ROOK VANTAGESTRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE & ADVISORY
Original illustration of a sculptural rook against a globe-like circular field
INDEPENDENT STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE

A clearer view.
A stronger position.

Research that turns complex business questions into evidence, perspective, and options for action.

Geopolitics · Markets · Public sector · Business risk

ROOK VANTAGE LLCFORT MYERS, FLORIDA / GLOBAL PERSPECTIVEEXPLORE THE FIRM ↓
THE VANTAGE POINT

Before the commitment,
understand the landscape.

Rook Vantage is an independent research and advisory business. We examine public information around the decisions that shape your markets, exposure, and growth.

How we work ↗
OUR EXPERTISE

Intelligence with
a business purpose.

Start with the decision. Choose the research that helps you examine it.

THE INTELLIGENCE DESK

Evidence. Perspective.

All analysis & guides ↗
THE WORK / EVIDENCE INTO PERSPECTIVE

See the thinking
behind the brief.

Read two sourced demonstration briefs and a fictional worked comparison. Examine the evidence, the assessment, and what remains unresolved.

Explore sample briefs ↗
ROOK VANTAGEILLUSTRATIVE BRIEF

Two offers.
One comparable scope?

A fictional example of evidence-led comparison.

  • 01 What the inputs establish
  • 02 What the assessment suggests
  • 03 What remains unresolved
Open the brief ↗
CLEAR SCOPE / CLEAR FEES

Research for the decision.
A price you can plan around.

Choose a starting point. We confirm the research question, deliverables, deadline, and total fee in writing before work begins.

01 / ONE FOCUSED QUESTION

Focused Brief

From $495 USD / project

A clear starting engagement: one question, referenced findings, and a practical next step. See exactly what’s included →

  • One question in one market, country, or policy area
  • Target: 2–4 pages with findings, implications, and information gaps
  • Public-source references and one clarification round
  • Typical delivery: 3–5 business days
Request a focused brief ↗
03 / A BROADER RESEARCH MANDATE

Extended Research

From $3,495 USD / project

A coordinated research project for teams evaluating a broader opportunity or exposure.

  • Up to five agreed questions and five comparison subjects
  • Target: 15–25 pages plus a concise executive slide summary
  • Scenario analysis, priorities, and documented evidence gaps
  • 60-minute findings call and one clarification round
  • Typical delivery: 10–15 business days
Discuss extended research ↗

Unsure which package fits? Use the project finder →

These packages apply across strategic & geopolitical intelligence, government & public-sector research, market & competitive strategy, and public-source business research. Availability and suitability are confirmed during scoping. Multi-country work, specialist data, interviews, and larger mandates require a separate quote.

How the fee works

All prices are starting fees in USD. The written proposal sets the fixed total; no extra work or expenses are charged without approval. Standard payment-processing costs are included. Applicable taxes, if any, are shown separately before acceptance.

Terms agreed upfront

Standard proposal terms: projects below $1,000 are paid upfront; larger projects use a 50% deposit and 50% on completion. Delivery dates start after scope acceptance, required materials, and the agreed initial payment. One clarification round covers the original scope; new questions are quoted separately.

Need ongoing support?

Recurring research and enterprise or public-sector engagements are quoted to the agreed workload and procurement requirements. Rush work is accepted only when capacity allows and is priced in the proposal. Start with a no-charge, 15-minute scope discussion.

WHERE THE QUESTIONS ARISE

Different businesses.
Decisions that need context.

Examples of how an engagement can be framed. Fit and scope are confirmed for each assignment.

01 / CONSTRUCTION & UTILITIES

Assess a new service market.

Compare local competitors, observable offers, public project information, and the assumptions behind expansion.

Explore market research ↗
02 / GOVERNMENT-FOCUSED BUSINESSES

Understand published priorities.

Organize agency plans, program context, opportunity documents, and questions to resolve before pursuing work.

Explore public-sector research ↗
03 / TRADE & OPERATIONS

Examine regional exposure.

Connect political and economic developments to a defined market-entry, supplier, or operating question.

Explore geopolitical intelligence ↗
FOR ENTERPRISE & GOVERNMENT-FOCUSED TEAMS

A larger mandate.
A defined plan.

Bring a specific research workstream, an expansion question, or a briefing requirement. We’ll assess fit and build a proposal around your objectives and procurement process.

Request an enterprise scope ↗

Custom proposal · Scope and capacity confirmed before acceptance

01 / RESEARCH WORKSTREAM

Support a wider strategy.

Competitor comparisons, market landscapes, regional context, and policy research organized around agreed questions.

02 / EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION

Prepare the leadership discussion.

Written findings, an executive summary, and a findings call or slide summary as specified in the engagement.

03 / COMMERCIAL CLARITY

Define how the work runs.

Document deliverables, milestones, review points, information handling, and any procurement requirements in the proposal.

04 / THE ENGAGEMENT

A disciplined process.
A useful outcome.

Start with the decision.
Build the research around it.

01 / DEFINE

Frame the question.

Agree on the objective, research boundaries, intended audience, timeline, and deliverables.

02 / EXAMINE

Build the picture.

Review relevant public sources, compare accounts, evaluate reliability, and document gaps.

03 / ASSESS

Find what matters.

Separate established facts from analytical judgments and consider plausible alternative explanations.

04 / BRIEF

Make it actionable.

Deliver clear findings, implications, and practical next steps in the format your team can use.

ENGAGEMENT FORMATSExecutive briefingResearch memorandumStrategic assessmentDefined-scope research project
WHO WE ARE / ROOK VANTAGE LLC

Independent intelligence.
Decisions with direction.

We help organizations evaluate opportunity, understand external risk, and make informed strategic choices.

Rook Vantage brings together geopolitical analysis, public-sector research, and competitive intelligence to address defined business questions. Each engagement connects documented evidence to implications, options, and priorities for action.

01 / PURPOSE

A defined mandate.

Research shaped around the decision, the audience, and the questions that matter.

02 / DISCIPLINE

Transparent analysis.

Sources, assumptions, and information gaps made visible so findings can be examined.

03 / APPLICATION

Practical direction.

Clear briefings and research-supported options that help frame the next step.

FOUNDER & CEOMatthew William Bardsley

U.S. Army Veteran · Fort Myers, Florida

Define your next research engagement
06 / COMMON QUESTIONS

Before we
get started.

What does a typical engagement include?+

A defined research question, an agreed scope and timeline, and a written deliverable or briefing. The exact format is set before work begins.

How is pricing determined?+

Projects start at $495 for a Focused Brief, $1,495 for a Strategic Assessment, and $3,495 for Extended Research. These are project fees, not hourly rates. The final fixed quote reflects the agreed scope, depth, and deadline. See our pricing section or request a scope discussion.

What information should I send first?+

A short description of your objective, the decision you need to make, and your ideal timeline. Please keep the initial inquiry general; use it to arrange any appropriate handling of sensitive information.

Is Rook Vantage a government agency?+

No. Rook Vantage LLC is an independent business. No government affiliation, endorsement, contract award, clearance, or certification is implied.

What are the boundaries of the research?+

Engagements are based on lawful public-source research within an agreed scope. Services described here do not include licensed private investigation, legal advice, investment advice, or classified information handling.

07 / START A CONVERSATION

Tell us the decision.
We’ll help frame the work.

Request a no-charge, 15-minute introductory discussion. Share your objective and timing; we’ll assess fit and outline an appropriate scope.

Mbardsley24@gmail.com ↗
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA · BY APPOINTMENT

What happens nextYour inquiry starts a scoping conversation. A written proposal follows once the objective, deliverables, timing, and fee are clear.

Send a general project inquiry directly from this page. FormSubmit processes the form and forwards it to our Gmail inbox; it retains submissions for 30 days. Please do not include confidential, sensitive, or classified information. If submission fails, copy your inquiry or email us directly.

Privacy notice

This site does not add analytics or advertising trackers, and does not require an account. When you submit the contact form, your contact details and inquiry are sent to FormSubmit for processing and forwarding to Rook Vantage’s Gmail inbox. FormSubmit states that it retains submissions for 30 days. See its privacy terms and retention documentation.

Rook Vantage uses inquiry information to respond and discuss a potential engagement. The receiving email provider processes the message, and correspondence may remain in the business inbox. Hosting, email, and form providers may process technical information needed to deliver their services. To request deletion of inquiry correspondence, contact us at the address below.

The project finder runs locally in your browser; entries are only shared if you choose to email them. Do not send confidential, sensitive, or classified information in an initial inquiry. You may email us directly instead of using the form.

Questions: Mbardsley24@gmail.com