What does ISPI offer?

Commissioned research on public safety and security policy questions in island environments: Island Expert Briefs, Policy Briefs, Insular Vulnerability Audits, Assessment Reports, Research Reports, the Island-Resilient Certification, briefings, tabletop exercises, training and retainers.

How long does delivery take?

An Island Expert Brief is delivered within 10 business days and a Policy Brief within 15 business days.

Can federal agencies commission ISPI?

Yes. ISPI is registered in SAM.gov under NAICS 541720 (UEI: G5H9VJ7C4NS8).

Submit the commission inquiry form on the Commission Research page with your topic, deliverable type, budget and timeline.

Commission Research · Guide

How to Commission Independent Island Security Research

ISPI, a Honolulu-based nonprofit policy research institute, produces commissioned security and public safety research for island jurisdictions. It serves government agencies, foundations, corporations and international organizations. Island Expert Briefs start at $4,500. To start, submit the commission inquiry form.

A step-by-step guide for government agencies, foundations, and corporations on commissioning island security policy research from ISPI — including process, pricing, and editorial independence policy.

Warren Pulley

Founder & Executive Director · Island Security Policy Institute · 2026

Author profile · ORCID: 0009-0007-8694-0149 · SSRN

ISPI accepts research commissions from government agencies, foundations, law enforcement organizations, and corporations operating in island environments. Every commission is produced under ISPI's full editorial independence policy. Commissioning clients do not influence conclusions, recommendations, or published findings.

Who Commissions ISPI Research

Government agencies commission ISPI for independent policy analysis on specific island security questions — emergency management framework assessments, law enforcement workforce analyses, infrastructure vulnerability studies — where independent research provides the evidentiary foundation that internal staff reports cannot. ISPI is registered in SAM.gov (UEI: G5H9VJ7C4NS8, NAICS 541720) and can receive federal, state, and county procurement awards. Foundations commission ISPI to support research that advances specific island community public safety priorities. Corporations commission ISPI for Island-Resilient Certification and independent security assessments documenting island-specific ESG and duty of care compliance.

The Commission Process — Four Steps

Scope Inquiry — 48-Hour Response

Email ISPIGlobal@proton.me with a brief description of the research question, the intended audience for the findings, and the general timeline. ISPI responds to all scope inquiries within 48 hours.

Scope and Budget Outline — 3 Business Days

ISPI provides a written scope and budget outline within three business days of the initial inquiry. The outline describes the research question, the methodology, the deliverable type and format, the timeline, and the fixed price.

Letter of Agreement — Commission Confirmed

ISPI issues a Letter of Agreement documenting the scope, price, timeline, editorial independence clause, and publication rights. The commission begins upon counter-signature.

Delivery and Publication — 60-Day Maximum

ISPI delivers the completed research product within the agreed timeline — 60 days maximum for all commission formats. The research is published in ISPI's institutional format with full citations and delivered in PDF. The commissioning organization receives five business days for factual review only.

Commission Pricing

Projects typically start at $4,500; every engagement is scoped and quoted after a free 20-minute call.

Book a free 20-minute scoping call →

Procurement Information

ISPI is registered in SAM.gov and can receive government procurement awards. For commissions under $15,000 (the federal micro-purchase threshold), ISPI's Letter of Agreement is sufficient documentation without a separate formal contract. For commissions over $15,000 or where a formal contract is required, ISPI provides a supplementary contract addendum.

SAM.gov UEI: G5H9VJ7C4NS8

NAICS: 541720 — Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

ORCID: 0009-0007-8694-0149

Commission Research — Full Details →

Scope inquiry form, output types, research domains, editorial independence policy

Commissioned Research Library →

Published commissioned outputs and active research pipeline

Warren Pulley — Principal Investigator →

Credentials, operational background, and research specializations