RVJ International, Inc., B-292161; B-292161.2, July 2, 2003

RVJ International, Inc., B-292161; B-292161.2, July 2, 2003 TITLE: RVJ International, Inc., B-292161; B-292161.2, July 2, 2003 BNUMBER: B-292161; B-292161.2 DATE: July 2, 2003 ********************************************************************** RVJ International, Inc., B-292161; B-292161.2, July 2, 2003 DOCUMENT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE The decision issued on the date below was subject to a GAO Protective Order. This redacted version has been approved for public release. Decision Matter of: RVJ International, Inc. File: B-292161; B-292161.2 Date: July 2, 2003 J. Patrick McMahon, Esq., and William T. Welch, Esq., Barton, Baker, McMahon & Tolle, for the protester. Brett L. Antonides, Esq., for McDonald Bradley, Inc., an intervenor. Kenneth M. Hyde, Esq., Department of Housing & Urban Development, for the agency. Sharon L. Larkin, Esq., and James A. Spangenberg, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST 1. Agency reasonably downgraded protester's quotation under staffing/resources subfactor where technical submission failed to demonstrate positions and skill levels for six of seven areas of performance. 2. Agency reasonably downgraded protester's quotation under key personnel subfactor where the agency was reasonably concerned that the protester's project manager, who was also the company president, would not be able to effectively perform both jobs concurrently. 3. In a procurement involving vendors under the Federal Supply Schedule program, agency gave appropriate weight to price in conducting reasonable comparative analysis of quotations and selecting the higher technically rated, higher-priced vendor for award. 4. There is no requirement for source selection officials to attend oral presentations. DECISION RVJ International, Inc. protests the award of a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) and task order to McDonald Bradley, Inc. under request for quotation (RFQ) No. R‑OPC-22294, issued by the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) under the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program, to provide computer help desk services to HUD's Office of Multifamily Housing. RVJ challenges the agency's evaluation and contends that there were improprieties in the conduct of the oral presentation. We deny the protests. HUD is responsible for the oversight and management of programs to provide affordable rental housing to low and moderate income households. The programs collectively are known as *Multifamily Housing Programs.* To support these programs, HUD maintains a number of computerized systems and databases to process data. These systems include the Tenant Rental Assistance Certification System (TRACS), the Active Partner Performance System (APPS), the Multifamily Delinquency and Default Reporting System (MDDR), the Data Quality Information System (DQIS), the Mark-to-Market System (M2M), the Real Estate Management System (REMS), and the Development Application Processing System (DAP). Each system provides a separate data processing function relating to the Multi-Family Housing Programs.[1] To assist participants with using each of the computerized systems, HUD currently provides computer help desk services through a variety of vendors under separate contracting arrangements. Under one such arrangement, RVJ has been providing help desk services for the TRACS since 1997. To *improve continuity of support and services* and to provide *a more efficient and streamlined process for responding and assisting Multifamily Housing customers and users with their inquires,* HUD desires to consolidate and integrate the help desk services for the seven systems, and make award to a single contractor. Contracting Officer's Statement P: 4. On August 30, 2002, HUD issued the RFQ, which seeks to procure the services from a General Services Administration (GSA) schedule contractor in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 8.4. The RFQ provides for *a single award Firm-Fixed Price . . . Indefinite-Quantity contract, to also include the award of Task Order No. 1,* with a period of performance under the contract (including all task orders) of 53 months; the minimum and maximum contract values are $352,000 and $4.9 million, respectively. RFQ at 1. Enclosed with the RFQ was a detailed performance work statement (PWS), which discusses each computer system individually and describes in detail the support services required. Also enclosed were instructions for quotation preparation and evaluation factors for award. The RFQ states that award would be made to the vendor who *represents the best value to the Government,* and lists four technical factors that it states are of equal importance: technical capability, project management, past performance, and personnel.