$271M special operations contract poised to draw more protesters

At least one disappointed bidder – Leidos – is protesting a Special Operations Command contract worth $271.6 million that went to Adams Communications and Technology Inc. But other protests may be in the works.

DRS Technologies filed a pre-award protest but it was dismissed in February by the Government Accountability Office as premature because SOCOM said it would debrief all the companies after an award was made. So there is a possibility that they could re-enter the fray.

There also is the incumbent contractor AASKI Technology Inc.

The contract is known as STAMP for SOCOM Tactical Airborne Multi-Sensor Platforms and was awarded under the Rapid Response Third Generation vehicle, commonly called R2-3G.

The contract covers support for aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance collection, contractor logistics support, operations and sustainment, training and engineering support, according to an Army presentation on STAMP and other business opportunities. The presentation dates from 2015.

STAMP will support five manned aerial reconnaissance and surveillance systems, known as MARSS. These systems fly aboard aircraft such as the C-12, the King Air 350 and the de Havilland Canada Dash 7 and Dash 8.

Work under the contract will take place in the United States and as part of SOCOM’s Overseas Contingency Operations.

Leidos filed its protest on March 7 and a ruling by GAO is expected by June 15. We’ll keep an eye out for others that may file.