Wittenberg Weiner Consulting, LLC

B-413460 Oct 31, 2016 Jump To VIEW DECISION DOWNLOADS RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights Wittenberg Weiner Consulting, LLC (WWC), of Tampa, Florida, protests the terms of request for quotations (RFQ) No. N68171-16-T-0092, issued by the Department of the Navy, Naval Supply Systems Command, for analyst services. WWC challenges the Navy's use of a lowest-priced, technically-acceptable (LPTA) evaluation scheme to obtain the required services. We deny the protest. We deny the protest. View Decision Decision Matter of:  Wittenberg Weiner Consulting, LLC File:  B-413460 Date:  October 31, 2016 Lauren G. Wittenberg, Wittenberg Weiner Consulting, LLC, for the protester. Scott E. Miller, Esq., and Robert Kois, Esq., Department of the Navy, for the agency. Paula J. Haurilesko, Esq., and Tania Calhoun, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST Protest challenging the agency’s use of a lowest-priced, technically-acceptable evaluation scheme is denied where the record shows that the agency reasonably exercised its judgment and included in the solicitation provisions to address concerns raised by the protester. DECISION Wittenberg Weiner Consulting, LLC (WWC), of Tampa, Florida, protests the terms of request for quotations (RFQ) No. N68171-16-T-0092, issued by the Department of the Navy, Naval Supply Systems Command, for analyst services.  WWC challenges the Navy’s use of a lowest-priced, technically-acceptable (LPTA) evaluation scheme to obtain the required services.[1] We deny the protest. BACKGROUND The RFQ was issued as a set-aside for small business concerns holding contracts under the General Services Administration’s Mission Oriented Business Integration Services (MOBIS) multiple-award schedule.  The RFQ contemplates the award of a fixed-price, level-of-effort contract for senior, mid-level, and junior analysts to support Naval Supply Systems Command, Fleet Logistics Center business operations in Sigonella and Naples, Italy, and in Rota, Spain, for a one-year period of performance.  Contracting Officer’s Statement at 1; RFQ at 3-5. The RFQ incorporates a performance work statement (PWS) that identifies a variety of tasks to be performed under the contract, such as: ·  Creating drafts of new work procedures guides; ·  Updating existing departmental instructions, letters of designation and qualifications to ensure that information and references are current; ·  Reviewing staffing data for gaps between actual and planned staffing; ·  Gathering, evaluating, and analyzing data to support the Fleet Logistics Center business office in financial and administrative projects, operational initiatives, and compliance requirements; ·  Developing a Fleet Logistics Center-wide administrative correspondence tracking tool using commercially available software tools, such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access; ·  Gathering and analyzing data for monthly fuel expenditures; consolidated reporting of departmental training, staffing, timekeeping, and travel; performance metrics; and satisfying data calls; and ·  Preparing management oversight board meeting briefings. RFQ, PWS, at 5-7. The RFQ states that a contract will be awarded to the responsible vendor whose quotation is technically acceptable and offers the lowest evaluated price.  RFQ at 19.  In addition to price, quotations will be evaluated for technical capability and past performance.  Id.  To be acceptable under the technical capability factor, vendors are required to provide resumes for senior, mid-level, and junior analysts demonstrating that they meet the RFQ’s educational and experience requirements.  The individual proposed for the senior analyst position is required to have a master’s degree and at least five years of professional experience in a business administration, program management, financial, engineering, or accounting discipline, including experience in developing management reports and conducting analyses for management initiatives.  Id. at 7.  For the mid-level and junior analyst positions, either the college degree or the professional experience must be in one of the above disciplines.  Id.  Additionally, the RFQ stated that for any individual not currently employed by the vendor, the vendor must submit a contingency hire letter or similar statement signed by the individual indicating an agreement to work in the proposed position.  Id.