GAO denies second protest over $7.7B NGEN services contract

(Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include a statement from the Naval Enterprise Networks program office.)

The Government Accountability Office this week denied the second bid protest filed against a $7.7 billion contract awarded to Leidos in February.

Perspecta in March protested the award for a services contract associated with the Navy's Next Generation Enterprise Network program, which provides the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet. Perspecta was the competition’s incumbent.

GAO updated its docket yesterday, but has not yet published a summary of the decision. The watchdog agency also denied General Dynamics Information Technology's protest of the award. GAO also has yet to publish that decision.

Gerry Fasano, Leidos Defense Group president, said the company expanded "our preparations" for the program while waiting for the protest decisions.

A spokeswoman for Perspecta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for General Dynamics declined to comment on GAO’s decision.

GAO’s decisions also clear the way for the Navy and Leidos to begin work under the contract.

"The GAO's findings validates our approach, the fairness of our evaluation process and the work of our team on this important acquisition effort," said Capt. Ben McNeal, program manager for the Naval Enterprise Networks program office.