Quantum Ventura, Inc. (B-423603)

You should not care.

Category: Timeliness, cost proposal

Date: 23 July 2025

URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423603

Quantum Ventura, Inc., a San Jose-based small business, protested DOD Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM’s) rejection of its phase I proposal under the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) BAA No. SOCOM25D-004. The procurement sought research for downrange crosswind sensing technologies. Quantum Ventura argued its proposal only appeared noncompliant on the division of work and pricing due to flaws in the agency-provided cost template, claiming the template lacked columns for indirect costs and profit, thus creating confusion.

Interpretation of cost template instructions: The agency’s interpretation—that all indirect costs be built into labor rates—was both clear on the face of the template and consistent with common federal procurement practice.

Failure to timely challenge: Quantum Ventura was required to protest the terms of the solicitation (including the template design and use of “fully loaded” rates) before the proposal due date or within 10 days of knowledge. Quantum did not protest until after the rejection notice, making the protest untimely under GAO regulations.

GAO dismissed the protest as an untimely challenge to the solicitation's terms.

Digest

Protest challenging agency’s evaluation of phase I proposal is dismissed as untimely where challenge is based on an alleged defect in the broad agency announcement that was apparent from the face of the announcement, but protest was not brought until after the closing date for submission of proposals.