Wherry Housing Project Renovation at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed certain matters relating to a $12.9 million Air Force contract awarded to a firm for the renovation of military family housing units.

GAO found that: (1) the solicitation was issued before its required Staff Judge Advocate's Office review; (2) the synopsis of the requirement was published only 5 days before the solicitation was issued; (3) under the provisions of an applicable Defense Acquisition Regulation, there is authority to allow or disallow a contractor's request to correct a mistake in its bid; and (4) the Air Force acted properly in allowing the contractor to correct the bid mistake after reviewing the request and receiving favorable advice from legal counsel. GAO also found that: (1) the contract contained a vague production schedule provision; (2) the decision to increase the number of apartments to be made available for renovation at any one time was appropriate and allowable under the vague language of the production schedule; (3) the Staff Judge Advocate's Office found no basis to support a default termination against the contractor for not beginning work on the date called for in the contract; (4) there was no requirement for the contractor to hire local residents; and (5) the method and materials used to renovate the housing units complied with contract requirements.