Global Consulting International, LLC (16697)

B-423018 Jan 02, 2025 Jump To VIEW DECISION DOWNLOADS RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights Global Consulting International, LLC, a small business of Salt Lake City, Utah, protests the issuance of a task order to Decypher Technologies, Ltd., under task order proposal request (TOPR) No. 16697. The Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency (DHA), issued the TOPR for medical staffing services. The protester argues that the agency unreasonably evaluated its proposal under the management plan factor and performed a flawed best-value evaluation. We deny the protest. View Decision Decision Matter of: Global Consulting International, LLC File: B-423018 Date: January 2, 2025 Kenneth A. Martin, Esq., The Martin Law Firm, PLLC, for the protester. Johnathan M. Bailey, Esq., Kristin E. Zachman, Esq., and Rachel Moreau-Davila, Esq., Cokinos Young, for Decypher Technologies, Ltd., the intervenor. Jason R. Smith, Esq., and Jillian C. Kaido, Esq., Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency, for the agency. Hannah G. Barnes, Esq., and Christina Sklarew, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST 1. Protest that the agency unreasonably evaluated the protester’s proposal under the management plan factor is denied where the agency’s evaluation was reasonable and consistent with the terms of the solicitation. 2. Protest that the agency performed a flawed best-value determination is denied where the agency’s actions were reasonable and consistent with the terms of the solicitation. DECISION Global Consulting International, LLC, a small business of Salt Lake City, Utah, protests the issuance of a task order to Decypher Technologies, Ltd., under task order proposal request (TOPR) No. 16697. The Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency (DHA), issued the TOPR for medical staffing services. The protester argues that the agency unreasonably evaluated its proposal under the management plan factor and performed a flawed best-value evaluation. We deny the protest. BACKGROUND DHA issued the TOPR on July 22, 2024, pursuant to the procedures in Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 16.5, to firms holding DHA’s Medical Q-Coded Services indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ), multiple-award contract for health care staffing requirements at military medical treatment facilities. Agency Report (AR), Tab 3, TOPR at 1-2. The solicitation sought ancillary healthcare services, including clinical pharmacists, physical therapy assistants, and phlebotomy technicians. Id. at 11. The TOPR contemplated the issuance of a firm, fixed-price task order with a one-year base period of performance and two one-year option periods. Id. at 1, 2. The TOPR provided for award on a best-value basis, considering three factors: management plan, past performance, and price. Id. at 3. The solicitation advised that the two non-price factors carried equal weight, and when combined, were more important than price. Id. at 8. The solicitation also informed offerors that award could be made to a “higher-rated, higher-priced offer if the Government determines that the higher-rated, higher-priced proposal is in the best interest of the Government.” Id. at 7. The solicitation stated that under the management plan factor, proposals would receive an adjectival rating of unacceptable, marginal, acceptable, good, or outstanding. Id. at 8-9. Proposals would be rated under the past performance factor with a confidence rating of no confidence, limited confidence, neutral confidence, satisfactory confidence, or substantial confidence. Id. at 9. The solicitation advised that prices would be evaluated for reasonableness and completeness. Id. at 10. The TOPR also provided for the identification of strengths, weaknesses, significant weaknesses, and deficiencies. Id. at 7. Under the management plan factor, the solicitation advised that the agency would evaluate the completeness and feasibility of offerors’ staffing plans by reviewing their approach to recruiting and retention. Id. at 8. As relevant here, the TOPR instructed offerors to address, “[a]t a minimum,” certain aspects of its staffing plan, including “[i]nformation demonstrating the offeror’s performance history as it pertains to historical retention rates on projects similar in size, scope and complexity to the subject requirements.” Id. at 6, 8. The agency received timely proposals from twenty-one firms, including Global and Decypher. Contracting Officer’s Statement (COS) at 6.