PCT Services, Inc, B-279168, May 12, 1998

B-279168 May 12, 1998 Jump To VIEW DECISION RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights DIGEST Protest challenging agency's past performance risk assessment is denied where the protester's performance risk rating was reasonably based on the agency's experience with the protester under prior contracts and performance questionnaire responses from other government sources. PCT contends that the agency's evaluation of its past performance risk was improper. The technical factor was considered most important. While past performance and price were considered equal in importance. PCT was the lowest evaluated price offeror under each solicitation. From Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) and Fort Knox Army Hospital (both facilities were listed in PCT's past performance proposals). The firm's management performance was rated marginal because of its failure to meet payroll. View Decision Matter of: PCT Services, Inc File: B-279168 Date: May 12, 1998 * Redacted Decision DIGEST Attorneys DECISION PCT Services, Inc. protests the award of three contracts to Riteway, Inc. under requests for proposals (RFP) Nos. F41622-97-0030, F41622-97-R-0032, and F41622-97-R-0036, issued by the Department of the Air Force for commercial hospital aseptic management system (HAMS) services at three Air Force Bases (AFB). PCT contends that the agency's evaluation of its past performance risk was improper. We deny the protest. The RFPs, issued on November 18, 1997, provided for the award of fixed-price contracts for a base period and four 1-year options. /1/ The RFPs stated that the awardee would be selected on a best value basis considering technical, past performance and price factors; the technical factor was considered most important, while past performance and price were considered equal in importance. The RFPs required offerors to submit present and past performance information for relevant contracts performed within the past 2 years and advised that the agency would conduct a risk assessment based on the offeror's past performance, rating them on a scale of not applicable, high, moderate, or low risk. /2/ In assessing past performance risk, the RFPs stated that the evaluators would review the present and past performance information required by the RFPs, seek present and past performance information through the use of simplified performance questionnaires, /3/ and use data independently obtained from other government and commercial sources. Under the performance risk/price tradeoff set forth in the RFPs, award would be made to the lowest evaluated price, technically acceptable offeror if it received a low performance risk rating, but award could be made to other than the lowest priced offeror if that offeror received other than a low performance risk rating. By the December 9 closing date, the Air Force received several proposals in response to each RFP. PCT was the lowest evaluated price offeror under each solicitation, but it received a moderate performance risk rating based upon the performance questionnaire responses and the evaluators' own knowledge of PCT's prior performance. PCT has five HAMS contracts with the Air Force, at Altus, Columbus, Dover, Patrick, and Kirtland AFBs. In assessing PCT's performance risk, the agency considered the responses received from Altus, Columbus, Dover, and Patrick AFBs; and from Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) and Fort Knox Army Hospital (both facilities were listed in PCT's past performance proposals). Altus AFB, Dover AFB, and Fort Knox Army Hospital each rated PCT's performance satisfactory overall. While Columbus AFB reported PCT's performance excellent in many areas, the firm's management performance was rated marginal because of its failure to meet payroll, to furnish and maintain the supplies necessary to perform, and failure to maintain a certified executive housekeeper at Columbus AFB from 1995 through 1997. Patrick AFB rated the firm's performance unacceptable in training, quality, and work scheduling; in the areas of management, housekeeping, and the medical facility plan it rated the firm marginal. At BAMC, PCT's performance was rated marginal in the areas of management, quality, work scheduling, and infection control requirements; other areas were rated satisfactory. The facility managers at Patrick AFB and BAMC stated, that given what they know now about PCT's performance, they definitely would not award to PCT if they had a choice. The Columbus AFB facility manager stated that he probably would not award to PCT again. In addition, the agency's contracting office reported problems in negotiating contract changes with PCT because PCT failed to submit timely and complete change proposals. PCT was informed, during discussions, that it was assigned a moderate performance risk rating because of these reported deficiencies and the firm was given an opportunity to submit a response.