Consummate Computer Consultants Systems, LLC

B-410566.2 Jun 08, 2015 Jump To FULL REPORT VIEW DECISION RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights Consummate Computer Consultants Systems, LLC (Consummate), a small business located in Washington, DC, protests the issuance of a task order to Cloud Nine Technologies, Inc. (Cloud Nine), of Herndon, VA, under request for quotations (RFQ) No. DU100F-14-R-0001, issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for information technology (IT) services. Consummate challenges HUD's finding that its quote was technically unacceptable. We deny the protest. We deny the protest. View Decision 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: Consummate Computer Consultants Systems, LLC File: B-410566.2 Date: June 8, 2015 Gregory S. Jacobs, Esq., Erin L. Felix, Esq., and Grace O. Aduroja, Esq., Polsinelli PC, for the protester. Kasey Podzius, Esq., and Julie Cannatti, Esq., Department of Housing and Urban Development, for the agency. K. Nicole Willems, Esq., and Jennifer Westfall-McGrail, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST Protest of agency’s technical evaluation in a lowest-price, technically-acceptable procurement is denied where the record demonstrates that the agency’s evaluation was reasonable and consistent with the terms of the solicitation. DECISION Consummate Computer Consultants Systems, LLC (Consummate), a small business located in Washington, DC, protests the issuance of a task order to Cloud Nine Technologies, Inc. (Cloud Nine), of Herndon, VA, under request for quotations (RFQ) No. DU100F-14-R-0001, issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for information technology (IT) services.[1] Consummate challenges HUD’s finding that its quote was technically unacceptable. We deny the protest. BACKGROUND HUD issued the RFQ on March 19, 2014, under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 8.4 procedures. RFQ at 1, 10. The RFQ, which was set aside for small businesses, was issued to vendors holding Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts under General Services Administration (GSA) Information Technology Schedule 70. Id. at 10. The RFQ contemplated the issuance of a task order for IT services for HUD’s policy and research information server (PARIS), for a 1-year base period and four option years. Id. PARIS supports the research and analytic mission of HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research. Agency Report (AR) at 1. The RFQ established a lowest-price, technically-acceptable selection process, considering the following technical factors: (1) key personnel, and (2) management plan. RFQ at 123. Regarding the first factor, vendors were directed to list proposed key personnel and provide resumes (not to exceed two pages each) showing that the key personnel met the minimum qualifications set forth in the RFQ.[2] Id. at 121; AR, Tab 6, Amendment 4 at 114. The minimum qualifications for the key positions generally pertained to educational credentials, years/areas of experience, and skill area proficiencies. For example, the minimum qualifications for project manager included a bachelor’s degree in one of several specified disciplines, 10 years of general experience in information systems, and--of particular relevance to this protest--“[d]emonstrated experience in using Earned Value Management (EVM) principles to manage projects,” as well as “[d]emonstrated experience in project management in a research environment similar to HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research.” RFQ at 116. The RFQ provided that HUD would evaluate whether the resumes demonstrated relevant prior experience, qualifications, education, and certification for personnel proposed to fill the key positions identified in the RFQ. Id. at 123. With respect to the management plan technical factor, vendors were directed to provide a clear, concise management plan that would result in meeting the objectives and requirements contained within the performance work statement (PWS). Id. at 121. The management plan was to include each of the following elements: key personnel and responsibilities; proposed subcontracting arrangements and reporting relationships of all subcontractors; communications and coordination plans; schedules of all tasks and subtasks, meetings, and deliverables; clear lines of authority; a quality control plan; a cost and schedule baseline spreadsheet for each task that includes labor rates for each employee; and labor mix. Id. The agency received ten quotes prior to the April 17, 2014, due date. The agency ranked the quotes by price; the protester’s quote was the second lowest-priced, and Cloud Nine’s was third lowest in price.