Gemini Tech Services, LLC (W15QKN-23-R-0041)

B-421911,B-421911.2 Nov 22, 2023 Jump To FULL REPORT VIEW DECISION RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights Gemini Tech Services, LLC (Gemini), a small business of Willow Park, Texas, protests the issuance of a task order to Management Analysis Technologies, Inc. (MAT), a small business of Fredericksburg, Virginia, under request for proposals (RFP) No. W15QKN-23-R-0041, issued by the Department of the Army for program management, transition counselor, and help desk support services for the Army National Guard (ARNG). Gemini challenges the agency's evaluation of proposals and the resulting source 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 version has been approved for public release. Decision Matter of: Gemini Tech Services, LLC File: B-421911; B-421911.2 Date: November 22, 2023 Matthew T. Schoonover, Esq., Matthew P. Moriarty, Esq., John M. Mattox II, Esq., Ian P. Patterson, Esq., and Timothy Laughlin, Esq., Schoonover & Moriarty LLC, for the protester. Wade L. Brown, Esq., and Kenneth Gilliland, Esq., Department of the Army, for the agency. Suresh S. Boodram, Esq., Nathaniel S. Canfield, Esq., and Evan D. Wesser, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST Protest challenging the agency’s evaluation of proposals and source selection decision is denied where the agency’s evaluation was reasonable, adequately documented, and consistent with the terms of the solicitation. DECISION Gemini Tech Services, LLC (Gemini), a small business of Willow Park, Texas, protests the issuance of a task order to Management Analysis Technologies, Inc. (MAT), a small business of Fredericksburg, Virginia, under request for proposals (RFP) No. W15QKN‑23‑R‑0041, issued by the Department of the Army for program management, transition counselor, and help desk support services for the Army National Guard (ARNG). Gemini challenges the agency’s evaluation of proposals and the resulting source selection decision. We deny the protest. BACKGROUND The ARNG’s Guard Strength Enhancement Program (GSEP) supports the ARNG in transitioning soldiers at active component installations to reserve components through reserve component career counseling. Contracting Officer’s Statement and Memorandum of Law (COS/MOL) at 2. Reserve component career counselors work with Army retention professionals as ambassadors for the Army to transition qualified soldiers into either the ARNG or United States Army Reserve. Id. Another key element to ARNG’s mission is to recruit qualified soldiers with prior military service into the ARNG from the Individual Ready Reserve. Id. The instant procurement is intended to fulfill the ARNG’s need for program management, transition counseling, GSEP coordination with reserve component career counselors, and helpdesk support. Id. The Army issued request for proposals (RFP) No. W15QKN‑23‑R‑0041, on May 11, 2023, pursuant to the procedures in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 16.5, to firms holding the Army’s Human Resource Solutions 5th Generation, Recruitment, Management and Administrative Support multiple‑award indefinite‑delivery, indefinite‑quantity (IDIQ) contracts. Agency Report (AR), Tab 5.b, RFP at 1. The RFP, which the Army amended once, contemplated issuance of a single fixed‑price task order with cost‑reimbursement line items for other direct costs including travel. Id. The task order period of performance will consist of a 12‑month base period (inclusive of a 30‑day entrance transition period) and four 12‑month option periods. Id. The RFP provided that award would be made on a best‑value tradeoff basis considering technical and cost/price factors, with the technical factor being more important than cost/price. AR, Tab 5.c, Task Order Evaluation Plan (TOEP) at 1. The technical factor consisted of four evaluation areas: technical approach;[1] staffing approach; management process; and transition plan. Id. at 3. The RFP advised offerors that these areas were not subfactors and would not be separately weighted. Id. With respect to the staffing approach area, the RFP instructed offerors to submit a detailed explanation of their staffing methodology, cross‑utilization of personnel, and basis for calculating annual productive hours. Id. at 4‑5. Additionally, offerors were to complete a staffing approach matrix spreadsheet, and to describe their approach to staffing, recruiting, and retention, as well as their plans to minimize turnover rates and vacancy time. Id. In the management process area, offerors were to provide clearly defined management and organization processes and procedures that will ensure that the offeror can meet the stated performance objectives. Id. at 5.