Tuknik Government Services, LLC (B-422862.2)

You should not care.

Category: Technical evaluation, past performance, best value tradeoff

Date: 30 December 2024

URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-422862.2

Tuknik Government Services, LLC, protested the Department of State's issuance of a task order under an RFQ for cloud program management IT services, claiming errors in evaluation and best value tradeoff. Tuknik alleged that the agency improperly rated both its own and Improvix Technologies’s quotes, particularly concerning technical factors and past performance. GAO determined the evaluation and award decision were reasonable, consistent with the solicitation, and supported by the record.

Evaluation of Improvix’s proposal: Tuknik argued that Improvix's transition plan and past performance were improperly rated as "high confidence." GAO found the evaluation supported by the record, noting Improvix’s comprehensive approach and superior past performance ratings. Subcontractor concerns raised by Tuknik did not reflect systemic issues.

Evaluation of Tuknik’s proposal: Tuknik claimed its ratings for experience, recruitment, and staffing should have been higher. GAO concluded the agency’s evaluation was reasonable, noting Tuknik’s lower ratings in key areas compared to Improvix.

Best-value determination: Improvix was rated higher technically across all factors and offered a price approximately $20 million lower than Tuknik. GAO found the agency’s tradeoff decision logical and in line with the RFQ's guidance that price would become the deciding factor as technical merits equalized.

The protest was denied.

Digest

Protest challenging the agency’s evaluation of quotations is denied where the agency’s evaluation was reasonable and consistent with the terms of the solicitation and applicable procurement law.