Valiant Government Services, LLC (W50NH9-25-R-EUC3)

B-423740,B-423740.2 Nov 26, 2025 Jump To FULL REPORT VIEW DECISION RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights Valiant Government Services, LLC, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, protests the issuance of a task order to The Mission Essential Group, LLC, of New Albany, Ohio, under request for task order proposals (RTOP) No. W50NH925REUC3, issued by the Department of the Army for linguist services. The protester alleges that the agency unreasonably failed to assign strengths to its proposal, treated proposals unequally, failed to amend the RTOP in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) section 15.206 when the agency's requirements changed, and performed a flawed best-value tradeoff. We deny the protest. View Decision 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. Matter of: Valiant Government Services, LLC File: B-423740; B-423740.2 Date: November 26, 2025 Daniel R. Forman, Esq., Cherie J. Owen, Esq., and Roxanne N. Cassidy, Esq., Crowell & Moring LLP, for the protester. Craig A. Holman, Esq., Stuart W. Turner, Esq., Amanda J. Sherwood, Esq., Nicole A. Williamson, Esq., and Samantha C. Smith, Esq., Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, for The Mission Essential Group, LLC, the intervenor. Captain Sana H. Daniell, and Captain Lindsay M. DeFer, Department of the Army, for the agency. Nathaniel S. Canfield, Esq., and Evan D. Wesser, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST 1. Protest alleging the agency unreasonably failed to assign strengths to the protester's proposal is denied where the agency's evaluation was reasonable and in accordance with the solicitation. 2. Protest that the agency disparately evaluated the proposals of the protester and the awardee is denied where the record shows that the agency equally evaluated the proposals in accordance with the terms of the solicitation. 3. Protest alleging that the agency was required to amend the solicitation due to material changes in the agency's requirements is denied where the solicitation contemplated ongoing fluctuations of requirements and such fluctuations occurred after the solicitation was issued. DECISION Valiant Government Services, LLC, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, protests the issuance of a task order to The Mission Essential Group, LLC, of New Albany, Ohio, under request for task order proposals (RTOP) No. W50NH925REUC3, issued by the Department of the Army for linguist services. The protester alleges that the agency unreasonably failed to assign strengths to its proposal, treated proposals unequally, failed to amend the RTOP in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) section 15.206 when the agency's requirements changed, and performed a flawed best‑value tradeoff. We deny the protest. BACKGROUND Pursuant to FAR subpart 16.5, the agency issued the RTOP on December 20, 2024, to firms within the force protection pool (other than small business) under the Department of Defense Language Interpretation and Translation Enterprise II multiple‑award, indefinite‑delivery, indefinite‑quantity (IDIQ) contract. Contracting Officer's Statement (COS) at 1‑2.[1] The RTOP, which the agency amended twice, sought proposals for linguist support services required for the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command. Id. The protester currently provides linguist services in support of U.S. forces in Europe under a task order known as EUCOM II. Id. at 2; Agency Report (AR), Tab 3, Consolidation Determination & Findings (D&F) at 1‑2. Mission Essential, the intervenor here, currently provides linguist services in support of U.S. forces in Kosovo under another task order. COS at 2; AR, Tab 3, Consolidation D&F at 1‑2. The task order to be issued here, known as EUCOM III, combines those two requirements under a single task order. COS at 2; AR, Tab 3, Consolidation D&F at 1. The RTOP contemplated issuance of a single time‑and‑materials task order with cost‑reimbursement line items for other direct costs, travel, and Defense Base Act insurance.[2] COS at 2; AR, Tab 23, RTOP at 4. The period of performance comprises a 1‑year base period, four 1‑year options, and one additional 6‑month option. RTOP at 4, 23. The RTOP stated that the agency would make its source selection decision on a best‑value tradeoff basis, considering three factors: continuity and transition plan; past performance; and cost/price. Id. at 94. The continuity and transition plan factor encompassed continuity plan and transition plan subfactors, with the continuity plan subfactor being more important than the transition plan subfactor. Id. at 94, 98. The continuity and transition plan factor was significantly more important than the past performance factor, and the past performance factor was more important than the cost/price factor. Id. at 98.