Army Acquisition

GAO found no reason to object to the Army's decision to award the Reserve Component Automation System contract. Applicable laws and regulations were followed; a proper cost and technical analysis was done; and the Source Selection Authority fully documented the rationale for the decision not to make the award to the lowest bidder. The request for proposals clearly stated that technical capability would be considered more important than cost. The source selection authority concluded that the technical capability of Boeing Computer Services' proposed system more than offset the difference in cost, although cost was considered in this decision. This process fully conformed to the source selection plan and the information provided to all prospective offerers in the request for proposals.

GAO found that the: (1) Army properly followed applicable laws and regulations and performed a proper cost and technical analysis; (2) Army's source selection authority properly prepared the necessary pre-solicitation and solicitation documents including an acquisition strategy, acquisition plan, and a source selection plan; (3) Army listed the five evaluation factors in order of priority and noted that the successful contractor would be the one that provided the best cost and technical capabilities; (4) Army solicitation clearly communicated the priority of technical capabilities over cost concerns; (5) Army properly determined that the awardee's proposed system more than offset its higher bid; and (6) procurement fully conformed with the source selection plan and the Army provided adequate information to all prospective offerers in the solicitation.