Washington Business Dynamics, LLC (RFQ-47828)

B-421953,B-421953.2 Dec 18, 2023 Jump To FULL REPORT VIEW DECISION RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights Washington Business Dynamics, LLC (WBD), a small business of Washington, D.C., protests the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) establishment of a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) with VPD Government Solutions (VPD), a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) of Arlington, Virginia, pursuant to request for quotations (RFQ) No. 47828, issued for procurement and acquisition support services. The protester challenges the agency's evaluation of quotations and best-value decision as unreasonable. We sustain 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: Washington Business Dynamics, LLC File: B-421953; B-421953.2 Date: December 18, 2023 Amy C. Hoang, Esq., Stephanie B. Magnell, Esq., Erica L. Bakies, Esq., and Bret C. Marfut, Esq., Seyfarth Shaw LLP, for the protester. Stephen L. Bacon, Esq., Lisa N. Himes, Esq., Deborah N. Rodin, Esq., and Cindy Lopez, Esq., Rogers Joseph O’Donnell, PC, for VPD Government Solutions, the intervenor. Emily E. Warner, Esq., Office of Personnel Management; Meagan K. Guerzon, Esq., Small Business Administration, for the agencies. Michael P. Grogan, Esq., and Evan D. Wesser, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST 1. Protester is an interested party to challenge the agency’s establishment of a blanket purchase agreement set aside for service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns where its eligibility is based on its size status at the time of its initial offer for and award of its Federal Supply Schedule contract. 2. Protest challenging the agency’s evaluation of quotations and resulting award decision is sustained where the agency’s evaluation was unreasonable, inconsistent with the terms of the solicitation, and inadequately documented. DECISION Washington Business Dynamics, LLC (WBD), a small business of Washington, D.C., protests the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) establishment of a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) with VPD Government Solutions (VPD), a service-disabled veteran‑owned small business (SDVOSB) of Arlington, Virginia, pursuant to request for quotations (RFQ) No. 47828, issued for procurement and acquisition support services. The protester challenges the agency’s evaluation of quotations and best-value decision as unreasonable. We sustain the protest. BACKGROUND The agency issued the RFQ on January 26, 2023, pursuant to the procedures of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 8.4, to SDVOSB firms holding the General Services Administration’s (GSA) multiple-award federal supply schedule (FSS) contract for professional services (category 541611). Agency Report (AR), Tab 2.2, Revised RFQ at 69.[1] The solicitation contemplated the establishment of a single BPA, with fixed-price contract line items, with a 1‑year base ordering period of performance and four 1‑year option periods. Id. at 72-73. Through the RFQ, OPM sought acquisition support services, to include all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, and supervision necessary to perform services as defined in the performance work statement (PWS). Id. at 73. Specifically, the PWS identified the four following principal performance requirements, all of which included specific subtasks with performance standards: (1) assisting program office personnel develop and prepare acquisition requirements packages; (2) preparing pre-award and post-award documentation for program requirements; (3) providing administrative support to the Office of Procurement Operations; and (4) performing system administration for procurement systems. Id. at 79-85. The solicitation advised that award would be made on a best-value tradeoff basis, considering three factors: (1) technical capabilities, staffing classification, and management approach; (2) past performance; and (3) price. Id. at 92-93. For each non-price factor, the agency would assign one of three confidence assessment ratings: high confidence; some confidence; low confidence. Id. at 94-95. Only the non-price factors are relevant to the resolution of this protest. As to the technical capabilities, staffing classification, and management approach factor,[2] the RFQ advised that OPM was to evaluate quotations on the degree to which the contractors’ technical capabilities “demonstrate an understanding of all requirements identified in the PWS, as well as the feasibility of the approach.” Id. at 90.