Subcontracting Goals Missed; Incumbent’s Past Performance Score Lowered

Posted on February 6, 2015 by SmallGov Contributor

A large incumbent contractor was properly assigned a mere “satisfactory confidence” past performance rating because the large business failed to meet its small business subcontracting goals under four of the five contracts it submitted for evaluation.

In a recent bid protest decision, the GAO upheld the agency’s assignment of a satisfactory confidence score to the large incumbent–despite the incumbent’s strong performance in many areas–because of the incumbent’s failure to satisfy its subcontracting goals.

Spring 2015 Travel: WA, CO & IA

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Steven Koprince

Although it doesn’t feel like it yet, spring is on the way. For me, that means that it’s almost time to hit the road for some government contracts conferences and industry events.

This spring, my travels will take me to Washington State, Colorado, and Iowa for events I am really looking forward to attending.

GAO: “Mechanical” Cost Realism Evaluation Was Improper

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Steven Koprince

An agency’s cost realism evaluation was improper because the agency “mechanically” compared an offeror’s proposed staffing to an undisclosed government estimate.

In a recent bid protest decision, the GAO held that it was improper for the agency to apply its own estimates for labor hours and costs without considering the protester’s unique technical approach.

Task Order Size Status Based On Proposal Date, Not Award Date

Posted on January 30, 2015 by Steven Koprince

A contractor was eligible for award of a small business set-aside task order because the contractor was “small” as of the date of its task order proposal–even though the contractor outgrew the size standard by the time the task order was awarded.

In a recent bid protest decision, the GAO held that a contractor may qualify for the award of a set-aside task order based on the date of its initial proposal, even in cases where the agency is prohibited from taking small business credit for the award.

Task Order Labor Categories Don’t Match Schedule Contract; GAO Sustains Protest

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Steven Koprince

The GAO sustained a protest of the award of a GSA Schedule task order because the labor categories awarded under the task order were outside the scope of the awardee’s underlying GSA Schedule contract.

In a recent bid protest decision, the GAO held that the awardee’s GSA Schedule labor category–management analyst–did not align with the task order solicitation’s requirement for research analysts, general consultants, and legal administrative specialists. As a result, the task order award was improper.

PTAC Spotlight: Iowa PTAP Helps Contractors Prosper

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Steven Koprince

The Iowa State University Procurement Technical Assistance Program provides its clients a wide range of resources thanks to its existence as a part of ISU’s Center for Industrial Research and Service. “We engage with our clients at multiple levels to help them develop successful businesses,” says Pam Russenberger, the statewide PTAP director.

The Iowa PTAP works extensively with small businesses new to the government market, assisting contractors in developing marketing initiatives and preparing their first successful proposals. “Helping a new government contractor receive its first contract, even if it is for only $5,000, is an incredibly rewarding experience,” Russenberger says.

SBA “Adverse Impact” Analysis Not Required For Large Business

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Steven Koprince

The SBA was not required to conduct an “adverse impact” analysis before placing a procurement under the 8(a) program because the company requesting the adverse impact analysis was not a small business under the incumbent contract.

In a recent bid protest decision, the GAO held that the incumbent contractor–which, according to the SBA, had violated the ostensible subcontractor affiliation rule–was not entitled to insist on an adverse impact analysis.