Commission Research · Guide
How to Commission Independent Island Security Research
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
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
01
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.
02
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.
03
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.
04
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
Micro-State Research Summary
$1,500 – $2,500
For Pacific Island micro-states and SIDS nations. 3-4 page jurisdiction-specific synthesis. No original research.
Policy Brief
$5,000
10-15 page policy brief with original research. Evidence base, framework analysis, numbered recommendations.
Assessment Report
$15,000 – $40,000
20-40 page independent assessment. Full methodology documentation. Primary source research.
Research Report
$25,000 – $75,000
Full research report with executive summary, literature review, findings, recommendations, and appendices.
Procurement Information
ISPI is registered in SAM.gov and can receive government procurement awards. For commissions under $10,000, ISPI's Letter of Agreement is sufficient documentation without a separate formal contract. For commissions over $10,000 or where a formal contract is required, ISPI provides a supplementary contract addendum.
SAM.gov UEI: G5H9VJ7C4NS8
DUNS: 14-490-0399
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