B-296493.5, Advanced Technology Systems, Inc., September 26, 2006

B-296493.5 Sep 26, 2006 Jump To VIEW DECISION DOWNLOADS RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights Advanced Technology Systems, Inc. (ATS) protests the award of a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to Pyramid Systems Inc. (PSI) under that firm's General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract, pursuant to request for quotations (RFQ) No. R-OPC-22661 for operational support and corrective maintenance services in support of the HUD Tenant Rental Assistance Certification System (TRACS). ATS argues that the agency's evaluation of vendors' quotations was unreasonable and the subsequent source selection decision improper. We deny the protest. View Decision B-296493.5, Advanced Technology Systems, Inc., September 26, 2006 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: Advanced Technology Systems, Inc. File: B-296493.5 Date: September 26, 2006 William A. Roberts III, Esq., Richard B. O'Keeffe Jr., Esq., and Michael S. Caldwell, Esq., Wiley Rein & Fielding, for the protester. Jonathan D. Shaffer, Esq., John S. Pachter, Esq., Tamara F. Dunlap, Esq., and Mary Pat Gregory, Esq., Smith Pachter McWhorter PLC, for Pyramid Systems Inc., an intervenor. R. Ren- Dupuy, Esq., and Joseph L. Brinkley, Esq., Department of Housing and Urban Development, for the agency. Louis A. Chiarella, Esq., and Christine S. Melody, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST 1. Protest challenging the evaluation of technical proposals is denied where the record establishes that the agency's evaluation was reasonable and consistent with the evaluation criteria. 2. Protest challenging the evaluation of vendors' past performance is denied where the record establishes that the agency's evaluation was reasonable and consistent with the stated evaluation criteria. 3. An agency's unreasonable conclusions regarding the awardee's proposed staffing levels did not prejudice the protester since these conclusions were not a material element in the agency's determination that the awardee's higher technically rated, higher-priced quotation represented the best value to the government. DECISION Advanced Technology Systems, Inc. (ATS) protests the award of a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to Pyramid Systems Inc. (PSI) under that firm's General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract, pursuant to request for quotations (RFQ) No. R-OPC-22661 for operational support and corrective maintenance services in support of the HUD Tenant Rental Assistance Certification System (TRACS).[1] ATS argues that the agency's evaluation of vendors' quotations was unreasonable and the subsequent source selection decision improper. We deny the protest. BACKGROUND TRACS is a computer system developed to help improve HUD's financial controls over agency-administered multifamily housing assistance programs, by automating manual procedures and incorporating automated controls. TRACS represents HUD's official source of data on multifamily housing subsidy contracts, tenant rental assistance information, and voucher payments. TRACS is designed to collect tenant data, certify tenant eligibility for financial assistance under various project-based assistance programs, authorize payment, and then process requests for payment (vouchers) to project owners, management agents, and other third-party contract administrators. In fiscal year 2003, TRACS processed approximately 221,000 financial transactions worth approximately $4.7 billion. As currently configured, TRACS consists of three primary business systems and seven significant subsystems that together provide HUD with an integrated tenant/voucher/contract data database and corresponding financial management system. Agency Report (AR), July 20, 2006, at 3-4; Tab 2, HUD Request for Contract Services, at 8. The RFQ, issued on August 20, 2004, contemplated the award of a fixed-price BPA for a base year with four 1-year options to provide various supporting maintenance, development, and project management services in furtherance of TRACS.[2] The solicitation included a performance work statement (PWS), instructions to vendors on the submission of quotations, and evaluation factors for award. The RFQ identified five evaluation factors, all of equal importance: technical capability; project management; past performance; staffing and resources; and price. Award was to be made to the vendor whose written quotation and oral presentation were determined to be the –best value— to the government, all factors considered. RFQ amend.