IBS Government Services, Inc. (HHM40225Q0025)

B-423583 Aug 29, 2025 Jump To VIEW DECISION DOWNLOADS RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights IBS Government Services, Inc., a small business of Potomac, Maryland, protests the issuance of a task order to RMA Associates, LLC, a small business of Arlington, Virginia, under request for quotations (RFQ) No. HHM40225Q0025, issued by the Department of Defense, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), for financial audit support services. IBS primarily asserts that the agency unreasonably evaluated its quotation. We deny the protest. View Decision Decision Matter of: IBS Government Services, Inc. File: B-423583 Date: August 29, 2025 Anthony H. Sung, for the protester. Alexander J. Brittin, Esq., Brittin Law Group, PLLC, for RMA Associates, LLC, the intervenor. Max D. Houtz, Esq., Darren S. Gilkes, Esq., and Jeff Meding, Esq., Defense Intelligence Agency, for the agency. Christine Martin, Esq., and Tania Calhoun, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST Protest that the agency unreasonably evaluated the protester’s quotation under the technical and management approach factor is denied where the record shows that the agency reasonably evaluated the protester’s quotation in accordance with the terms of the solicitation. DECISION IBS Government Services, Inc., a small business of Potomac, Maryland, protests the issuance of a task order to RMA Associates, LLC, a small business of Arlington, Virginia, under request for quotations (RFQ) No. HHM40225Q0025, issued by the Department of Defense, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), for financial audit support services. IBS primarily asserts that the agency unreasonably evaluated its quotation. We deny the protest. BACKGROUND DIA issued the solicitation on February 20, 2025, pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 8.4, to vendors holding General Services Administration (GSA) multiple award schedule (MAS) contracts for special item number (SIN) 541219 – Budget and Financial Management Services. Agency Report (AR), Tab 4, RFQ at 1; AR, Tab 4, RFQ, amend. 04 at 155[1]; Contracting Officer’s Statement (COS) at 2. The RFQ was issued via the GSA e‑Buy website as a competitive set-aside for section 8(a) small businesses. RFQ at 1; RFQ, amend. 04 at 155. The contemplated contract is for onsite financial subject matter expertise in the form of audit support services for the Mission Services Office of Logistics & Global Readiness and the Office of the Surgeon General. In particular, the contractor assists with the acquire-to-require (A2R) financial audit process by developing and improving business practices and internal controls to achieve and sustain an unqualified audit opinion for property, plant, and equipment. RFQ, amend. 04, Performance Work Statement (PWS) at 138-139. The RFQ contemplated the issuance of a fixed-price task order with a 1-year base period, four 1-year option periods, and a possible 6-month extension. RFQ, amend. 04 at 155. Award would be made to the vendor providing the best value, considering price and three non-price factors: (1) security; (2) GSA MAS 8(a) status; and (3) technical and management approach.[2] Id. at 162‑163. The technical and management approach factor had two subfactors: (1) technical capability, management approach, and staffing; and (2) relevant prior experience. Id. at 159‑160, 162. Under the technical and management approach factor, vendors were to provide a plan demonstrating their technical approach to meeting the PWS requirements, and their knowledge and expertise. Id. at 159. Under the first subfactor, vendors were to describe their program management plan, and the processes used to identify, screen, select, and hire personnel to meet staffing requirements. Id. at 159-160. Under the second subfactor, vendors were to submit up to five similar past performance references, each with a minimum performance duration of one year, and all performed within the last five years. Id. at 160. “Similar” was defined as “projects comparable in terms of services performed or level of Contractor responsibility and authority, duration, and dollar value.” Id. Quotations would be evaluated based on a vendor’s understanding of the PWS requirements, their plan for management and management structure, staffing, recruiting, employee retention, and personnel qualifications, and their relevant prior experience. Id. at 162.