Affiliation under the ostensible subcontractor rule is determined at the time of proposal submission–and can’t be “fixed” by later changes.
In a recent size appeal decision, the SBA Office of Hearing and Appeals confirmed that a contractor’s affiliation with its proposed subcontractor could not be mitigated by changes in subcontracting relationships after final proposals were submitted.
In Greener Construction Services, Inc., SBA No. SIZ-5782 (Oct. 12, 2016), the U.S. Army Contracting Command sought solid waste disposal and recycling services at its Blossom Point Research Facility. The solicitation was set aside for 8(a) Program participants under NAICS code 562111, Solid Waste Collection, with a size standard of $38.5 million.
Greener Construction, Inc. submitted its final proposal on September 15, 2015. The proposal included one subcontractor, EnviroSolutions, Inc. No other subcontractors were mentioned.
Under the teaming agreement between the parties, EnviroSolutions was to provide the solid waste collection bins, trucks, and drivers for the project. In addition, EnviroSolutions’ supervisory staff were to be on site during the first month of contract performance to assist with personnel training. In fact, of the five key employees identified in Greener Construction’s proposal, four were employed by EnviroSolutions. Greener Construction was also prohibited from adding another subcontractor without EnviroSolutions’ written consent.
Greener Construction was awarded the contract on September 25, 2015. An unsuccessful offeror challenged the award alleging that Greener Construction was other than small because it was affiliated with EnviroSolutions and its subsidiaries under the ostensible subcontractor affiliation rule.
On July 29, 2016, the SBA Area Office issued its size determination, which found Greener Construction to be “other than small.” The Area Office concluded Greener Construction and EnviroSolutions were affiliated under the ostensible subcontractor rule because EnviroSolutions was responsible for the primary and vital aspects of the solicitation—the collection and transportation of solid waste.
Greener Construction appealed the decision to OHA. Greener Construction argued EnviroSolutions would not be solely responsible for performing the primary and vital tasks because, after submitting its final proposal, Greener Construction had made arrangements with other companies to perform these functions. Greener Construction further argued it was actually going to provide the onsite waste receptacles, not EnviroSolutions.
OHA was not convinced. OHA wrote that under the SBA’s size regulations, “compliance with the ostensible subcontractor rule is determined as of the date of final proposal revisions.” For that reason, “changes of approach occurring after the date of final proposals do not affect a firm’s compliance with the ostensible subcontractor rule . . ..”
In this case, Greener Construction submitted its initial proposal on September 15, 2015, “and there were no subsequent proposal revisions.” Greener Construction’s proposal “made no mention” of any other subcontractors but EnviroSolutions, and required EnviroSolutions’ consent to add any other subcontractors. Moreover, the proposal stated that EnviroSolutions “will provide front load containers as specified in the solicitation.” Therefore, the arguments advanced by Greener Construction on appeal “are inconsistent with, and contradicted by [Greener Construction’s] proposal and Teaming Agreement.” OHA denied Greener Construction’s size appeal.
Greener Construction demonstrates the importance of carefully considering ostensible subcontractor affiliation before submitting proposals. Because ostensible subcontractor affiliation is determined at the time final proposals are submitted, contractors must be mindful of the rule and make sure that the proposal, teaming agreement, and any other contemporaneous documentation reflects an absence of affiliation.