The solicitation required proposed staff to possess specific certifications. The agency rejected the protester’s proposal because one of the proposed individuals lacked a required certification. The protester conceded its proposed individual lacked the required certification. But the protester argued the individual possessed a different certification that exceeded the required certification. GAO wasn’t persuaded. The solicitation required a specific certification and did not allow substitutes.
French Consulting GmbH, GAO B-421515
Background
DoD issued a solicitation seeking information technology services. The solicitation required offerors to propose personnel who met certain certification requirements. If an offeror failed to meet those certification requirements, their proposal would not be considered.
B. French Consulting submitted a proposal. DoD determined B. French had not complied with the certification requirements. An individual B. French proposed for a desk support position did not have the required IAT level II security certification. B. French protested its exclusion.
Analysis
B. French conceded the individual it proposed for desk support lacked IAT level II security certification. Nevertheless, B. French argued this individual had a different certification that exceeded IAT level II clearance.
GAO did not find the argument compelling. The solicitation required IAT level II certification. It did not permit substitute certification. B. French’s individual lacked the required certification. Its proposal was unacceptable.
French is represented by Ronald E. Pacheco. The intervenor, Vectrus Systems, is represented by Adam K. Lasky and Stephanie Magnell of Seyfarth Shaw LLP. The agency is represented by Wayne Branom of the Department of Defense. GAO attorneys Michelle E. Litteken and Christina Sklarew participated in the decision.
–Case summary by Craig LaChance, Senior Editor
