IAP World Services, Inc.

B-417824,B-417824.2 Nov 13, 2019 Jump To FULL REPORT VIEW DECISION RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights IAP Worldwide Services, Inc., located in Cape Canaveral, Florida, protests the issuance of a task order to IDS International Government Services LLC, a small business located in Arlington, Virginia, under request for proposals (RFP) No. RS3-19-0010, issued by the Department of the Army for services in support of the Cybertropolis Technology Environment Platform (CTEP) at the Atterbury-Muscatatuk Center for Complex Operations (A-MCCO) in Butlerville, Indiana. IAP argues that the agency unreasonably and unequally evaluated technical proposals, improperly adjusted IAP's cost upwards, and conducted a flawed best-value tradeoff determination. The protest is sustained. 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:  IAP Worldwide Services, Inc. File:  B-417824; B-417824.2 Date:  November 13, 2019 J. Alex Ward, Esq., Rachael K. Plymale, Esq., and Lauren J. Horneffer, Esq., Morrison & Foerster LLP, for the protester. Gregory R. Hallmark, Esq., David S. Black, Esq., and Kelsey M. O’Brien, Esq., Holland & Knight LLP, for IDS International Government Services LLC, the intervenor. Lynn A. Marshall, Esq., and William J. Wrabley III, Esq., Department of the Army, for the agency. Alexander O. Levine, Esq., and Jennifer D. Westfall-McGrail, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST 1.  Protest challenging the assessment of a strength for the awardee’s experience recruiting local Afghan personnel is sustained where the agency failed to document its basis for concluding that this experience had any bearing on the instant requirement for cyber-operations support personnel in Indiana. 2.  Protest challenging the assessment of a strength for the awardee’s proposal not to subcontract is sustained where the agency failed to adequately explain its basis for concluding that this approach would benefit the agency. 3.  Protest contending that agency unequally evaluated the protester’s and awardee’s approaches is denied where the agency reasonably credited the awardee with strengths based on unique features in its proposal. DECISION IAP Worldwide Services, Inc., located in Cape Canaveral, Florida, protests the issuance of a task order to IDS International Government Services LLC, a small business located in Arlington, Virginia, under request for proposals (RFP) No. RS3-19-0010, issued by the Department of the Army for services in support of the Cybertropolis Technology Environment Platform (CTEP) at the Atterbury-Muscatatuk Center for Complex Operations (A-MCCO) in Butlerville, Indiana.  IAP argues that the agency unreasonably and unequally evaluated technical proposals, improperly adjusted IAP’s cost upwards, and conducted a flawed best-value tradeoff determination.  We sustain the protest. BACKGROUND On March 29, 2019, the Army issued the RFP under its Responsive Strategic Sourcing for Services contract vehicle, seeking services in support of the CTEP.  The CTEP provides a one-of-a-kind platform for the Department of Defense and its joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational partners to conduct training or research, development, testing and experimentation (RDT&E) in a wide variety of emerging technology areas primarily related to cyberspace and cyber-electromagnetic operations.  Agency Report (AR), Tab 2, Performance Work Statement, at 1.  Services sought by the RFP include supporting A-MCCO in conducting technology-related training and RDT&E operations, together with administrative and supply functions required to support these operations.  Id. The solicitation contemplated the issuance of a hybrid fixed-price/cost-plus-fixed-fee/cost-reimbursement task order with a 1-year base period and three 1-year option periods.  AR, Tab 17, RFP, at 1.  Under the RFP’s evaluation scheme, the agency would conduct a best-value tradeoff considering each offeror’s cost/price and its technical approach, with the technical evaluation factor of significantly more importance than the cost/price factor.  Id. at 13.  Additionally, an offeror’s proposal would need to receive an acceptable rating under the small business participation factor and a “[m]eets” or “[e]xceeds” under the transition-in plan factor to be eligible for award.  Id.  For the small business participation factor, offerors were required to propose a total small business participation minimum goal of 25 percent of total task order dollars.  Id.