[Protest of DMA Contract Award for Grounds Maintenance]

A firm protested a Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) contract award for grounds maintenance services, contending that DMA improperly awarded the contract using noncompetitive procedures. GAO held that DMA: (1) improperly awarded the contract; and (2) use of noncompetitive contracting procedures was due to a lack of advanced planning. Accordingly, the protest was sustained and GAO recommended that DMA reimburse the protester for its protest costs.