GAO releases ACV protest decision

The Government Accountability Office today released a redacted version of the comptroller general's decision to deny a bid protest filed by General Dynamics Land Systems that challenged the award of the next-generation amphibious vehicle contract by the Marine Corps to Science Applications International.

As Inside the Navy reported last week:

On Dec. 7, 2016, GDLS filed a protest with the GAO for the first phase of a two-step procurement for the development of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle Increment 1.1. The total value of the contract awarded to SAIC if all options are exercised is $1.2 billion.

"As explained in our decision, General Dynamics challenged, among other things, the Marine Corps' evaluation of the company's proposal and the agency's decision in this best value procurement to select SAIC's higher-rated, higher-priced proposal over the lower-rated, lower-priced proposal submitted by General Dynamics," according to a GAO statement sent to Inside Defense. "GAO concluded that the Marine Corps' evaluation of the General Dynamics proposal was reasonable and consistent with the evaluation scheme identified in the solicitation."

GAO also concluded the decision to select SAIC's higher-rated, but higher-priced proposal was within the Marine Corps' discretion when conducting a best value procurement, the statement reads.

"Because this protest decision contains proprietary and source selection sensitive information, release of the decision, at this point is limited to Marine Corps personnel and to outside counsel who have been admitted under the GAO protective order issued for these protests," according to the statement.

GAO's redacted decision document issued this week reveals that GDLS had offered an $869 million bid, while SAIC offered a $1.2 billion bid.