Vectrus continues fight for Afghan contract

Vectrus Inc., the former division of Exelis that was spun out in September, is continuing its fight for a $245 million U.S. Army contract to support Afghan army and police facilities in northern Afghanistan.

The contract was held by Exelis for about five years, and when Vectrus was spun out in September, the contract went with it. But the recompete was lost to IDS International Government Services. The company filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office, which was dismissed when the Army pulled the award back to re-evaluate bids.

That was a win for Vectrus, but now the company has filed a new protest because it is objecting to amendments to the solicitation as it undergoes revisions. Often, companies make pre-award protests not to stop an award but to create a record for a later, post-award protest.

Under this contract, the Army is buying a variety of services to support facilities in northern Afghanistan. These services include maintenance, repairs and renovation of critical infrastructure. Systems that Vectrus has been supporting include water, waste water, heating and cooling and power generation.

Vectrus continues to do the work under a $3 million bridge contract.