Tech Systems, Inc. (W519TC-23-R-0018)

B-421838 Oct 05, 2023 Jump To VIEW DECISION DOWNLOADS RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights LOGMET LLC, of Round Rock, Texas, protests the terms of request for proposals (RFP) No. W519TC-23-R-0018, issued by the Department of the Army for logistics support services at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii (SBHI). LOGMET alleges that the solicitation is flawed because it fails to include essential information needed to promote a uniform and fair competition between non-incumbent contractors and the incumbent firm. We deny the protest. View Decision Decision Matter of: LOGMET LLC File: B‑421838 Date: October 5, 2023 Wayne C. Rankin for the protester. Debra J. Talley, Esq., and George P. Farley, Esq., Department of the Army, for the agency. Sarah T. Zaffina, Esq., and Jennifer D. Westfall‑McGrail, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST Protest that solicitation does not adequately communicate the agency’s requirements and lacks essential information needed to prepare competitive proposals because it does not include workload data is denied where the solicitation provides sufficient information to enable offerors to compete intelligently and on a relatively equal basis. DECISION LOGMET LLC, of Round Rock, Texas, protests the terms of request for proposals (RFP) No. W519TC‑23‑R‑0018, issued by the Department of the Army for logistics support services at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii (SBHI). LOGMET alleges that the solicitation is flawed because it fails to include essential information needed to promote a uniform and fair competition between non‑incumbent contractors and the incumbent firm. We deny the protest. BACKGROUND The agency issued the RFP on June 1, 2023, for the purpose of awarding a “follow‑on” contract for logistics support, consisting primarily of maintenance, supply, and transportation services, at the SBHI installation. Agency Report (AR), Tab 3, RFP at 1‑2.[1] The solicitation, which was issued to holders of the Army’s Enhanced Acquisition Global Logistics Enterprise (EAGLE II) basic ordering agreement (BOA), contemplates the issuance of a task order to a small business holding an EAGLE II BOA. The RFP includes both cost‑plus‑fixed‑fee and fixed-price line items and contemplates performance for a 1‑year base period and four 1‑year option periods. RFP at 2. The solicitation provides for the evaluation of proposals under technical, past performance, and price factors, with award to be made to the responsible offeror with the lowest‑priced, technically acceptable proposal receiving a substantial confidence rating for past performance. Id. at 2, 63. The solicitation includes a performance work statement (PWS) describing the maintenance, supply, and transportation services to be provided. The PWS informs prospective offerors that the task order is not limited to current customer units and that the Army’s support requirements will continue to evolve over the life of the task order with a “near certainty” that the level of effort and services will fluctuate within the scope of the PWS. Tab 69b, RFP amend. 5, PWS at 7‑8. The PWS reiterates that the resulting award is a performance‑based effort and advises offerors that the “[r]eferenced publications, regulations, and guidance in this PWS provide specific performance metrics.” Id. at 7. As relevant here, the solicitation instructs offerors to propose a staffing mix and labor categories that “present a staffing approach which demonstrates a thorough understanding of the effort and provides the expected skill sets/skill level of each position, to include level of responsibility in order to successfully perform the specific workload requirements and meet all the PWS requirements.” RFP at 48. The RFP further advises that the proposed price should be based on the technical approach. Id. at 54. Under the technical approach factor, the agency will evaluate how the proposal: [d]emonstrates an adequate understanding of the effort by providing appropriate staffing that is realistic and feasible to successfully perform the specific workload requirements in Attachment 0036‑‑TD‑02 SBHI Workload Data and Density List and the PWS requirements identified therein. Staffing levels support the provided workload requirements for both the base period and option periods (fully operational capable 12‑month/365[‑]day periods). Id. at 65. The solicitation includes historic workload information to assist offerors in developing their proposals but does not specify minimum hours for the requirements. PWS at 8; COS/MOL at 2. The agency explains that to facilitate innovation in technical proposals, “the Army no longer provides a minimum number of hours” in solicitations for task orders under the EAGLE II multiple‑award BOA. COS/MOL at 2.