[Protest of DOE Contract Award for Environmental Restoration Management]

Two firms protested a Department of Energy (DOE) contract award for environmental restoration management services, contending that DOE: (1) improperly evaluated the bidders' probable performance costs; and (2) improperly evaluated the awardee's subcontractor experience. The second protester also contended that DOE: (1) improperly evaluated its technical and business management bid; and (2) did not conduct meaningful discussions with it regarding its bid deficiencies. GAO held that DOE: (1) improperly evaluated one of the first protester's probable performance costs; (2) properly evaluated the second protester's bid; (3) conducted meaningful discussions with the second protester, since it advised the second protester of deficiencies in its bid; and (4) reasonably evaluated the awardee's experience. Accordingly, the first protest was sustained and the second protest was denied, and GAO recommended that DOE: (1) reevaluate the revised responsive bids; and (2) reimburse the first protester for its protest costs.