INNOVIM, LLC (1305M221QNWWX0025)

B-419912,B-419912.2 Sep 21, 2021 Jump To FULL REPORT VIEW DECISION RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights INNOVIM, LLC, a women-owned small business (WOSB) of Greenbelt, Maryland, protests the issuance of a task order to Earth Resources Technology, Inc. (ERT) of Laurel, Maryland, pursuant to task order request for proposals (TORP) No. 1305M221QNWWX0025, which was issued by the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for scientific support services. The protester, who is also the incumbent here, contends that the agency unreasonably evaluated its technical 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:  INNOVIM, LLC File:  B-419912; B-419912.2 Date:  September 21, 2021 Robert J. Symon, Esq., Patrick R. Quigley, Esq., and Sabah Petrov, Esq., Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, for the protester. Richard P. Rector, Esq., and Christie M. Alvarez, Esq., DLA Piper LLP (US), for Earth Resources Technology, Inc., the intervenor. Florence N. Bridges, Esq., Department of Commerce, for the agency. Kasia Dourney, Esq., Todd C. Culliton, Esq., and Evan C. Williams, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST Protest challenging the evaluation of the protester’s technical proposal is denied where there is no basis to conclude that the agency’s evaluation was unreasonable. DECISION INNOVIM, LLC, a women-owned small business (WOSB) of Greenbelt, Maryland, protests the issuance of a task order to Earth Resources Technology, Inc. (ERT) of Laurel, Maryland, pursuant to task order request for proposals (TORP) No. 1305M221QNWWX0025, which was issued by the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for scientific support services.  The protester, who is also the incumbent here, contends that the agency unreasonably evaluated its technical proposal.  We deny the protest. BACKGROUND On February 18, 2021, pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 16.5, the agency issued the solicitation to WOSBs holding the agency’s professional, scientific, and technical services satellite domain multiple-award indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts.  Agency Report (AR), exh. 1, TORP at 1, 3, 21.  The TORP sought proposals for scientific support services to the agency’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC), and contemplated a 1-year base performance period and four 1-year option periods.[1]  PWS at 2.  Offerors were advised that NOAA intended to award a single hybrid fixed-price and time-and-materials task order, on a best-value tradeoff basis.  TORP at 3. The solicitation instructed that proposals would be evaluated on the basis of three factors, listed in descending order of importance:  technical approach; management approach; and price.  TORP at 28.  The technical approach factor was more important than the management approach factor, and the non-price factors, when combined, were significantly more important than price.  Id. at 29. Regarding the technical approach factor, the solicitation advised that the agency would evaluate whether offerors demonstrated their capability to accomplish the requirements set forth in the PWS.  TORP at 25.  The PWS required the selected contractor to improve, update, and enhance existing tools and products used by the CPC, including developing and making improvements to sub-seasonal Arctic sea ice products, sub-seasonal and seasonal drought products, severe weather products, extreme heat outlooks, and tropical cyclone outlooks.  PWS at 3.  The PWS also required the selected contractor to improve various climate data sets used to monitor the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, and land surface.  Id. at 4. For their management approaches, offerors were instructed to submit a comprehensive management structure plan that articulates efficient and effective staff management.  TORP at 26.  Offerors were required to identify staff recruitment and retention techniques, a work‑management plan for employee turnover, performance evaluation plans, transition plans, and key personnel.  Id.  The solicitation advised that the agency would evaluate an offeror’s understanding of the requirement, and demonstrated capability to perform the contract.  Id. at 29-30.  The agency received proposals from three offerors, including INNOVIM and ERT.  AR, exh. 5, Technical Evaluation Team (TET) Report at 2.  After evaluating proposals, the TET assigned INNOVIM’s and ERT’s proposals the following ratings:[2]   INNOVIM ERT Technical Approach Acceptable Outstanding Management Approach Good Good Overall Rating Acceptable Outstanding Total Evaluated Price[3] $22,058,969 $21,979,349   Id.