Protest of ICC Contract Award for Procurement of Data Processing Services

In a request for proposals for the procurement of data processing services by the Interstate Commerce Commission, there were four categories set out for evaluation: benchmark, conversion, cost, and technical presentation. The primary contract was awarded to the offeror with the highest total point score and the next highest total point score was awarded the secondary contract. Offers were submitted by four firms. The protester asserted that in the conversion category there was inadequate disclosure of the conversion evaluation criteria and the importance of submitting a conversion plan was not emphasized. On the contrary, GAO asserted that adequate effort was made by the agency to provide the necessary information. Noting that the protester received the second highest score for conversion, GAO saw no evidence that the protester was misled. GAO also found no reason to question the evaluation made by the procuring agency. The consideration of cost and personnel assignment in the evaluation of the conversion plan was proper even though such subcriteria were not specifically disclosed to the offerors. Since the protests concerning benchmark evaluation of the protester's equipment, the agency's evaluation of another offeror's proposal, and alleged failure of the agency to question ambiguities in the protester's proposal were untimely filed, GAO did not consider these matters.