DoD's $45M R&D contract for decision analysis support awarded to LINQUEST CORPORATION
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $45,151,098 ($45.2M)
Contractor: Linquest Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-12-31
End Date: 2026-07-01
Contract Duration: 182 days
Daily Burn Rate: $248.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT
Sector: R&D
Official Description: USSF DECISION ANALYSIS SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $45.2 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION for work described as: USSF DECISION ANALYSIS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. Research and Development focus in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 3. Long-term contract duration of 18 months. 4. No small business set-aside noted, potentially impacting small business participation. 5. High value contract for specialized R&D services. 6. Virginia-based contractor suggests potential regional economic impact.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
Benchmarking the value of this $45.15 million contract is challenging without more specific details on the deliverables and the nature of the R&D. As a sole-source award, there's no direct comparison to other bids for this specific requirement. The fixed-price-level-of-effort structure aims to control costs, but the overall value depends heavily on the efficiency and effectiveness of LINQUEST CORPORATION's research and analysis.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed openly. This typically occurs when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances prevent a competitive process. The lack of competition means potential savings from a bidding war are forgone, and the government relies on negotiation and oversight to ensure fair pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher prices for taxpayers as competition is absent, potentially reducing the government's leverage in price negotiations.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is the Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force, which will receive decision analysis support. The services delivered are critical for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The contract is geographically focused on Virginia, where the contractor is based. The contract may have implications for a specialized workforce in R&D and data analysis.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
- Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source procurement.
- Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed under fixed-price-level-of-effort.
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a single, potentially specialized vendor, suggesting a good fit for specific needs.
- Fixed-price-level-of-effort contract type provides some cost certainty.
- Long-term award indicates a sustained need for these services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for defense innovation. The market for such specialized R&D services is often characterized by a limited number of highly skilled firms. Comparable spending in this sub-sector can vary widely depending on the specific technological focus and agency.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss=false, sb=false). This means large businesses or the prime contractor are not obligated to subcontract with small businesses under this award. Consequently, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages them.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance metrics within the fixed-price-level-of-effort agreement. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, but contract details and performance reports should be accessible through federal procurement databases.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Research and Development Contracts
- Air Force Decision Support Systems
- Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Federal R&D Spending
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award raises concerns about price competition.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
- Contract duration and value require diligent oversight.
Tags
research-and-development, department-of-defense, department-of-the-air-force, sole-source, fixed-price-level-of-effort, decision-analysis, scientific-research, engineering-services, life-sciences, virginia, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $45.2 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION. USSF DECISION ANALYSIS 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 $45.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-12-31. End: 2026-07-01.
What specific decision analysis capabilities does LINQUEST CORPORATION provide under this contract?
The contract details are limited, but the NAICS code 541715 indicates 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)'. This suggests LINQUEST CORPORATION is providing analytical support to aid decision-making within these scientific and engineering domains for the Department of the Air Force. This could involve complex modeling, simulation, data analysis, and strategic planning support to address specific challenges or opportunities faced by the agency. The exact nature of the 'decision analysis support' would be further elaborated in the contract's statement of work, which is not publicly detailed here.
How does the $45.15 million value compare to similar R&D contracts in the physical, engineering, and life sciences sector?
Benchmarking this $45.15 million contract against similar R&D efforts is complex due to the specialized nature of the work and the sole-source award. However, R&D contracts of this magnitude are not uncommon within the Department of Defense, particularly for advanced research initiatives. The value is significant and suggests a substantial scope of work or a long-term engagement. Without knowing the specific technological area or the duration of the research, direct comparisons are difficult. Generally, R&D spending in these fields can range from a few million to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the project's ambition and risk.
What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for R&D services?
The primary risk of a sole-source award for R&D services is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive bidding. Without competing offers, the government may not achieve the best possible price. Another risk is that the chosen contractor, while possessing unique capabilities, might not be the most innovative or efficient provider available. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of strategic planning or market research by the agency, leading to reliance on a single vendor. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance metrics becomes even more critical to mitigate these risks.
What is the expected impact of this contract on the specific R&D field it supports?
This contract is expected to advance decision-making capabilities within the physical, engineering, and life sciences relevant to the Department of the Air Force. By funding LINQUEST CORPORATION's research and analysis, the contract aims to provide the agency with better tools and insights for strategic planning, resource allocation, and operational effectiveness. The specific impact will depend on the breakthroughs or improvements achieved in decision analysis methodologies and their application to Air Force challenges. This could lead to more informed investments, optimized operations, or enhanced technological development within the supported R&D domains.
How has the Department of the Air Force historically spent on decision analysis support or similar R&D services?
Historical spending by the Department of the Air Force on decision analysis support and related R&D services can be substantial, reflecting the complexity of modern military operations and technological development. While specific figures for 'decision analysis support' are not readily aggregated, the Air Force consistently invests billions annually in R&D across various scientific and engineering disciplines. Analyzing past contracts for similar services, particularly those awarded competitively and sole-source, would reveal trends in pricing, contractor performance, and the evolution of required capabilities. This contract represents a portion of that ongoing investment in enhancing analytical and decision-making prowess.
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: $46,386,107
Exercised Options: $46,386,107
Current Obligation: $45,151,098
Actual Outlays: $423,420
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 37
Total Subaward Amount: $89,168,867
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: 2025-12-31
Current End Date: 2026-07-01
Potential End Date: 2026-07-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-14
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