Protest Spotlight

(This regular feature highlights protests decided by the Government Accountability Office.)

Agency: Air Force

Awardee: Mahto Construction

Protester: International Waste Industries

What GAO found: International Waste Industries protested the Air Force's award to Mahto for a solid waste incinerator at Wake Island, arguing the service improperly found its proposal technically unacceptable. IWI also claims the Air Force improperly had discussions with other vendors that it did not have with IWI.

The GAO concluded the Air Force did conduct discussions with Mahto, meaning it was required to conduct discussions with all other vendors, and sustained the protest. However, the incinerator has already been delivered and the vast majority of the contract work is already complete. Because termination of the contract is not feasible, the GAO recommended the Air Force reimburse IWI the cost of preparing its proposal and the cost of pursuing its protest.

The decision: http://www.gao.gov/assets/680/671439.pdf