Practitioner Guide · Research Commissioning · Government Procurement
How to Commission Island Security Research: What Government Agencies and Foundations Need to Know
Island Security Policy Institute · Honolulu, Hawaiʻi · Updated August 28, 2026
Warren Pulley — Founder & Executive Director, ISPI
Practitioner How-To Guide
How-To Summary
Commissioning island security research from ISPI involves five steps: defining the research question, selecting the appropriate deliverable type, establishing timeline and budget, executing the commission agreement, and receiving and applying the research. Government agencies can commission ISPI through SAM.gov federal procurement (UEI: G5H9VJ7C4NS8) without competitive bidding below the simplified acquisition threshold. All ISPI research is produced with full editorial independence and published free for public access.
Step 1 — Define your research question
The most common reason research commissions produce unsatisfying results is an insufficiently defined research question. A good island security research question has three characteristics: it is specific enough to be answerable within the commission's budget and timeline, it is open enough to allow the research findings to go where the evidence leads, and it addresses a decision the commissioning organization actually needs to make.
Examples of well-defined research questions for ISPI commissions: "What insider threat framework is most appropriate for a Pacific island border agency with a workforce of under 30 officers?" "What are the specific FEMA Individual Assistance program provisions that systematically disadvantage Hawaii island communities in disaster recovery?" "What community policing interventions have produced documented crime reduction outcomes in Pacific island jurisdictions comparable to our department's operating conditions?" Each of these is specific, evidence-open, and decision-relevant.
1
Define the research question
Write the core research question in one sentence. Then write the decision it will inform in one sentence. If you cannot do both, the question needs further refinement before commission. ISPI can assist with research question development as part of the scoping conversation at no charge.
2
Select the appropriate deliverable type
ISPI produces three primary deliverable types. A Policy Brief (from $8,500, 15-25 pages) addresses a single focused research question with a clear policy recommendation. An Assessment Report (from $22,000, 30-50 pages) evaluates a specific program, framework, or institutional condition against documented standards. A Full Research Report (from $45,000, 50-100+ pages) addresses a complex multi-part research question with comprehensive literature review, primary source analysis, and detailed recommendations. An Insular Vulnerability Audit is a specialized assessment product priced separately.
3
Establish timeline and budget
ISPI's standard delivery timeline is 60 days from commission execution to final report delivery. Expedited 30-day delivery is available for an additional fee. Phased delivery — interim findings at 30 days, final report at 60 days — is available for larger commissions. Budget should include the research fee plus any direct costs for data acquisition, expert panel consultation fees, or travel if on-site assessment is required.
4
Execute the commission — government procurement process
Government agencies commissioning ISPI through federal procurement: ISPI is SAM.gov registered with UEI G5H9VJ7C4NS8 and NAICS code 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities). Research commissions below the simplified acquisition threshold ($250,000) do not require competitive bidding and can be awarded directly through a purchase order or micro-purchase. ISPI can provide a sole-source justification letter documenting that no other institution provides island-specific public safety and security policy research. Foundations and corporations commission directly through a standard consulting agreement.
5
Receive and apply the research
All ISPI research is delivered in two formats: a professionally designed PDF for distribution and a plain-text version for internal use. ISPI reviews the final report with the commissioning organization before publication to verify factual accuracy. Editorial independence is absolute — ISPI does not revise findings to align with the commissioning organization's preferred conclusions. All commissioned research is published free on ispiglobal.com under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0, giving the commissioning organization full credit for funding the research while maximizing its public impact.
What ISPI commissions include as standard
Every ISPI commission includes: five-pillar research methodology with government agency sources, regional organization data, OSINT two-source verification, 78-member Global Expert Panel review across 14 disciplines, and AI synthesis under practitioner review; full citation and source documentation; a SIDS global bridge connecting findings to the broader international small island state context; an executive summary suitable for legislative or board presentation; and free permanent public access to the final report at ispiglobal.com.
SIDS Global Bridge
Every island security research commission ISPI accepts includes a SIDS global bridge — connecting findings from Hawaii and Pacific island research to the broader 39-nation SIDS community. Organizations in Caribbean SIDS, Indian Ocean SIDS, and other small island jurisdictions can commission ISPI research directly or commission research that explicitly addresses their regional context. ISPI's research methodology applies the same five-pillar framework regardless of the commissioning organization's geographic location.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to commission island security research from ISPI?
ISPI research commissions start at $8,500 for a policy brief, $22,000 for an assessment report, and $45,000 for a full research report. All commissions include five-pillar methodology, 78-member expert panel review, and free public publication of findings. Budget and scope can be discussed in a no-cost scoping conversation.
Can a government agency commission ISPI research without competitive bidding?
Yes. ISPI is SAM.gov registered (UEI: G5H9VJ7C4NS8) with NAICS code 541720. Research commissions below the simplified acquisition threshold do not require competitive bidding. ISPI can provide a sole-source justification letter documenting that no other institution provides island-specific public safety and security policy research.
Does ISPI publish commissioned research publicly?
Yes. All commissioned ISPI research is published free at ispiglobal.com under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. The commissioning organization receives full credit for funding the research. Editorial independence is absolute — ISPI does not revise findings to align with commissioning organization preferences.
