Failure To Inform Offerors of Deviations From Agency Estimates Was Improper

Two companies protested the rejection of their proposals and award to any other offeror, claiming that the agency's estimate of man-hours was inflated. Although the agency's estimate was reasonable, it did not adequately inform the protesters of their deviations from estimates. The protesters should be given an opportunity to explain their proposed utilization of man-hours and to have their proposals reevaluated.