Triad Logistics Services Corporation

B-417621.2 Nov 05, 2019 Jump To FULL REPORT VIEW DECISION RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights Triad Logistics Services Corporation, of Melbourne, Florida, the incumbent contractor, protests the award of a contract to LOGMET, LLC, of Austin, Texas, under request for quotations (RFQ) No. FA8501-19-R-A002, issued by the Department of the Air Force for airfield management operations services. Triad alleges that the Air Force unreasonably evaluated LOGMET's past performance, and as a result, made an improper selection decision. 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:  Triad Logistics Services Corporation File:  B-417621.2 Date:  November 5, 2019 Joseph M. Goldstein, Esq., and Andrew E. Schwartz, Esq., Shutts & Bowen LLP, for the protester. Christopher C. Bouquet, Esq., The Law Office of Christopher C. Bouquet, PLLC, for LOGMET, LLC, the intervenor. Colonel Patricia S. Wiegman-Lenz, Michael J. Farr, Esq., and James M. Peeler, Esq., Department of the Air Force, for the agency. Todd C. Culliton, Esq., and Tania Calhoun, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST Protest that the agency unreasonably evaluated the awardee’s past performance is denied where the record shows that the agency looked beyond the adjectival ratings to evaluate the comparative merit of the quotations, and the agency considered the complexity of the referenced efforts in accordance with the solicitation’s evaluation criteria. DECISION Triad Logistics Services Corporation, of Melbourne, Florida, the incumbent contractor, protests the award of a contract to LOGMET, LLC, of Austin, Texas, under request for quotations (RFQ) No. FA8501‑19‑R‑A002, issued by the Department of the Air Force for airfield management operations services.  Triad alleges that the Air Force unreasonably evaluated LOGMET’s past performance, and as a result, made an improper selection decision. We deny the protest. BACKGROUND On February 28, 2019, the Air Force issued the RFQ for airfield management operations services at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, to be performed over a 1‑year base period and four 1-year option periods.  Contracting Officer’s Statement (COS) at 3; RFQ at 14-15.  Award would be made on a best‑value tradeoff basis, considering technical, technical risk, past performance, and price factors.  RFQ at 88.  In making the award, the agency would first assess whether each quotation was technically acceptable, and then make a tradeoff between technical risk, past performance, and price.  Id.  Technical risk and past performance were equally important, and, when combined, were significantly more important than price.  Id.  The technical and technical risk factors were comprised of three subfactors:  program management plan; recruitment, retention, and transition plan; and mission essential plan.  Id. at 89. Six vendors, including Triad and LOGMET, submitted quotations prior to the April 12, closing date.  COS at 7.  The agency conducted “fact-finding interchanges” with vendors to clarify past performance and proposed prices, as necessary.  Id.  The Air Force clarified the dollar value for airfield management operations for one of LOGMET’s past performance references.  Agency Report (AR), Tab 22, LOGMET Interchange Notice, at 1-2.  Following its evaluation, the agency selected LOGMET for award and notified the remaining vendors that their quotations were unsuccessful on May 22.  COS at 16.  On May 29, Triad filed a protest with our Office.  On June 28, the Air Force informed us that it would reevaluate quotations and make a new award decision, and as a result, we dismissed the protest as academic.  Triad Logistics Servs. Corp., B‑417621, July 3, 2019 (unpublished decision).  The Air Force then engaged in technical and pricing interchanges with each vendor, but after receiving responses, determined that a reevaluation was unnecessary.  COS at 17.  The agency’s evaluation results were as follows:   Triad LOGMET Program Management (Technical) Acceptable Acceptable Recruitment, Retention, and Transition Plan (Technical) Acceptable Acceptable Mission Essential Plan (Technical) Acceptable Acceptable Program Management (Technical Risk) Low Low Recruitment, Retention, and Transition Plan (Technical Risk) Low Low Mission Essential Plan (Technical Risk) Low Low Past Performance Substantial Confidence Substantial Confidence Price $5,313,311 $5,208,746   AR, Tab 25, Decision Document (DD), at 11.  Based on the results, the Source Selection Authority (SSA) determined that LOGMET’s quotation represented the best value.  Id.