Aquila Fitness Consulting Systems, Ltd. (B-423173)

You should not care.

Category: Multiple award schedule, Part 19

Date: 21 February 2025

URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-422831.2%2Cb-422831.3

Aquila Fitness Consulting Systems, Ltd., a small business in Miami, Florida, protested a US Marshals Service (USMS) solicitation issued under the GSA Schedules program for physical readiness and wellness program services at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. Aquila argued that the agency’s decision to set aside the solicitation for women-owned small business (WOSB) concerns was unreasonable:

Part 19 applicability to GSA Schedules: GAO reiterated that while FAR part 19 small business requirements generally do not apply to MAS procurements under FAR subpart 8.4, agencies have discretion to set aside orders for small business concerns.

Market research sufficiency: Aquila claimed that the Marshals Service's market research did not adequately confirm whether the WOSB vendors could meet the solicitation’s requirements at a fair and reasonable price, citing FAR 19.1505. Again, inapplicable.

GAO dismissed the protest.

Digest

Protest challenging the agency’s decision to set aside a Federal Supply Schedule (MAS) procurement for women-owned small businesses is dismissed for failure to state a valid basis of protest because th