LINQUEST CORPORATION awarded $17.6M contract for Space Force mission support, highlighting potential for specialized technical services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,578,890 ($17.6M)
Contractor: Linquest Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-08-02
End Date: 2026-03-01
Contract Duration: 576 days
Daily Burn Rate: $30.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: STARCOMS MISSION IS TO DEVELOP GUARDIANS AND VALIDATE CAPABILITIES AND CONCEPTS TO ENSURE USSF COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS. HQ STARCOM OVERSEES THIS MISSION THROUGH STRATEGIC PLANNING, COMMUNICATIONS INTEGRATION, AND LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS
Place of Performance
Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, EL PASO County, COLORADO, 80914
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $17.6 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION for work described as: STARCOMS MISSION IS TO DEVELOP GUARDIANS AND VALIDATE CAPABILITIES AND CONCEPTS TO ENSURE USSF COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS. HQ STARCOM OVERSEES THIS MISSION THROUGH STRATEGIC PLANNING, COMMUNICATIONS INTEGRATION, AND LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS Key points: 1. Contract value suggests a significant need for specialized professional, scientific, and technical services within the Space Force. 2. The full and open competition indicates a broad market search, potentially leading to competitive pricing. 3. The fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor, LINQUEST CORPORATION. 4. The contract duration of 576 days points to a medium-term engagement for capability development and validation. 5. The award to LINQUEST CORPORATION, a single entity, warrants scrutiny of their capacity and past performance. 6. The absence of small business set-asides suggests the scope may not have been conducive to smaller enterprise participation.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $17.6 million over its period of performance appears reasonable for specialized technical services supporting a critical defense mission. Benchmarking against similar contracts for strategic planning, communications integration, and leadership engagement within the Department of Defense would provide further context. However, without specific details on the deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government when scope is well-defined.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that the Department of the Air Force sought proposals from all responsible sources. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment. A robust competition is expected to drive down prices and encourage innovation from offerors.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential contractors, increasing the likelihood of securing the best value and potentially lower prices through competitive bidding.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Space Force (USSF) and its STARCOM mission, which aims to enhance combat effectiveness. Services delivered include strategic planning, communications integration, and leadership engagement to develop and validate capabilities and concepts. The geographic impact is likely centered around STARCOM headquarters and associated operational areas, primarily in Colorado. Workforce implications may involve specialized technical personnel and subject matter experts contributing to space force readiness.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if initial concept validation requirements are not clearly defined.
- Reliance on a single contractor, LINQUEST CORPORATION, could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
- The effectiveness of 'all other professional, scientific, and technical services' can be difficult to quantify without clear performance metrics.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad market search and potential for competitive pricing.
- Firm fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor.
- Contract supports a critical national security mission for the U.S. Space Force, indicating strategic importance.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under NAICS code 541990. This broad category encompasses a wide range of services, including those related to research, development, and specialized consulting. The Space Force's need for capability development and concept validation aligns with the market for advanced technical support services, often characterized by high specialization and significant government investment. Comparable spending in this sector often involves complex system integration, strategic analysis, and operational support for defense and intelligence agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the requirements were likely too broad or specialized for small business participation, or that the competition was structured to attract larger, more established firms capable of handling the full scope of work. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans, but given the lack of small business set-aside, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless LINQUEST CORPORATION voluntarily engages small businesses for specific components of the work.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Air Force and U.S. Space Force contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring LINQUEST CORPORATION to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award announcements and reporting mechanisms, though specific performance metrics and oversight activities may not be publicly detailed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Space Force Command and Control Systems
- Defense Research and Development
- Military Strategic Planning
- Aerospace Technology Development
- National Security Space Operations
Risk Flags
- Contract awarded to a single entity; monitor performance closely.
- Broad NAICS code may obscure specific service value; ensure clear performance metrics.
- No small business set-aside; assess potential impact on small business participation.
Tags
defense, space-force, professional-scientific-technical-services, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, colorado, department-of-the-air-force, starcom, capability-development, strategic-planning, medium-value-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $17.6 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION. STARCOMS MISSION IS TO DEVELOP GUARDIANS AND VALIDATE CAPABILITIES AND CONCEPTS TO ENSURE USSF COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS. HQ STARCOM OVERSEES THIS MISSION THROUGH STRATEGIC PLANNING, COMMUNICATIONS INTEGRATION, AND LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS
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 $17.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-08-02. End: 2026-03-01.
What is LINQUEST CORPORATION's track record with similar government contracts, particularly within the Department of Defense or Space Force?
Assessing LINQUEST CORPORATION's track record requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Specific experience with strategic planning, communications integration, and capability validation for defense agencies would be key indicators of their suitability for this role. Without access to detailed performance data, it is difficult to definitively assess their past success, but the award itself suggests they met initial qualification criteria. Further investigation into their financial stability and technical expertise would also be prudent.
How does the $17.6 million contract value compare to similar services procured by the Space Force or Department of Defense for mission support?
The $17.6 million contract value for LINQUEST CORPORATION's services needs to be benchmarked against comparable procurements to ascertain its reasonableness. This involves identifying contracts with similar scopes of work, such as strategic planning, technical concept validation, and communications integration, awarded to other entities within the DoD or Space Force. Factors like contract duration, complexity of services, and the specific agency or unit being supported influence pricing. If this contract represents a significant deviation (either higher or lower) from established benchmarks for similar services, it could indicate either exceptional value or potential overpricing/underbidding. A detailed analysis would require access to a broader dataset of relevant contract awards.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
Key risks for this contract include potential performance deficiencies by LINQUEST CORPORATION, the possibility of scope creep if initial requirements are not precisely defined, and the inherent risk of relying on a single contractor. Given the firm fixed-price nature, the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, but this could incentivize cutting corners on quality if not properly monitored. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust government oversight, clear performance metrics and deliverables, regular progress reviews, and contingency planning. The Space Force's contracting officers would be responsible for monitoring performance and enforcing contract terms. The 'full and open competition' aspect also mitigates risk by ensuring a competitive landscape initially.
How effective is the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category (NAICS 541990) in capturing the specific value delivered by this contract?
The NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is a broad category designed to capture services that do not fit into more specific classifications. While it provides a general industry context, it may not fully articulate the specific value delivered by LINQUEST CORPORATION's work for STARCOM. The true value lies in the successful development and validation of Guardian capabilities and concepts to ensure USSF combat effectiveness. The effectiveness of this contract is ultimately measured by its contribution to these strategic goals, rather than solely by its classification. The broadness of the NAICS code highlights the diverse nature of technical support services required by modern defense organizations.
What are the historical spending patterns for similar mission support services within the U.S. Space Force or Department of Defense?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar mission support services within the U.S. Space Force and Department of Defense is crucial for context. This would involve examining trends in contract awards for strategic planning, capability development, and technical validation over the past several fiscal years. Understanding whether spending in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable can indicate evolving priorities and resource allocation. Furthermore, identifying the primary contractors and the typical contract values and durations can help establish benchmarks. Significant fluctuations or a consistent high level of spending might suggest a sustained and critical need for these types of services within the defense establishment.
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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
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: $52,306,532
Exercised Options: $17,603,890
Current Obligation: $17,578,890
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 6
Total Subaward Amount: $28,480,837
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: 2024-08-02
Current End Date: 2026-03-01
Potential End Date: 2029-03-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-17
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