C4CJV, LLC (B-423512.2)

You should not care.

Category: Compliance, FAR 16.5 vs. Part 15, interested party

Date: 31 July 2025

URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423512.2

C4CJV protested a Navy IT enterprise support award to PCG‑SMX JV. GAO denied the protest because C4CJV’s proposal was unawardable: a proposed subcontractor failed to submit the required cost workbook, a material omission under section L that prevented the Navy from assessing indirects and fees. Under the RFP and FAR 16.5 ordering, the agency could strictly enforce submission requirements and assign a deficiency, rendering C4CJV ineligible and not an interested party to press other challenges:

• Material cost/price requirement: The missing subcontractor workbook meant the Navy could not verify key cost elements, so a deficiency was reasonable and dispositive.
• Procedural posture: As the quote was unawardable, GAO dismissed remaining allegations for lack of standing; task-order competition under FAR section 16.5 did not obligate the Navy to relax section L or cure the omission.

The protest was denied

Digest

1. Protest challenging the agency’s evaluation and assignment of a deficiency to protester’s cost/price proposal is denied where the agency’s evaluation was reasonable and in accordance with the terms of the solicitation.
2. Protester is not an interested party to raise the remaining allegations.