Sierra Lobo’s proposal price of $54.6 million was 12 percent higher than SelectTech’s $48 million price, the lowest of three bids the government received, the GAO said. But the government’s request for proposals had stated that the contract would be awarded on a “best value” basis and that non-price factors including technical expertise, staffing plans, past performance/company capabilities and technical approach, when combined, would be more important than price in deciding the contract award, the GAO noted.
The U.S. General Services Administration, acting in behalf of the AFRL, rated Sierra Lobo’s proposal superior to that of SelectTech. The GAO ruled the government reasonably concluded that Sierra Lobo’s proposals for providing technical expertise and meeting short-term staffing needs of the AFRL exceeded SelectTech’s, even though Sierra Lobo quoted higher labor rates.
Scott Sullivan, president of SelectTech, said Thursday he had received the GAO’s report just a day earlier. Sullivan said he could not comment on his company’s response until he more closely examined the GAO’s findings.
SelectTech, based in Centerville, provides engineering, information technology, communications and other services for Defense Department agencies. The GAO, auditing and investigative arm of Congress, examines and decides protests of federal contract awards.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2242 or jnolan@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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