Covenant Aviation Security LLC (70T05025R5900N001)

B-423995,B-423995.2 Feb 11, 2026 Jump To FULL REPORT VIEW DECISION RELATED PAGES GAO CONTACTS Highlights Covenant Aviation Security, LLC (CAS), of Bolingbrook, Illinois, protests the issuance of a task order to VMD Systems Integrators, LLC, of McLean, Virginia, under task order request for proposals (TORFP) No. 70T05025R5900N001, issued by the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), for security screening services at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, California. The protester primarily contends that the agency unreasonably evaluated VMD's past performance, performed an improper price realism analysis, and conducted an improper best-value tradeoff analysis. We deny 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: Covenant Aviation Security LLC File: B-423995; B-423995.2 Date: February 11, 2026 Dana B. Pashkoff, Esq., Asher F. Young, Esq., and Jessica C. Abrahams, Esq., Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, for the protester. Craig A. Holman, Esq., Thomas A. Pettit, Esq., and Kristina Lorch, Esq., Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, for VMD Systems Integrators, LLC, the intervenor. Michael Kiffney, Esq., and Christopher J. Curry, Esq., Department of Homeland Security, for the agency. Christine Martin, Esq., and Tania Calhoun, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, GAO, participated in the preparation of the decision. DIGEST 1. Protest challenging agency's evaluation of awardee's past performance is denied where the record shows that the evaluation was reasonable and in accordance with the terms of the solicitation. 2. Protest that the agency performed an improper price realism analysis by failing to consider the awardee's blended rate for regular and premium hours and lack of certain non-labor costs is denied where the record shows the agency considered the blended rate and the non-labor costs in accordance with the terms of the solicitation. 4. Protest that the agency performed an improper best-value tradeoff analysis for failing to look behind the adjectival ratings and consider the relative merits of proposals is denied where the record shows that the agency meaningfully considered the relative merits of the proposals and weighed them during its analysis. DECISION Covenant Aviation Security, LLC (CAS), of Bolingbrook, Illinois, protests the issuance of a task order to VMD Systems Integrators, LLC, of McLean, Virginia, under task order request for proposals (TORFP) No. 70T05025R5900N001, issued by the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), for security screening services at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, California. The protester primarily contends that the agency unreasonably evaluated VMD's past performance, performed an improper price realism analysis, and conducted an improper best-value tradeoff analysis. We deny the protest. BACKGROUND The TSA issued the TORFP on December 19, 2024, pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation section 16.505, to holders of TSA's screening partnership program (SPP) multiple award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for comprehensive security screening services to be provided at SFO. Agency Report (AR), Tab 1, TORFP at BATES 0001, ¶¶ B, B.1.[1] The services to be provided primarily included security screening of passengers and baggage and ensuring the security of designated security areas. AR, Tab 2, TORFP, amend. 0001 at ¶ C.1.3. The SPP was launched in 2004 and includes the contracting with qualified contractors to provide private security screening under TSA oversight at federalized airports that have applied to be part of the program. Transportation Security Administration, Screening Partnership Program, https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/factsheets/screening-partnership-program (last visited Feb. 2, 2026). CAS is the incumbent contractor for this requirement and has been since the program began. The task order is to be performed over one 6-month transition period, four 1-year option periods, and one 6-month option period. AR, Tab 1, TORFP at BATES 0003-0017. The TORFP contemplated the issuance of a fixed-price task order to the offeror providing the best value to the government considering price and these non-price factors: (1) cost efficiency; (2) operational readiness approach; (3) transition approach; (4) project management and training approach; and (5) past performance. [2] AR, Tab 4, TORFP, amend. 0003 at ¶¶ M.2, M.3. Factors 2-4 were each more important than factor 5, and, when factors 2-5 were combined, they were significantly more important than price (factor 6).[3] As the non-price merits of proposals became equal, price became more important in the best-value tradeoff analysis. Id. at ¶ M.4.