Space Force awards $21.3M contract to Linquest Corp for analysis support, highlighting R&D in physical sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,308,131 ($21.3M)
Contractor: Linquest Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-01-01
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $29.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PHASE III UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE ANALYSIS SUPPORT INDEFINITE-DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUALITY, JOINT SPACE ANALYSIS, ASSESSMENT AND LESSONS LEARNED TASK ORDER
Place of Performance
Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, EL PASO County, COLORADO, 80914
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $21.3 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION for work described as: SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PHASE III UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE ANALYSIS SUPPORT INDEFINITE-DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUALITY, JOINT SPACE ANALYSIS, ASSESSMENT AND LESSONS LEARNED TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract value of $21.3 million for analysis support services. 2. Focus on Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 3. Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity contract type suggests ongoing needs. 4. Contract awarded to Linquest Corporation, a single source provider. 5. Performance period spans two years, from January 2025 to December 2026. 6. Task order is a Delivery Order under a larger IDIQ contract. 7. Geographic focus on Colorado for this specific task order.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $21.3 million for two years of analysis support appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized R&D services. However, without specific benchmarks for similar 'Joint Space Analysis, Assessment and Lessons Learned' tasks, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price level of effort contract type provides some cost control, but the lack of competitive bidding limits the ability to benchmark against market rates.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded as a sole-source, not available for competition. This indicates that the Space Force likely identified Linquest Corporation as the only capable provider for these highly specialized analysis support services, possibly due to unique expertise, prior performance, or proprietary knowledge. The absence of competition means that price discovery through bidding was not utilized, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the benefit of cost savings that typically arise from a competitive bidding process. The government relied on negotiation rather than market forces to determine the price.
Public Impact
The United States Space Force benefits from enhanced analysis and assessment capabilities for space operations. Services delivered include joint space analysis, assessment, and lessons learned. Geographic impact is primarily within Colorado, where the task order is managed. Workforce implications include specialized analysts and researchers supporting national security space initiatives.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits price competition and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
- Lack of transparency in the selection process due to non-competitive nature.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if Linquest Corporation possesses unique, indispensable capabilities.
Positive Signals
- Award to a single contractor can ensure continuity of specialized services.
- Focus on R&D in physical sciences supports critical national security objectives.
- Clear performance period and contract type (fixed-price level of effort) provide some predictability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences, excluding nanotechnology and biotechnology. The market for specialized space analysis and assessment services is niche, often dominated by a few key contractors with deep domain expertise and security clearances. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the specialized nature of 'Joint Space Analysis, Assessment and Lessons Learned' tasks, but R&D contracts of this size are common across various federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'ss: false' and 'sb: false'. The prime contractor, Linquest Corporation, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award, nor is there an immediate impact on the small business ecosystem through set-aside goals.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices within the Space Force. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price level of effort contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified effort. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
- Space Force Analysis Support Contracts
- Department of Defense Research and Development
- Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Support Services
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award may limit cost-effectiveness.
- Lack of competitive bidding reduces transparency in price determination.
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized nature of services.
Tags
research-and-development, space-force, department-of-defense, air-force, analysis-support, sole-source, fixed-price-level-of-effort, indefinite-delivery-indefinite-quantity, delivery-order, colorado, physical-sciences, r&d
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $21.3 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION. SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PHASE III UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE ANALYSIS SUPPORT INDEFINITE-DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUALITY, JOINT SPACE ANALYSIS, ASSESSMENT AND LESSONS LEARNED TASK ORDER
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 $21.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.
What is Linquest Corporation's track record with the Space Force and similar defense agencies?
Linquest Corporation has a history of providing engineering, integration, and technical support services to defense agencies, including the Space Force and Air Force. Their expertise often lies in areas such as space systems engineering, cybersecurity, and advanced technologies. While specific details on past performance for 'Joint Space Analysis, Assessment and Lessons Learned' tasks are not provided in this data snippet, their general profile suggests they are a capable contractor in the defense space. Further investigation into their contract history, past performance reviews, and any awards or penalties would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record.
How does the $21.3 million contract value compare to similar analysis support contracts for the Space Force?
Benchmarking the $21.3 million value for this specific 'Joint Space Analysis, Assessment and Lessons Learned' task order against similar contracts is challenging without access to a broader database of comparable procurements. However, for specialized R&D and technical support services within the defense sector, a two-year contract of this magnitude is not uncommon. The value is influenced by the highly specialized nature of space analysis, the required expertise, and the duration. Given it's a sole-source award, direct price comparisons are limited, but the amount suggests a significant scope of work requiring advanced analytical capabilities.
What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract?
The primary risks associated with this sole-source contract include potential overpricing due to the lack of competitive bidding, limited innovation spurred by the absence of market pressure, and the risk of vendor lock-in if Linquest Corporation possesses unique, indispensable capabilities. There's also a risk that the government may not be receiving the best possible value compared to what could have been achieved through competition. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes face greater scrutiny regarding the justification for non-competition and the fairness of the negotiated price.
How effective is the 'fixed-price level of effort' contract type in ensuring program effectiveness for R&D services?
The 'fixed-price level of effort' (FPLE) contract type aims to balance cost certainty for the government with flexibility for the contractor. It establishes a fixed price for a specified level of effort (labor hours and associated costs) to be expended. Program effectiveness is contingent on the contractor diligently performing the agreed-upon effort and achieving the desired outcomes. For R&D services, FPLE can be effective if the scope is well-defined and the effort is the primary driver of value. However, it can be less effective if the R&D outcomes are highly uncertain or if the focus shifts from effort to results, as it doesn't inherently incentivize innovation or efficiency beyond completing the defined effort.
What are the historical spending patterns for similar analysis support services within the Space Force or Air Force?
Historical spending patterns for similar analysis support services within the Space Force and Air Force are not detailed in the provided data. However, agencies like these consistently invest significant resources in R&D, intelligence analysis, and technical support to maintain space superiority. Spending in these areas is often driven by evolving threats, technological advancements, and the need for continuous assessment of space capabilities. Contracts for analysis support can range from small, task-specific awards to large IDIQ vehicles, with values fluctuating based on program priorities and budget allocations. Understanding specific historical trends would require analyzing broader contract databases.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is synonymous with a sole-source award. The specific justification for this determination is not included in the snippet. Typically, sole-source awards are justified under specific circumstances outlined in federal acquisition regulations, such as when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or when there is a compelling urgency. For specialized R&D services like joint space analysis, it's plausible that the government determined Linquest Corporation possessed unique capabilities or proprietary knowledge essential for the mission, making competition impractical or detrimental to national security interests.
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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
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: $50,027,864
Exercised Options: $23,299,696
Current Obligation: $21,308,131
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 5
Total Subaward Amount: $1,743,516
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: 2025-01-01
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2028-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-04
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