The protester argued that the agency improperly evaluated its technical proposal. The main issue revolved around whether the agency's evaluation of the protester's organizational experience was reasonable and aligned with the solicitation's requirements. GAO upheld the agency’s evaluation. It affirmed that the protester's proposal did not sufficiently demonstrate the required breadth and depth of relevant experience.
Matter of CIYIS, LLC, GAO B-423146.2
- Background - The protester, CIYIS, LLC, submitted a proposal for IT services. The agency found CIYIS’s organizational experience unacceptable due to insufficient breadth and depth of relevant experience. CIYIS challenged the evaluation in its protest.
- Unacceptable Experience Evaluation - CIYIS contested the Navy's determination of its proposal as unacceptable under the organizational experience factor. It argued that the evaluation was unfairly based on an erroneous application of recency criteria. GAO disagreed. GAO concluded that CIYIS had not clearly demonstrated the required experience and upheld the agency’s decision.
- Depth and Breadth of Experience - Another point of contention was the specific details CIYIS provided regarding its experience in designated key areas. CIYIS argued that it had sufficient expertise in data and AI, as well as in security. However, GAO noted that the proposal lacked critical details and emphasized that it is the offeror’s responsibility to submit a clear proposal. GAO ruled that CIYIS’s submission did not meet the RFP's requirements for demonstrating relevant experience in these areas.
- Recency Criteria Application - CIYIS also argued that the agency inconsistently applied the recency criteria, leading to an unfair assessment of its proposal. GAO determined that the agency correctly followed the RFP’s guidelines, which mandated that only experience post-January 1, 2019, be considered. The agency's findings on the limited duration of CIYIS's previous contracts were appropriate. This validated the agency's conclusion that CIYIS's experience did not align with the solicitation's requirements.
The protester is represented by Christian Y. Sellu of CIYIS, LLC. The government is represented by Tracey L. Ferguson, Esq., of the Department of the Navy. GAO attorneys Heather Weiner, Esq., and Jennifer D. Westfall-McGrail, Esq. participated in the decision.