An agency improperly downgraded a proposal simply because the proposal’s full-time equivalents (FTEs) differed from the agency’s undisclosed internal estimate.

In a recent bid protest decision, the GAO concluded that an agency’s “mechanical” evaluation of the adequacy of an offeror’s proposed staffing by reference to an undisclosed government estimate was improper, because the estimate was not disclosed to the offeror and the agency failed to give the offeror an opportunity to address the differences between the offeror’s proposed staffing and the government estimate.

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The government contracting world has been buzzing about a two-part series published in the Washington Post last week.  The first story in the series questioned whether MicroTech violated the SBA’s affiliation and 8(a) Program rules.  The second piece examined a SDVOSB’s relationship with MicroTech.  Now, the Post reports that two House committees are digging into the allegations.

MicroTech has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing, and could yet be vindicated.  However, the Post stories have some small contractors nervous that they might be inadvertently violating the complex SBA size, affiliation, and/or socioeconomic regulations.

If the Washington Post stories struck a nerve, it’s a good time to consider an internal compliance audit.  I assist companies with thorough internal reviews of potential size and affiliation problems, as well as compliance audits under the 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB programs.  Contact me for a confidential introductory discussion about my small business compliance review services.