Automated Precision, Inc (B-422063.2)

You should not care.

Category: Buy American, technical specifications

Date: 18 June 2025

URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-422063.2

Automated Precision, Inc. (API), protested the award of a contract to Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, Inc., by the US Navy under RFP No. N68335-22-R-0163 for laser trackers and related components for the V-22 aircraft. API argued that its proposal was improperly rejected due to a failure to meet solicitation requirements, particularly regarding the Buy American certificate and technical specifications.

Key issues included the agency's assessment of API’s technical acceptability concerning the relative humidity requirement and a missing Buy American certificate. GAO found that the Navy’s actions were within its discretion, emphasizing that the solicitation's compliance requirements must be strictly adhered to, particularly when multiple discussions had previously informed API of its offer deficiencies.

The protest was denied, as GAO ruled that API's proposal was technically unacceptable due to the failure to submit the required Buy American certificate, which was a material requirement.

Digest

1. Protest that agency improperly rejected protester’s proposal is denied where the protester failed to provide a certification required by solicitation provision implementing relevant Buy American requirements.
2. Protester is not an interested party to challenge other aspects of agency’s evaluation where the protester was not eligible for award as a result of submitting a technically unacceptable proposal.