Nuclear award draws protests from incumbent, challenger

One incumbent and a second disappointed bidder are complaining that the Defense Threat Reduction Agency made a mistake when it picked CENTRA Technology to assess nuclear weapon systems.

CENTRA wrestled the work earlier this month from incumbent Ensco, who has filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office as has another bidder PAE.

The contract has a $78 million ceiling for up to five years, according to Deltek.

The winning company will assess mission systems, networks, architectures, infrastructures and other assets for survivability.

DTRA uses the assessments monitor mission continuity as well as threats from accidents, natural disasters and technology failures. There also are threats from cyberattacks, terrorists and sabotage.

The winning company needs to provide a range of subject matter experts and be flexible enough to add or subtract experts depending on DTRA’s needs.

Solicitation documents describe how assessments teams can range in size from one person to 14. The contractor also needs to respond to surge requirements within 45 days of notification.

Given the nature of the work, contractor employees need top secret and higher clearances.

Ensco has held the contract since 2011.

CENTRA Technology is an employee-owned company with primary facilities in Arlington, Va. and Burlington, Mass. It’s capabilities include cyber, engineering, executive support and advisory services, intelligence, military support, and risk management solutions.

GAO's decisions on the protests by Ensco and PAE are expected by early October.