Vencore, Inc.

B-416994.2,B-416994.3 Jun 17, 2019 Jump To FULL REPORT VIEW DECISION RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights Vencore, Inc., of Chantilly, Virginia, protests the issuance of a task order to BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., of Rockville, Maryland, by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under request for proposals (RFP) No. 70QS0118R00001003, which was issued for systems engineering and integration (SE&I) support services. Vencore argues that DHS improperly and prejudicially waived the solicitation's font and page limit requirements for the awardee, and also argues that the agency unreasonably and unequally evaluated the protester's and awardee's technical proposals. 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:  Vencore, Inc. File:  B-416994.2; B-416994.3 Date:  June 17, 2019 Michael F. Mason, Esq., Stacy M. Hadeka, Esq., Christina A. Reynolds, Esq., Adilene Rosales, Esq., and Robert Taylor, Esq., Hogan Lovells US LLP, for the protester. Jamie F. Tabb, Esq., Tyler E. Robinson, Esq., Elizabeth Krabill McIntyre, Esq., Ryan D. Stalnaker, Esq., and Caroline E. Colpoys, Esq., Vinson & Elkins LLP, for BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., the intervenor. Christian M. Butler, Esq., and Pavan Mehrotra, Esq., Department of Homeland Security, for the agency. Jonathan L. Kang, Esq., and Laura Eyester, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST 1.  Protest that the awardee’s proposal failed to follow the solicitation’s font and page requirements is denied where the protester’s proposal also failed to follow the instructions, and the waiver of this requirement for both offerors did not result in prejudice to the protester. 2.  Protest challenging the agency’s evaluation of technical proposals is denied where the agency’s evaluation was reasonable and consistent with the solicitation, with the exception of two non-prejudicial instances of unequal treatment. DECISION Vencore, Inc., of Chantilly, Virginia, protests the issuance of a task order to BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc., of Rockville, Maryland, by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under request for proposals (RFP) No. 70QS0118R00001003, which was issued for systems engineering and integration (SE&I) support  services.  Vencore argues that DHS improperly and prejudicially waived the solicitation’s font and page limit requirements for the awardee, and also argues that the agency unreasonably and unequally evaluated the protester’s and awardee’s technical proposals.  We deny the protest. BACKGROUND DHS issued the solicitation on May 25, 2018, seeking proposals to provide SE&I support services in support of DHS’s Office of Cybersecurity and Communications (CS&C).  Contracting Officer’s Statement (COS) at 1.  The successful offeror[1] will be required to provide “architecture planning, planning, requirements management, data management, systems engineering, modeling and simulation, security management, testing, post implementation review, system training management and quality and process management support” for the DHS Network Security Deployment (NSD) division, which is the “cybersecurity engineering and acquisition ‘Center of Excellence’ within CS&C.”  Agency Report (AR), Tab B.2, Statement of Work (SOW), at 7, 14.  Vencore is the incumbent contractor for these requirements.  Protest at 6.  The competition was limited to firms who hold one of the General Services Administration’s Alliant multiple‑award IDIQ contracts.  AR, Tab B.2, RFP, at 2.[2]  The RFP anticipated the issuance of a cost-plus-fixed-fee task order with a base period of 6 months, four 1-year options, and one 6‑month option.  Id. at 5.  The solicitation stated that proposals would be evaluated based on cost, and the following three non-cost factors, which were listed in descending order of importance:  (1) technical approach, (2) key personnel, and (3) management approach.  Id. at 68.  For purposes of award, the non-cost factors were, when combined, “significantly more important” than cost.  Id. DHS received proposals from two offerors, Vencore and BAE, by the closing date of June 28.  COS at 1.  The agency initially issued the task order to BAE in September 2018.  Id.  Vencore filed a protest with our Office challenging the award on October 9.  On November 7, prior to filing its report on the protest, the agency advised our Office that it would take corrective action in response to the protest by reevaluating proposals.  Vencore, Inc., B-416994, Nov.