GSA Awards $82.7M Digital Engineering R&D Contract to Linquest Corp for AFLCMC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $82,727,350 ($82.7M)
Contractor: Linquest Corporation
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2021-09-14
End Date: 2026-09-13
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $45.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DIGITAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR AFLCMC SBIR PHASE III TASK ORDER 002
Place of Performance
Location: BEAVERCREEK, GREENE County, OHIO, 45431
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $82.7 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION for work described as: DIGITAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR AFLCMC SBIR PHASE III TASK ORDER 002 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Linquest Corporation for digital engineering R&D. 2. Significant award value of $82.7M over 5 years. 3. Limited competition due to contract type, potentially impacting price discovery. 4. Sector is R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 5. No explicit small business set-aside noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific service details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract is not available for competition, indicating a limited source selection. This approach may not yield the best price for taxpayers as competitive pressures are absent.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this significant award raises concerns about achieving optimal value for taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Supports AFLCMC's digital engineering initiatives, potentially modernizing defense capabilities. Long-term contract (5 years) suggests a sustained need for these R&D services. Award to a single vendor may limit broader industry innovation and knowledge sharing.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Time and Materials pricing
- Lack of small business participation
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D for AFLCMC
- Long-term engagement provides stability
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement but requires careful oversight to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor is not identified as a small business. This means opportunities for small business subcontracting may be limited unless actively pursued by the prime.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is a delivery order under an existing agreement, suggesting some level of prior vetting. However, the limited competition and Time and Materials structure warrant close monitoring by GSA and AFLCMC to ensure accountability and prevent cost creep.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Federal Acquisition Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Time and Materials contract type
- Lack of explicit small business participation
- Potential for cost overruns
- Difficulty in benchmarking R&D services
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, general-services-administration, oh, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $82.7 million to LINQUEST CORPORATION. DIGITAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR AFLCMC SBIR PHASE III TASK ORDER 002
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LINQUEST CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $82.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-14. End: 2026-09-13.
What specific digital engineering capabilities will Linquest Corporation deliver, and how do these align with AFLCMC's strategic goals?
The contract focuses on digital engineering research and development for AFLCMC. While the specific capabilities are not detailed, they likely involve advancing digital tools, processes, and infrastructure to support aircraft lifecycle management. This could include areas like model-based systems engineering, digital twins, and integrated digital environments, all aimed at improving efficiency, reducing costs, and accelerating development timelines for Air Force weapon systems.
What are the primary risks associated with a limited competition, Time and Materials contract for R&D services?
The primary risks include potential cost overruns due to the absence of a fixed price ceiling and the inherent difficulty in precisely estimating R&D efforts. Limited competition means taxpayers may not benefit from the most competitive pricing. Furthermore, the government bears more risk in defining the scope and managing contractor effort effectively to ensure value is received.
How will the effectiveness of Linquest Corporation's R&D contributions be measured and ensured over the contract's five-year duration?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through milestone achievements, delivery of specific research outcomes, and alignment with AFLCMC's defined R&D objectives. Performance metrics and regular progress reviews will be crucial. The Time and Materials nature necessitates robust government oversight to ensure contractor effort is productive and contributes tangibly to advancing digital engineering capabilities for the Air Force.
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 › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 47QFLA21Q0402
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2551 DULLES VIEW DR STE 200, HERNDON, VA, 20171
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $110,851,271
Exercised Options: $110,851,271
Current Obligation: $82,727,350
Actual Outlays: $-280,784
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 33
Total Subaward Amount: $19,087,448
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA21D0008
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-14
Current End Date: 2026-09-13
Potential End Date: 2026-09-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-26
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