Global Consulting International, LLC (B-423018)

You should not care.

Category: Technical evaluation, best value tradeoff

Date: 2 January 2025

URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423018

Global Consulting International, LLC, a small business, protested the issuance of a task order to Decypher Technologies, Ltd., by DOD’s Defense Health Agency (DHA). The solicitation sought ancillary healthcare staffing for military medical facilities under a firm fixed-price task order. Global challenged the agency's evaluation of its management plan and the best value determination, contending that DHA's assessment of its quote was flawed and inconsistent with the solicitation.

The protest focused on two main issues:

1. Management plan evaluation: DHA identified a significant weakness in Global's quote, citing a lack of discussion on historical projects to contextualize retention rates. Global argued the solicitation required only retention data, not detailed project descriptions. GAO sided with DHA, reasoning that discussing retention rates without connecting them to relevant projects failed to meet the solicitation’s requirements.
2. Best-value tradeoff: Global claimed DHA arbitrarily awarded to Decypher and inadequately justified the price premium. GAO found DHA provided a reasoned explanation, noting Decypher’s superior management plan, relevant military treatment facility experience, and ability to manage large contracts.

Protest denied.

Digest
Protest that the agency unreasonably evaluated the protester’s proposal under the management plan factor is denied where the agency’s evaluation was reasonable and consistent with the terms of the solicitation. Protest that the agency performed a flawed best-value determination is denied where the agency’s actions were reasonable and consistent with the terms of the solicitation.