TN-KY Contractors, B-291997.2, May 5, 2003

B-291997.2 May 05, 2003 Jump To VIEW DECISION RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights Which does not have an unlimited scope of work. Other items and services necessary to ensure that grounds maintenance is performed at Fort Campbell. In a manner that will maintain healthy grass. "[grass] height is a guideline for a neat and professional appearance.". Grass height tolerances for designated areas are set forth in the following five contract line items (CLIN): CLIN 0001 (Child Care Area). Offerors were advised that it is the "responsibility of the contractor to maintain [the] grass at the heights indicated in the bid schedule [i.e. Were included with the RFP. Offerors were informed that performance would "typically occur during a seven-month mowing period. The RFP does not specify the number of cuts that are required during the performance period. View Decision TN-KY Contractors, B-291997.2, May 5, 2003 DIGEST Attorneys DECISION TN-KY Contractors protests the terms of requests for proposal (RFP) No. DABK09-03-R-0004, issued by the Department of the Army for ground maintenance services at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. TN-KY contends that the requested monthly fixed-price for grass cutting services unreasonably shifts cost risk to the offerors, and that grass cutting should be priced on a "per cut" basis. We deny the protest. The RFP seeks the performance of grounds maintenance services, including "mowing, edging, trimming, removing debris, and repairing Contractor damaged areas." In this regard, the selected contractor "shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, supervision, and other items and services necessary to ensure that grounds maintenance is performed at Fort Campbell, [Kentucky], in a manner that will maintain healthy grass, and present a clean, neat, and professional appearance." As indicated in the solicitation, "[grass] height is a guideline for a neat and professional appearance." RFP at 39. Grass height tolerances for designated areas are set forth in the following five contract line items (CLIN): CLIN 0001 (Child Care Area)--maintain grass to 11/2- to 3-inch height cut (311 acres); CLIN 0002 (Inside Fort Campbell Cantonment Area)--maintain grass to 2- to 5-inch height cut (1457 acres); CLIN 0003 (Airfield Areas)--maintain grass to 2- to 5-inch height cut (2344 acres); CLIN 0004 (Housing Areas)--maintain grass to 11/2- to 3-inch height cut (584 acres); and CLIN 0005 (Back Area Road/Road Shoulders)--maintain grass to 5- to 7-inch cut (829 acres). RFP at 3-4, 39. Offerors were advised that it is the "responsibility of the contractor to maintain [the] grass at the heights indicated in the bid schedule [i.e., CLINS]," and that the "maximum height listed for each level shall not be exceeded at any time." A "Grass Mowing Contract Performance Areas Map," and other area maps, were included with the RFP, and offerors were informed that performance would "typically occur during a seven-month mowing period, (April through October); however, for the purpose of this requirement, an eight month mowing season has been established," and the "[c]ost for the mowing season shall be spread over 8 months." RFP at 39. The RFP does not specify the number of cuts that are required during the performance period, leaving to the offerors how best to meet the performance requirements. /1/ As contemplated by the RFP, the Army conducted a pre-proposal conference on January 14, 2003. Prospective offerors could submit questions concerning the solicitation in writing at any time up until the pre-proposal conference. The Army responded to the questions in subsequent amendments to the RFP. The pre-proposal conference included a site visit during which prospective offerors could inspect the Fort Campbell vegetation, or offerors could make separate arrangements by telephone for a site visit. AR at 2-3; RFP at 82. TN-KY did not attend the pre-proposal conference, participate in the site visit, or submit any questions at that time. The closing date for receipt of proposals was February 18. On or about February 13, TN-KY submitted a list of handwritten questions to the Army, to which the contracting officer responded in part on February 13, referred the remaining questions to the technical team for answers, and attempted to relay those answers to the protester on February 18. TN-KY was informed that the proposal closing date would not be extended. On February 18, TN-KY submitted an agency-level protest, contending that the pricing requirements of the RFP should be changed for grass cutting from a monthly to a "per cut by delivery order" basis. The Army denied the protest that same day, and this protest followed. TN-KY contends that the pricing structure of the RFP unreasonably shifts the cost risk to the contractor. According to protester, "TN-KY cannot determine what price to put in nor can any other offeror, because . . . [t]here is no limitation on the amount of work that can be ordered . . .