PADCO, Inc.

B-270445 Mar 06, 1996 Jump To VIEW DECISION RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights Agency's acceptance of proposed individual who had less than the required level of language proficiency was not prejudicial to the protester where the protester's own nominee had a similar deficiency and also was found acceptable. Protest of agency's evaluation of the qualifications of the awardee's proposed key employee is denied where the record shows that the evaluation was reasonable and was conducted in accordance with the solicitation's evaluation criteria. Unavailability of host country officials to participate in the evaluation of proposals as specified in a solicitation for contract for assistance in developing host country housing does not invalidate evaluation that was reasonable and in accordance with the solicitation's evaluation criteria. View Decision Matter of: PADCO, Inc. File: B-270445 Date: March 6, 1996 Agency's acceptance of proposed individual who had less than the required level of language proficiency was not prejudicial to the protester where the protester's own nominee had a similar deficiency and also was found acceptable. Protest of agency's evaluation of the qualifications of the awardee's proposed key employee is denied where the record shows that the evaluation was reasonable and was conducted in accordance with the solicitation's evaluation criteria. Unavailability of host country officials to participate in the evaluation of proposals as specified in a solicitation for contract for assistance in developing host country housing does not invalidate evaluation that was reasonable and in accordance with the solicitation's evaluation criteria. Attorneys DECISION PADCO, Inc. protests the award of a contract to Technical Support Services, Inc. (TSS) by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under request for proposals (RFP) No. MOROCCO 95-P-003. PADCO challenges the award to TSS because, according to the protester, the awardee's proposal did not offer long-term personnel who conformed with the RFP requirements and the agency failed to follow its announced evaluation scheme. We deny the protest. The USAID office in Morocco issued the RFP on June 9, 1995, to obtain the services of a technical support contractor for an "Urban and Environmental Support" project that is part of a larger program to aid Morocco in alleviating and resolving problems with substandard housing and environmental services. The RFP contemplated a 4-year cost reimbursement contract for long- and short-term technical assistance and training to assist Moroccan agencies and municipalities. The contractor's effort was to be headed initially by a "Chief of Party" (COP), and by a project planning specialist who would be responsible for seconding the COP in all management and technical oversight and would be expected to replace the COP in the final year of the contract. The RFP stated that the COP would be responsible for managing all contract components and activities and would serve as the contractor's technical representative in interactions with both USAID and the Government of Morocco. The COP was also to have primary responsibility for ensuring that all USAID project implementation regulations and procedures were followed. The RFP required that the COP and the planning specialist have French and English language proficiency at least at Foreign Service Institute equivalent S3/R3. The RFP suggested that the COP be an expatriate and that the planning specialist be a Moroccan national or other resident hire. The RFP stated that offerors could suggest alternate personnel configurations, so long as they explained their deviations from USAID's suggestions, and that the COP did not have to be a leading expert in any particular aspect of the field because that expertise could be provided through the contractor's short-term personnel.