Protests Against Awards of Helicopter Service Contracts for Bases in Various National Forests

The protester objected to the awards of several contracts, contending that the evaluation of bids which resulted in the awards was in error. Although the contracting agency admitted that various awards made for helicopter services, as well as the method of cost evaluation, were erroneous, the awards were not disturbed since the Forest Service stated that complete disruption of the current fire season plans would result from such action. Where the Forest Service advised that erroneous contracts would not be renewed, proper cost evaluation criteria should be established to assure that valid minimum needs are obtained at the lowest possible cost under future procurements.