[Request for Reconsideration of Protest of HHS Contract Award for Preventive Maintenance Services]

A firm requested reconsideration of the corrective action GAO recommended in a sustained protest against a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) contract award for preventive maintenance services. GAO had recommended that HHS reopen discussions and request another round of best and final offers (BAFO). In its request for reconsideration, the protester contended that since the bids had been revealed under the prior decision, requesting another round of BAFO would constitute an improper auction. GAO held that the disclosure of bid prices under the prior decision did not provide any basis for it to modify its recommendation, since the risk of an auction is secondary to the need to preserve the integrity of the competitive procurement system. Accordingly, the request for reconsideration was denied.