IM Systems Group, Inc.—Reconsideration (B-422727.4)

You should not care.

Category: Reconsideration, technical evaluation, cost or price evaluation

Date: 28 May 2025

URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-422727.4

IM Systems Group, Inc. (IMSG), requested reconsideration of GAO’s prior decision denying its protest of the issuance of a NOAA task order for scientific and technical services under a ProTech 2.0 Satellite Domain IDIQ. IMSG argued GAO erred by not addressing specific supplemental protest points regarding the evaluation of its proposed labor mix and the documentation supporting price analysis. IMSG contended that GAO was required to specifically address each protest ground and that NOAA’s price evaluation was inadequately documented in the record.

GAO confirmed it is not required to address every protest ground at length in its written decisions, as long as all issues are considered. GAO interpreted the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) statutes as conferring discretion on the tribunal to summarize issues in the interest of expeditious protest resolution. IMSG’s argument that 31 USC § 3554(a)(3) compels GAO to utilize the “express option” for supplemental grounds and to address each one in detail was rejected. GAO also found no merit in IMSG’s challenges to the price evaluation documentation, noting that IMSG’s arguments would effectively require a price realism analysis not solicited by the RFP and that the agency’s price analysis was sufficient and consistent with applicable criteria.

The request for reconsideration was denied. Requesters are reminded that reiteration of arguments or disagreement with prior outcomes will not meet GAO’s reconsideration standard. Agencies following reasonable evaluation and documentation practices, as set forth in solicitation and regulations, are highly likely to prevail at GAO, with little recourse for disappointed offerors.

Digest

Request for reconsideration of prior decision is denied where the request does not show that our earlier decision contained an error of fact or law, or present information not previously considered that would merit modification or reversal.