Economic Systems, Inc. (RFQ-1766993)

B-423747,B-423747.2 Aug 22, 2025 Jump To FULL REPORT VIEW DECISION RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights Economic Systems, Inc. (EconSys), of Vienna, Virginia, protests the intended sole-source issuance of a purchase order to Government Retirements and Benefits, Inc. (GRB), of Alexandria, Virginia, under request for quotations (RFQ) No. 1766993, issued by the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), for software licenses to the GRB platform. EconSys argues that the intended sole-source purchase order to GRB is improper because EconSys offers a product with identical functionality. We dismiss the protest. View Decision Decision Matter of: Economic Systems, Inc. File: B-423747; B-423747.2 Date: August 22, 2025 James S. DelSordo, for the protester. Robert D. Banfield, Esq., Department of the Interior, for the agency. Todd C. Culliton, Esq., and Tania Calhoun, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST Protest allegation that the agency unreasonably limited sources is dismissed where the protester is not an interested party to raise the allegation. DECISION Economic Systems, Inc. (EconSys), of Vienna, Virginia, protests the intended sole‑source issuance of a purchase order to Government Retirements and Benefits, Inc. (GRB), of Alexandria, Virginia, under request for quotations (RFQ) No. 1766993, issued by the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), for software licenses to the GRB platform. EconSys argues that the intended sole-source purchase order to GRB is improper because EconSys offers a product with identical functionality. We dismiss the protest. BACKGROUND On July 8, 2025, the NPS issued a notice, titled “Sole Source Notification (Not a Request for Information or Quote),” explaining that it intended to issue a purchase order to renew licenses for GRB’s Full Platform software. Req. for Dismissal, exh. 1, eBuy Cover Page at 1; Req. for Dismissal, exh. 2, Limited Sources Justification at 1. The GRB platform is a trademarked retirement benefits system platform that supports agency human resource employees, as well as provides employees at-large with personalized statements of their current benefits. Limited Sources Justification at 1. The licenses would renew for a 1-year period. Id. The notice cited Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subsection 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B) as authority to restrict competition. Limited Sources Justification at 1. The notice explained that GRB is the only source capable of providing the GRB platform, which the agency has used for over 12 years and has over 25,000 employee profiles saved within the system. Id. at 2. The notice also explained that other platforms, while similar, would require significant adaptation to meet the agency’s needs. Id. The notice also cited FAR subsection 8.405‑6(a)(1)(i)(C) as alternative authority to restrict competition. Limited Sources Justification at 2. The notice explained that the agency’s requirement is a logical follow-on to the original order placed to procure the GRB platform. Id. Further, the notice explained that changing to a new system would be costly and disruptive to agency employees. Id. While the notice explained the various difficulties, challenges, and expenses associated with utilizing a different platform, it advised “[t]his requirement will be posted on GSA [General Services Administration] ebuy as a special notice and potential sources may respond.” Limited Sources Justification at 2. The notice repeated this invitation in the following paragraph: 7. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made. The market analysis will be ongoing to determine if comparable products have been developed which will suit our need. This requirement will be posted on GSA eBuy as a special notice [] so that potential sources may respond. Id. at 3. The notice also included a requested close date of July 25, 2025. eBuy Cover Page at 1. Additionally, the notice also included the following advisement: This is notification of a sole source action to [GRB]. This is posting the justification and intent to award a sole source action. This is not a request for quote and is not a request for information, but a public announcement of the intent to sole source. Id. On July 22, EconSys filed this protest with our Office. DISCUSSION EconSys asserts that the agency’s decision to limit sources to GRB is unreasonable. First, EconSys argues that the agency’s determination that only one source can provide the services is inaccurate because it offers a platform that provides the same functionality as the GRB platform. Protest at 7.