Metson Marine Services, Inc. (N32205-20-R-4127)

B-419114.2,B-419114.3 Jan 26, 2021 Jump To FULL REPORT VIEW DECISION RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights Metson Marine Services, Inc., a small business of Ventura, California, protests the award of a contract to Pacific Maritime Group, Inc., a small business of San Diego, California, under request for proposals (RFP) N32205-20-R-4127, issued by the Department of the Navy, Military Sealift Command, for one passenger vessel to provide support for training exercises. The protester alleges that the agency unreasonably evaluated the awardee's proposal. 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:  Metson Marine Services, Inc. File:  B-419114.2; B-419114.3 Date:  January 26, 2021 Wayne A. Keup, Esq., Wayne A. Keup, PLLC, for the protester. Clinton D. Hubbard, Esq., Law Offices of Clinton D. Hubbard, for the intervenor. Robert Young, Esq., and Jeffrey Davenport, Esq., Department of the Navy, for the agency. Christine Milne, 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 proposal is denied where the record shows that the evaluation was consistent with the solicitation’s terms and conditions, as well as applicable procurement statutes and regulations. DECISION Metson Marine Services, Inc., a small business of Ventura, California, protests the award of a contract to Pacific Maritime Group, Inc., a small business of San Diego, California, under request for proposals (RFP) N32205-20-R-4127, issued by the Department of the Navy, Military Sealift Command, for one passenger vessel to provide support for training exercises.  The protester alleges that the agency unreasonably evaluated the awardee’s proposal.  We deny the protest. BACKGROUND On July 20, 2020, the agency issued the RFP pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 12 and subpart 13.5 for one United States flag, uninspected, passenger vessel to provide support for training exercises at and around Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, California.  Agency Report (AR), Tab 5, RFP, Customized Portion at 24-25; Tab 6, RFP, Standard Portion at 36; Tab 4, Acquisition Strategy at 16‑17.[1]  The RFP contemplated the award of a fixed-price contract to be performed over a 1-year base period and two 1-year option periods.  AR, Tab 4, Acquisition Strategy at 19-20.  Award was to be made on a lowest-price, technically acceptable basis considering four factors:  critical submission data, technical, past performance, and price.  AR, Tab 6, Standard Portion at 167-168.  The critical submission data, technical and past performance factors would be evaluated on an acceptable/unacceptable basis.  Id. at 171. Under the technical factor, the solicitation required 17 minimum vessel characteristics, seven of which are relevant here.  AR, Tab 5, RFP, Customized Portion at 25-28.  The RFP required that the vessel have the endurance to support at sea operations for up to five days without resupply; messing and berthing for 10 passengers at sea for five days; and a minimum deck space of 1,700 square feet.  Id.  The solicitation also required the vessel be certified to transport certain levels of explosives to be used for such activities as underwater detonations and salvage operations.  Id.  The solicitation further required that the vessel provide a minimum of 500 gallons of potable water and an additional 250 gallons of fresh water daily; be capable of a single to three-point mooring in water depths of 180 to 200 feet; and be able to perform at sea transfer of personnel and cargo alongside or astern.  Id. The solicitation explained that offerors must submit “[a] technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with (or acknowledgement of, as appropriate) the requirements in the solicitation.  This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary.”  AR, Tab 6, Standard Portion at 154.  An offer would be evaluated based on the technical capability of the vessels proposed.  Id.