cost controls will determine the ultimate value for taxpayers.
Public Impact
Supports critical Space and Cyber operations for the Department of the Air Force. Contract duration is 5 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. Potential for cost escalation due to CPFF contract type. Lack of transparency on specific performance metrics and outcomes.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure
- Lack of detailed performance metrics
- Potential for scope creep
Positive Signals
- Full and Open Competition advertised
- Supports critical national security functions
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically supporting advanced space and cyber operations. Spending in this niche sector is often high due to specialized expertise and technology requirements, making robust oversight crucial.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses (sb: false). This contract, valued at over $56M, likely involves large prime contractors, potentially limiting direct opportunities for small businesses unless they are subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's Delivery Order nature suggests it might be managed under a broader contract vehicle. Oversight should focus on the justification for CPFF, monitoring of costs against fixed fees, and ensuring performance objectives are met throughout the contract's lifecycle.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Broad NAICS code may obscure specialization
- Lack of specific performance metrics in data
- Delivery Order award type requires scrutiny of parent contract
- No small business set-aside noted
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, co, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $56.8 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION. SPACE AND CYBER OPERATIONS SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LINQUEST CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $56.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-03-01. End: 2026-02-28.
What specific performance metrics are being used to evaluate Linquest Corporation's support in Space and Cyber Operations, and how are these tied to the fixed fee?
The provided data does not detail specific performance metrics. For a CPFF contract, clear, measurable, and achievable performance standards are essential to ensure value for money and prevent cost overruns. Without these, it's difficult to assess if the fixed fee adequately incentivizes efficient performance or if costs could escalate beyond initial projections.
How does the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code (541990) accurately capture the specialized nature of Space and Cyber Operations support?
The NAICS code 541990 is a broad category. While it encompasses 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' it may not fully reflect the highly specialized and critical nature of Space and Cyber Operations. Using such a general code could obscure the specific technical requirements and potentially impact the precision of market research and competition analysis.
What is the justification for using a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this $56.7M delivery order, and what measures are in place to mitigate potential cost overruns?
CPFF contracts are typically used when the scope of work is not well-defined or involves significant uncertainty. For this contract, the justification likely stems from the evolving nature of space and cyber threats. Mitigation measures should include rigorous cost monitoring, detailed progress reports, and strong program management oversight to control expenditures and ensure the fixed fee remains appropriate.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
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: $57,133,816
Exercised Options: $57,133,816
Current Obligation: $56,759,133
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 24
Total Subaward Amount: $11,139,773
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA251821D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-03-01
Current End Date: 2026-02-28
Potential End Date: 2026-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-18
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