Vector Planning & Services, Inc

B-415005 Nov 08, 2017 Jump To VIEW DECISION DOWNLOADS RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights Vector Planning & Services, Inc., (VPSI) a small business of San Diego, California, protests the issuance of a task order to SBG Technologies Solutions, Inc., a small business of Stafford, Virginia, by the Department of the Navy, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command under request for task order proposals (RFTOP) No. N00039-17-R-3045 for systems engineering support services for the Program Executive Office for Space Systems, the Navy Communications Satellite Program Office. VPSI contends that the Navy's evaluation of proposals and the award decision were unreasonable. 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:  Vector Planning & Services, Inc. File:  B-415005 Date:  November 8, 2017 Cynthia Malyszek, Esq., Malyszek & Malyszek, for the protester. Theresa Chesnut, Esq., Cheryl R. Parker, Esq., Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, for the agency. Young S. Lee, Esq., and Amy B. Pereira, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST 1.  Protest challenging the agency's evaluation of awardee's past performance is denied where the agency reasonably evaluated prior efforts as being relevant. 2.  Protest challenging the agency's evaluation of technical proposal is denied where the evaluation was reasonable and consistent with the solicitation, or without prejudice to the protester as a result of the alleged errors. 3.  Protest challenging the agency's cost realism evaluation is denied where the record demonstrates that the agency's conclusions were reasonable. 4.  Protest challenging the agency's best-value decision is denied where record shows that the agency's award decision was reasonable and consistent with the terms of the solicitation.  DECISION Vector Planning & Services, Inc., (VPSI) a small business of San Diego, California, protests the issuance of a task order to SBG Technologies Solutions, Inc., a small business of Stafford, Virginia, by the Department of the Navy, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command under request for task order proposals (RFTOP) No. N00039-17-R-3045 for systems engineering support services for the Program Executive Office for Space Systems, the Navy Communications Satellite Program Office.  VPSI contends that the Navy's evaluation of proposals and the award decision were unreasonable. We deny the protest.  BACKGROUND On December 15, 2016, the Navy issued the RFTOP as a small business set-aside to holders of the Navy's Seaport-e multiple award contract, pursuant to the "fair opportunity" provisions of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 16.5.  Agency Report (AR), Tab 3, RFTOP, at 1, 58; Tab 6, Business Clearance Memorandum (BCM), at 6.  The solicitation contemplated the issuance of a cost-plus-fixed-fee task order with a six-month base period and five option periods.[1]  RFTOP at 13, 16.  The RFTOP provided that award would be made on a best-value tradeoff basis, considering the following six factors:  (1) organizational experience; (2) sample problems; (3) technical capability/management approach; (4) key personnel qualifications; (5) past performance; and (6) cost.  Id. at 58.  The non-cost factors were listed in descending order of importance and, when combined, were more important than cost.  Id. The solicitation, under the organizational experience factor, instructed offerors to describe their relevant organizational experience in performing and managing tasks similar to those required by the Performance Work Statement (PWS).  Id. at 49.  Relevant organizational experience was defined as work of a similar nature, scope, size and complexity as that required by the PWS.  Id.  Proposals were to be evaluated based on the extent to which they demonstrated relevant corporate experience, knowledge, and capability to perform PWS requirements.  Id. at 59.  With regard to the technical capability/management approach factor, offerors were required to describe their proposed overall technical capability and management approach for accomplishing and managing PWS tasks.  Id. at 50.  Proposals were required to also identify the offeror's organizational structure, lines of communication and overall management of work flow.  Id.  Additionally, offerors were to describe how they would implement their staffing plan, their approach to hiring and retaining qualified personnel, and how they would manage personnel turnover.  Id.  Proposals were to be evaluated based on the extent to which the offeror's approach met the requirement of the PWS, including organizational structure, subcontractors, lines of authority and functional areas of responsibility.  Id.