Air Force Awards $7.4M R&D Contract to Linquest Corp for Trainer and Tactics Development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,397,029 ($7.4M)
Contractor: Linquest Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-08-25
End Date: 2026-08-24
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DELTA 12 OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF TRAINERS AND TACTICS DEVELOPMENT (O&T)
Place of Performance
Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, EL PASO County, COLORADO, 80914
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $7.4 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION for work described as: DELTA 12 OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF TRAINERS AND TACTICS DEVELOPMENT (O&T) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Linquest Corporation for operational assessment of trainers and tactics. 2. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. 3. Potential risk associated with 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status. 4. Fixed Price Level of Effort contract type. 5. Long duration of 1095 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $7.4M over 1095 days appears reasonable for specialized R&D services. However, without specific deliverables or benchmarks for 'operational assessment of trainers and tactics', a precise value assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract is listed as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', indicating a limited competition approach. This may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to a fully competitive environment.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized R&D. The lack of full competition raises concerns about achieving the best possible value for the investment.
Public Impact
Enhances training and tactics development for the Air Force, potentially improving operational readiness. Supports research and development in critical defense capabilities. Contract duration suggests a long-term need for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Lack of detailed performance metrics
- Potential for cost overruns due to fixed price level of effort
Positive Signals
- Focus on critical R&D
- Experienced contractor (implied by award)
- Clear contract end date
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically NAICS code 541715. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement but requires careful oversight due to its often intangible outcomes.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status warrants close oversight to ensure the necessity of this approach and that fair pricing is achieved. Regular performance reviews will be critical.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may inflate costs.
- Lack of clear performance metrics.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D.
- Long contract duration increases risk exposure.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, co, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $7.4 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION. DELTA 12 OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF TRAINERS AND TACTICS DEVELOPMENT (O&T)
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 $7.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-08-25. End: 2026-08-24.
What specific metrics will be used to assess the 'operational assessment of trainers and tactics' to ensure value for money?
The contract details do not specify the exact metrics for assessing the operational effectiveness of trainers and tactics. A thorough review of the Statement of Work (SOW) and performance reports is necessary to understand how success will be measured and to ensure the $7.4M investment yields tangible improvements in Air Force capabilities.
What is the justification for limiting competition on this $7.4M R&D contract?
The justification for limiting competition is not provided in the data. Typically, such limitations are based on factors like unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific research requirements. Understanding the rationale is crucial for assessing potential risks to cost-effectiveness and innovation.
How will the effectiveness of the developed trainers and tactics be measured post-contract to ensure long-term impact?
The contract focuses on the development and assessment phase. Post-contract effectiveness measurement would likely fall under separate operational testing and evaluation by the Air Force. However, the contract should ideally include provisions for knowledge transfer and documentation to facilitate this future assessment.
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: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT (B)
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: $31,187,770
Exercised Options: $12,336,117
Current Obligation: $7,397,029
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA254421D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-08-25
Current End Date: 2026-08-24
Potential End Date: 2028-08-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-12
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 Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)